Joined Apr 2009
1,485 Posts | 0+
Vaughn, MT 59487
The deer industry has made great strides in antler development. In fact it would appear we have advanced our antler size past the point where the bucks are neck muscled up enough to support their antler size as it grows and still be comfortable.
It would seem there is only one answer to the cure for this new problem our breeding for antler size has caused. Is it as simple as increasing bucks body size as we continue breeding for larger antler size?
I personally believe the breeding problem caused by our emphasis on antler size can be cured by adding equal emphasis on increasing body size of these bucks as part of our breeding program direction.
When we had 200 inch deer most bucks were of the body size of 200 pounds to 250 pounds and most still are that body size but with more antler.
My question if you feel size of buck deer should be increased by selective breeding for that trait to help our large antlered deer live a more comfortable life is what should a 300 inch deer weigh? What should a 400 inch buck weigh? Or is there another answer to increase neck muscle we should be breeding for?
My personal opinion is every inch of deer requires one pound of weight.
300 inch deer= 300 pound deer
400 inch deer= 400 pound deer
I must admit I don’t know the body weight of the big antlered bucks that have had some problem in this area so my thoughts could be wrong here. I’m sure if they are I will be corrected. Just a thought on this nothing more.
It would seem there is only one answer to the cure for this new problem our breeding for antler size has caused. Is it as simple as increasing bucks body size as we continue breeding for larger antler size?
I personally believe the breeding problem caused by our emphasis on antler size can be cured by adding equal emphasis on increasing body size of these bucks as part of our breeding program direction.
When we had 200 inch deer most bucks were of the body size of 200 pounds to 250 pounds and most still are that body size but with more antler.
My question if you feel size of buck deer should be increased by selective breeding for that trait to help our large antlered deer live a more comfortable life is what should a 300 inch deer weigh? What should a 400 inch buck weigh? Or is there another answer to increase neck muscle we should be breeding for?
My personal opinion is every inch of deer requires one pound of weight.
300 inch deer= 300 pound deer
400 inch deer= 400 pound deer
I must admit I don’t know the body weight of the big antlered bucks that have had some problem in this area so my thoughts could be wrong here. I’m sure if they are I will be corrected. Just a thought on this nothing more.
