Bucks with antlers in spring

I have camera photos from Morgan County of a buck with both antlers on March 28, and some of bucks with one antler that late. Another had dropped both but wasn't showing signs of growth; pedicles were red.

I know we have some weirdo deer in the state but has anyone else in North Alabama seen bucks with antlers (one or both) that late or later?

Had two in Colbert a few years ago doing some head butting in turkey season. My son thought a shooting house door was left open and the wind was blowing the door against the box. He went to shut the door and two bucks are banging noggins in the field. Saw two last week on the TVA Reservation in Muscle Shoals still toasting theirs also.

Had a few on camera April 9 in limestone co with both sides.

Interesting. Glad to know mine weren't/aren't the only late droppers.

When I used to turkey hunt on Redstone I would routinely see bucks that still had both sides way up in to turkey season.

I've got a picture stored away somewhere of two bucks in the same picture in early April. One still had their old set and the other had already started growing his new set. I will see if i can post it. This picture was taken out around Gandy's Cove.

Around Troy it has always been common to find fresh scrapes during turkey season. I doubt many engage in the mating rituals without headgear. I saw bucks running in a group several years ago and all had antlers, it was very near the end of turkey season.

I had one last week, a small spike, with antlers standing beside a buck with 2" velvet nubs.

Younger bucks drop their antlers first, usually. I've seen racked bucks in April several times while turkey hunting, this isn't abnormal for deer who rut in January.

I found a fresh scrape line Saturday and I mean fresh made that night. I have trail cams out and have deer pics but none with antlers

“Normal” around here seems to be roughly the last week of March through the last week of April

One of my cameras is over a community scrape with a licking branch hanging over it. The whole scene is textbook. I've never seen one in the area before and almost stepped on it last autumn, immediately hung a camera and have gotten photos of bucks - including a really nice one - along with raccoons, coyotes, an otter, bobcat and skwerrels.

The coyotes pee in the scrape, too. The bucks don't seem to mind and continued using it. I peeded in it, and then got photos of bucks and coyotes checking it and freshening it. Dangest thing I've ever seen. Community, indeed.

[/quote]One of my cameras is over a community scrape with a licking branch hanging over it. The whole scene is textbook. I've never seen one in the area before and almost stepped on it last autumn, immediately hung a camera and have gotten photos of bucks - including a really nice one - along with raccoons, coyotes, an otter, bobcat and skwerrels.

The coyotes pee in the scrape, too. The bucks don't seem to mind and continued using it. I peeded in it, and then got photos of bucks and coyotes checking it and freshening it. Dangest thing I've ever seen. Community, indeed.[/quote]

Educational stuff...I like it! (and I'm not even being sarcastic ..LOL)

Same scrape is there now, too. It hasn't been pawed or raked (with hooves) in weeks but the deer still stop to sniff it. And it's only about 12 inches in diameter, like a dinner plate. Nothing gigantic. But it's right in a travel corridor so they give it lookieloo when they come through.

Saw a nice 8 pt beside I 459 just past hwy 280 first of April.

It’s not unusual at all for bucks to still have their antlers during deer season in Lower Alabama.

Clem, please DON'T post pictures of yourself peeing on that scrape. Dilly Dilly.

Camera doesn't have a macro lens, brother!

Saw 2 racked bucks on south side of 565 10-15 years ago on 4/21. I posted on aldeer asking kinda the same question as clem. Saw a freshly worked scrape with licking branch Friday a week ago while turkey hunting.

They’ll drop from the last few days in January until the middle of April.

I got the last pic of a buck with antler(s) early last week. He had one big spike on one side and had shed the other. I think the 1st one I got that had shed was about March 20.

I know all deer are different, Matt, but what's the deal on a roughly 2.5-month drop period? Trickle rut we don't know about? Weirdo deer?

Clem, the deer that rut during thanksgiving drop their antlers in January and February. The deer that rut in December and January drop theirs in March and April.

My last buck picture that still had antlers was on April 2nd. A bunch of them still had antlers as late as March 20-25.

It's all in the genetics.

April 21 was the last picture I got with antlers still on. Have not checked this week to see if there is ant more still holding them.

Much of antler casting timing has to do with health of the buck coming out of rut. Better health of buck , longer they hold them. Folks get all excited when they see one with antlers in April, this is Alabama. Breeding takes place from November to well into February depending on location. Not a big deal.