Deer Hunting Tips - How To Get Bigger Antlered Bucks

Sometimes, the most useful deer hunting tips have to do with herd management. To prize hunters, the goal is to harvest a deer with big antlers. We aspire to one day get that huge rack. All of us hear about and tell each other tales of huge antlers; points, spread, diameter, length of tine... However, do you know what really makes a difference in regards to antler size?

There are three main factors that decide the overall size of a buck's antlers.

1. The Deer's Genetics

2. Diet

3. Age

Genetics determine the potential size of the antlers. Science has verified that antler size is an inherited trait among deer. Of course hunters always knew this. Game managers will sometimes limit the size of the antler that is allowed to be harvested to maintain the quality of the herd. By restricting the number of genetically superior kills, the inferior herd is culled and the gene pool is allowed to "antler up" as a result. Though the theory behind this practice is sound, the benefit of the strategy is sometimes questioned because effective culling of the herd is often not effective when related to overall population.

Nutrition is the next contributor to antler size. Regardless of a deer's genetic potential, it won't reach it's optimum level if it doesn't eat the right diet. Professional hunters have each gone through seasons with drought that's affected the natural food sources for deer, and they haven't found any with large antlers. In order for the deer population to realize it's complete antler producing potential, it has to eat a proper diet all year long. Summer and spring diets are the most vital since the majority of antler growth really happens during those seasons. Bad forage conditions throughout this time can negatively effect antler growth. Good habitat management will help promote healthy nutritional options. Sometimes, it's necessary to implement additional feeding.

The final factor is age, however research suggests that once a buck has reached 3+ years of age genetics and nutrition play a larger part in antler growth. The size of the antler tends to increase greatly during the first few years of age and then to level off sometime between the fourth to sixth year depending on the breed and its genetics. For this reason, the harvesting of bucks younger than 4 years is not encouraged. The practice by insensitive hunters of culling bucks that are too young can lead to such colorful expressions from more experienced hunters as, "That deer still had milk on its breath." It is best overall to harvest only the mature bucks. If you are in need of venison and a mature buck is not in evidence then harvest a doe. The hunt next season will reap the benefit.

-->