And let’s not forget that superior, natural forb and browse production can be encouraged on any property through deer habitat improvement that involves a variety of land management practices. But this opens the door to supplements such as protein pellets, whole cottonseed and roasted soybeans. Food plots can work great in areas with dependable rainfall and good soils. In fact, there are many options when it comes to providing additional, high quality foods for whitetail. Landowners and hunters have much more control when it comes to deer nutrition. The size of the property may be a limitation, but the road does not end there. In the situation outlined above, it’s nearly impossible to make meaningful genetic changes in the deer herd. That is, unless you do something different. Genetics for antler growth comes down to WYSIWYG -what you see is what you get. Genetics are obviously important, but they are difficult to manage and this is especially true on small acreages where whitetail management and growing better bucks is the goal. Hunters may see a buck’s best antlers anywhere from 5 1/2 to 8 1/2 years of age. Environmental conditions, buck to doe ratios and other factors all impact this. Just as individual bucks vary in antler quality, I think different bucks peak at different years. There is some debate on when exactly that occurs, but I don’t think there is a single right answer here. Antlers get larger as a buck gets older up to a certain point, then they start declining in size. Points (and plenty of them) tack on the most in terms of a buck’s score, but there are several other measurements, as well as factors, that play a role.Īntler growth in whitetail bucks always comes down to three things: age, genetics and nutrition. The only way to produce and harvest larger bucks is to add inches to antler measurements. A lot of hunters look for a buck with a wide-spreading rack, but I’ll take the heavy-horned freak nasty every time. The months following the rut are critically important for future antler growth because bucks are attempting to fully recover from the intense, grueling breeding season.Īntler size can be improved on bucks through adding points, increasing the lengths of points or by increasing the circumference of existing antler material, thus increasing mass. Additionally, there are likely many other hunters around the US that are also wondering how to increase antler growth in bucks. We have also been told to be very careful on the ratio of the mix and could make the deer “sick.” My question is, what is true and what is false, what’s right and what’s wrong? Is there something else we can do to add antler mass?” Best Ways to Increase Antler Sizeįirst, this is a great question to ask since most of the deer hunting seasons have wrapped up for this winter and because another antler growing cycle is about to start. We were thinking of mixing roasted soybeans with corn for our winter feeders. We have been told by local deer farmers to add protein to their diet. What we seem to be lacking is antler mass. We have established a great heard and do not harvest bucks until they have reached 130 class. We are also involved in the creeps program. We do a buffet of food plots, about 7 acres of turnips, radishes, oats and clovers. Our deer are free ranging and are very low pressured. Question from Mike P.: “I am involved in a small self-management plan on a 90 acre farm in Pennsylvania. It’s often during the deer hunting season that hunters take inventory of the bucks roaming their land, but the time to take action for next year is right now. Good habitat equates to better bucks, but sometimes additional inputs are needed to harness all of the antler-growing potential within bucks found on the property. There are numerous other positives that result from managed whitetail populations, the most important of which are healthier, more diverse plant communities for all wildlife species. Most hunters and property owners involved in deer management are interested in healthy herds and increased antler growth and size in bucks.
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