#2063243 - 09/09/10 07:19 AM
antlers and age
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Bottom Hunter
16 Point
Registered: 12/29/06
Posts: 15480
Loc: Hatchie Bottoms
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Another thread made me think about this and I'd like to get some thoughts on this.....
When stressed, trees and other plants tend to lose their foliage in an attempt to better use the available nutrition to survive.
As bucks age, they tend to lose alot of their antler size...
is this a similar phenomenom.....?
Do older bucks lose their "ability" (due to lack of hormones or other genetic material)to grow big racks or do they just lose some of their ability to utilize the nutrition required to do so......I guess my question is....do older bucks need more nutrition to keep their bodies working properly at an older age , thusly they use less nutrition to form their antlers?
i hope you understand my question...I'm not sure that i do....
maybe more simply put....why do older bucks lose antler size?
thanks
_________________________
There are some people who always seem angry and continuously look for conflict.
Walk away; the battle they are fighting is not with you, but with themselves.
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#2063246 - 09/09/10 07:26 AM
Re: antlers and age
[Re: Bottom Hunter]
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tndrbstr
16 Point
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 12157
Loc: knox co tn
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Think of it in relation to human conditions as far as age and stress goes....biologicly there is not that much differance imo....why do we loose muscle mass, heigt, bone density etc... as we age?...
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#2063319 - 09/09/10 08:05 AM
Re: antlers and age
[Re: tndrbstr]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
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Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59548
Loc: Nashville, TN
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No one knows the answers to your questions Bottom Hunter. But I strongly suspect tndrbstr's answer is the right one.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#2063353 - 09/09/10 08:26 AM
Re: antlers and age
[Re: BSK]
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Robbhorn
6 Point
Registered: 11/03/09
Posts: 543
Loc: Maury County
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I'm guessing here but just like people shrink at old age so do animals. I don't think it's a lack of nutrition because there diet is consistent... I think it's more likely that the nutrition is working to keep them alive and moving which antlers aren't imparative for
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#2063670 - 09/09/10 12:36 PM
Re: antlers and age
[Re: Robbhorn]
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Pursuit Hunter
8 Point
Registered: 10/01/08
Posts: 2084
Loc: Way out there
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Change in hormone levels?
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#2063688 - 09/09/10 12:47 PM
Re: antlers and age
[Re: Pursuit Hunter]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
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Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59548
Loc: Nashville, TN
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Anything is possible. But I suspect it is just the aging process. People over 50 can't grow muscle and bone anywhere near as fast as people in their 20s. The same is probably true of old deer as well.
Although much data exists to suggest bucks don't peak in antler devlopment until 6 1/2, I find it very strange that many bucks I've followed in TN over their life-time seem to peak at 4 1/2. They add mass at 5 1/2 and 6 1/2, but lose beam and tine length.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#2063700 - 09/09/10 12:56 PM
Re: antlers and age
[Re: BSK]
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Pursuit Hunter
8 Point
Registered: 10/01/08
Posts: 2084
Loc: Way out there
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Probably is a lot like people. I know I've got a lot less stuff growin' out the top of my head now than I did 30 years ago.
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#2063712 - 09/09/10 01:02 PM
Re: antlers and age
[Re: Pursuit Hunter]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
Non-Typical
Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59548
Loc: Nashville, TN
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Probably is a lot like people. I know I've got a lot less stuff growin' out the top of my head now than I did 30 years ago.
Unfortunately, I know exactly what you mean!
The other day I happened to catch a trail-cam picture of myself from behind. I was shocked at how thin my hair has gotten on top. I'll soon have a bald spot. 
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#2063731 - 09/09/10 01:16 PM
Re: antlers and age
[Re: BSK]
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MUP
Non-Typical
Registered: 08/01/07
Posts: 36095
Loc: Just North of Chatt-town
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Probably is a lot like people. I know I've got a lot less stuff growin' out the top of my head now than I did 30 years ago. Unfortunately, I know exactly what you mean! The other day I happened to catch a trail-cam picture of myself from behind. I was shocked at how thin my hair has gotten on top. I'll soon have a bald spot.
Whew! I usually wear a cap so at least I won't notice any more than I have to! 
_________________________
MUP
Amateurs: Built the Ark
Professionals: Built the Titanic
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#2063781 - 09/09/10 01:40 PM
Re: antlers and age
[Re: MUP]
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BluegrassDan
4 Point
Registered: 09/14/09
Posts: 395
Loc: Elizabethton, Carter County, T...
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I've read that there may be a relation between antler growth and tooth wear. In other words, as older bucks' teeth wear down they are unable to consume the nutrients needed to grow their racks larger. The nutrients go to other parts of their bodies. Any thoughts?
Edited by BluegrassDan (09/09/10 01:47 PM)
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