Joe from MINNESOTA asks,
Hi Bill: We have a buck on our farm, in Winona County, that is already in hard antler. Any thoughts?
Bill responds,
Topic: Whitetails in Hard Antler in Late July
Typically, bucks will continue to grow their antlers at least through early August and will shed their velvet in late August and early September. It is very rare for a buck to shed velvet in late July.
Joe,
I have never seen that before so I am sure it not common. I am no expert on deer biology so it is possible that this sometimes happens just like some bucks drop early every year. Not sure on that.
The other option is that his hormones are messed up, usually the result of a being casturated sometimes on a fence, sometimes naturally, etc. But, this usually results in velvet not shedding until way late.
Also, could be an antlered doe, but again, these usually carry velvet well in the fall/winter also. So, I really don’t know. A deer biologist likely would know. Good luck. (8/3/21)
