End of antler growth?

[waligators]

Typically, when do antlers stop growing on a buck in MN? I did a search and one site said usually August 1st is the end, while another site said around August 20th. I'm guessing it really boils down to each buck individually, and where the testosterone levels are at. Also both sites said the last 2 weeks of growth is all devoted to gaining more mass! Gotta love those thick tree rubbers!

[harvey lee]

I would guess that mid to late August would be about right. Genetics and mineral play a huge role in rack size and I would guess that a late born fawn buck may be a bit later.

I know that the area we hunt does not have alot of mass on the racks but they can grow large. Back to genetics again and the deers heatlh.

[Bear55]

I think a lot of the growth stops early to mid Aug, some might go a little later. Mid to late Aug they are hardening up and the velvet tightens up and then the velvet starts coming off very late Aug to early Sept.

[B. Amish]

i'd say august 1st is about right for majority of bucks most years.

[MUSKY18]

Not really sure but I can tell you this much. Got trail cam pics of a nice 8 point. The tips of his antlers weren't very much past his G3 is the first set of trail cam pics. Just pulled the card this morning and he has grown quite a bit in the last week, but still not done yet. I'm guessing it will be mid to late August before he is done growing. We call him Hollywood because he is constantly on the trail camera, so its easy to watch his progression of growth.

[harvey lee]

Not really sure but I can tell you this much. Got trail cam pics of a nice 8 point. The tips of his antlers weren't very much past his G3 is the first set of trail cam pics. Just pulled the card this morning and he has grown quite a bit in the last week, but still not done yet. I'm guessing it will be mid to late August before he is done growing. We call him Hollywood because he is constantly on the trail camera, so its easy to watch his progression of growth.

Isn't it fun when you get a buck that likes to come to the camera all the time to watch him grow his headgear?

Love watching them as they progress.

[B. Amish]

others i've talked with have mentioned later growth this year as compared to 'normal' years. probably tied to the late spring which is interesting because i think most would argue that antler growth is tied to photoperiod and not weather.

[Bear55]

others i've talked with have mentioned later growth this year as compared to 'normal' years. probably tied to the late spring which is interesting because i think most would argue that antler growth is tied to photoperiod and not weather.

That is an interesting point, I fully expect a lot of bucks to be a bit stunted this year because of the spring. The photoperiod/testosterone levels might have some play in antler growth but without nutrition and overall health it doesn't mean much. We often see much bigger racks up north after a mild winter. After a hard winter they just don't grow as much bone.

[CaptainMusky]

Photoperiod is one thing but rich available forage to promote growth is another. With the late spring everything was delayed unless the herd was supplemented.

[hockeybc69]

How does the late spring equate to anything regarding the end of antler growth?

[CaptainMusky]

Late start = late end. They only grow a certain number of days. Antler growth doesn't magically end on the same day each year and its caused by environmental factors impacting food IMO. But I'm no biologist just what I equate it to.

[Bear55]

I don't think anyone really knows for sure, they bucks could just grow less this year or maybe they grow em a little longer than usual or have a way to kind of play catch up during the growing season. A lot of genetics at play here too and no solid answers.