Quality Deer Management What I can do to grow bigger bucks? Forestry Committee May 2007

Factors Of Antler Growth Genetics Nutrition Age

Genetics Possible import of deer from healthy herds Artificial Insemination???

Nutrition Supplemental food plots Summer & Winter Supplemental minerals Deer Feeders

Age The single most important factor for increased antler size.

Deer are aged in ½ year increments due to the time they are born. Births occur from late spring to early or mid-summer. This is determined by when the does are bred. Higher doe to buck ratio causes later births & reduces the time for antler growth.

Learning how to age Live Deer What to look for: Head Neck Back Belly Brisket Legs

Fawn Bucks Body will be smaller than adult does but larger than a doe fawn Ears will appear long & nose short If antlers are present, they will be small Usually travel alone

1 ½ Years Old Looks like a doe with antlers Thin neck No defined brisket Belly line has a distinct turn upwards near the hams Legs appear too long for body White tarsal glands

2 ½ Years Old Larger neck Long face with tight skin Slightly developed brisket Belly has a small turn toward hams Squared off rump Some color in tarsal glands

3 ½ Years Old Racehorse appearance Larger neck makes face appear shorter Nose broadens Brisket noticeable but not pronounced Flat belly line Flat back line

4 ½ Years Old Slight dip in back Belly does not hang below the chest Head skin will not look tight or loose Front knees won’t look bent when walking Tarsal glands will be black Non-typical points may start to show up

5 ½ Years Eyes appear squinty Brisket is obvious where it joins the neck Belly hangs even or a little below chest Skin on head starts looking loose Often have non- typical points

6 ½ Years Old Front knees bend to handle weight of neck & rack Belly & back sags Brisket obvious Eyes squinted Ears tend to droop when relaxed

Over 6 ½ Years Old In normal habitat, antler & body conditions deteriorate. Begin loosing body mass & muscle tone Shoulders & neck will not appear to be well muscled Usually lighter colored

What Can I Do??? Learn how to age live deer Learn how to age harvested deer Keep harvest records (both bucks & does) –Age –Weight –Antler measurements Provide supplemental minerals & winter food plots Let him go so he can grow!

Aging Harvested Deer

Parts of the jawbone

Parts (cont’d)

When aging, consider… Deer are aged in fractions because they are usually born in June or July and harvested late in the year during the open season Only the lower jawbone can be used to age Tooth wear, replacement, and size of the dentine line are the most important factors to be considered in the aging process

6 Months Old

1-1/2 Year Old

2-1/2 Year Old

3-1/2 Year Old

4-1/2 Year Old

5-1/2 Year Old

Conclusion Look for the tricuspid premolar first, then look at the dentine and wear. When it comes to aging deer, practice makes “almost” perfect