Originally Posted by Mbrock
Originally Posted by Pwyse
Originally Posted by 1bamashooter
Mine will have racks until turkey season a few mature bucks will drop earlier but I have spotted fawns in late Dec early Jan.


Does the time of breeding have anything to do with dropping antlers? I thought it was time of year.

They start to drop antlers when testosterone levels change after breeding. Most earlier breeding populations naturally drop earlier. Healthy deer will actually hold them longer within a localized population, but stress initiates an earlier drop in some individuals, even if breeding is still occurring.



Matt

I’ve noticed over the years that few days leading up to the start of the majority dropping, they start sparring and some times a fresh rub or two pops up. I’ve always attributed it to a sudden spike in testosterone right before they shed.

One year I had pictures of three sparring. I got done checking camera and turned around and there laid one shed off all three deer. Apparently each deer knocked one off that night.

I started getting pictures of sparring last week but still holding. I’m expecting them to start dropping any day.

BTR Scorer in NW Alabama