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antlers on late

D

DJ Johnson

Joined Apr 2009
132 Posts | 0+
Minnesota
My breeder buck still has his antlers on. I know there is time left for him to drop, but I have had others hold on to theirs into May and I don't want that to happen. It seems to happen every year.

I still have him in with the does because I don't want to disturb the other pens by taking him out. I would like him to drop before I move him into another pen.

Could it be because he is in with does his testosterone stays up so he holds them on longer?


Has anyone have this happen to them?
 
We always have a few that hang on to their antlers longer. It is probably just the genetics of that deer. Even if they start growing later, they usually grow longer, so it all works out in the end.
 
Thanks. I hope so.


I had one that started growing out around the other antler and sure don't want that to happen again.


Just seems that every year the one I have in with the does is always the last to shed. Many different buck over the years.
 
Of all the bucks we have. I only have two that have dropped. Now granted most are yearlings that might have something to do with it
 
Im having the same issue with two bucks of mine that as of today, have not dropped their antlers yet and its April 1st, no fools joke :) They are in with the does year round and thinking maybe next year after the rut, I should separate them?


 


Thanks
 
Whiskey Ridge Whitetails910471396365977



Im having the same issue with two bucks of mine that as of today, have not dropped their antlers yet and its April 1st, no fools joke :) They are in with the does year round and thinking maybe next year after the rut, I should separate them?


 


Thanks




I personally dont think being in with does has anything to do with it.  When its time they will come off.  I have some that still have theres still on and never been in with does
 
My intention this winter was to dart all my bucks about mid Feb with a drug to make them drop their antlers so I could combine them all into one pen once they all dropped about the same time. Well this winter was bitter cold and darting that drug was tricky with such cold temps so it never was done as planned. However as of last week all the bucks had dropped their antlers except 2 who are womb brothers. Because they are brothers, and from past experiences I feel it was safe to say that they are genetically more likely to hold them longer. So last Friday they both were darted with the drug. If they drop in about 10 to 12 days time after darting then I will know how it works. It sucks when a buck holds his antlers so long it starts to affect the new antler growth.
 
IndependenceRanch910501396369592



My intention this winter was to dart all my bucks about mid Feb with a drug to make them drop their antlers so I could combine them all into one pen once they all dropped about the same time. Well this winter was bitter cold and darting that drug was tricky with such cold temps so it never was done as planned. However as of last week all the bucks had dropped their antlers except 2 who are womb brothers. Because they are brothers, and from past experiences I feel it was safe to say that they are genetically more likely to hold them longer. So last Friday they both were darted with the drug. If they drop in about 10 to 12 days time after darting then I will know how it works. It sucks when a buck holds his antlers so long it starts to affect the new antler growth.




Roger there is no question that those antlers are coming off. The meds do work. Safe travels bud!
 
I gave the shot to two bucks on Sunday evening   One yearling had full antlers and the other was a cut off two yr old.  I just did chores and both bucks have there antlers yet!  I will keep you posted when they fall off.  I used it on the two yr old last yr and it worked at 7 days!  Can it be possible that certain genetics hold their antlers longer?  JIM
 
It is definitely true that some genetics hold their antlers longer. We still have a couple of half racks on the farm. We really don't worry about it. Just like some bucks come on strong in June and are basically done by the end of July, others are slow starters but grow all through August. Sort of like some kids come into puberty at 12 and others not until later. Don't see any need to spend money on drugs to make something happen that will anyway. Mother Nature knows what she is doing!
 
I had to last year for the new growth went around the old antler it was bad! The shot worked in less than one week JIM
 
Simonson911031396571302



I had to last year for the new growth went around the old antler it was bad! The shot worked in less than one week JIM




In this case that was the best plan of action.  We just had our last one drop last night. Have to admit i was getting a little concerned. Now he has to play catch up as everybody else is up and growing.
 
Simonson911031396571302

I had to last year for the new growth went around the old antler it was bad! The shot worked in less than one week JIM


And there is the main reason for using the drug. There are of course other very valid reasons to use the tool at a growers disposal. But preventing new growth damage is an important one. Keep us informed on your results Jim, and I will let everyone know my results when I find out what happens with my two. Just waiting to hear from my friend Karl and his right hand lady what is happening back there in WI with my bucks. At the given moment I am in the Middle East enjoying the warm weather. LOL
 
I have heard stories and seen photos of bucks that were growing new sprouts off the sides of their old bases. It's absolutely amazing that it can happen but it does happen, you would think the new growth would push off the old. It's kind of like when you cut down a tree in the fall, the stump stays there and in the spring new shoots spring out around it and start to grow. It's all bad if it does happen. I have been fortunate to not have to deal with it, I only have one buck left with one antler out of my 15. I always get one to hold on until mid April, and sometimes they grow the fastest of any. My one breeder is up 3 " with new growth and my other one just shed a side last night and is still carrying a side. It's crazy. I look forward to Jim and Rodger reporting when the drug kicks in on their bucks, I am curious about it.
 
A depo shot will have antler off 5-17 days later with most happening around 9-13. If you do administer the shot, the recommended time frame from my point of view would be January- February with the last week of January and first week of February being ideal. There will be some residual effects from using later in the season I believe.
 
have 2 that have not shed


one shed one side last night and the other is cut off and was our breeder in the avatar


at 1 and 2 he was 3 weeks slow to start compared to the others and grew to the end of August when the rest were basically done the first of the month.


we gave one a shot in December that took 6 weeks or so to shed his cut offs calmed his butt down right away tho
 
Hello all, I just arrived here in Hong Kong and read through my emails and now have the info from Karl about how the antler watch has gone.


Timeline of events would go like this.


On Friday March 28th the last 2 bucks holding antlers were darted with the drug. (Those 2 bucks are also womb brothers and were holding their 2 year old racks.)


One of the brothers dropped his antlers on April 3rd.


The other brother dropped his antlers on April 5th. ( A nice birthday present for me :) )


So one of them took 6 days to drop and one took 8 days. I guess there could be a question as to whether they would have dropped on those days even had they not been given the drug. It does fall inside the window of 5-17 days that Josh gave all of us. I thank Josh for sharing that info.


I can say next year my bucks will be given the drug sooner unless extreme cold weather prevents it.


Looking forward to seeing what Jim finds out with his bucks.
 
IT has been 8 full days since I darted them and both racks are on yet! Hoping to have them come off soon I will report when they do! Thanks JIM
 
good new today the coming two yr old lost his antlers and the coming three yr old lost one side one side to go! 10 days after the shot
 

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