Do younger bucks drop first?

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richmanbarbeque

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Looking at some trail cam pics from the last few weeks and it seems that the younger bucks were dropping and most of my 2.5 and older were still holding on except one that had one side off. Never noticed if small bucks usually drop earlier than older ones. watcha think?
 
I don't believe yearling bucks collectively should NORMALLY shed before 2 1/2 and older bucks. But I do often see particular yearling bucks that have no antlers before I see most bucks without antlers, keeping in mind every individual buck (regardless of age) has his own "normal" shedding time throughout his life, i.e. some individuals normally shed earlier than most, year after year.

I think it may be more common for yearling bucks (than older bucks) to lightly but traumatically knock off their antlers immediatly prior to natural shedding. I've noticed several early shedding yearlings to have pedical damage, such as maybe there was some light sparring, or possibly just touching the ground, etc., causing the loosening antlers to break off (at the base) prematurely. My thinking is the yearlings are just less experienced at protecting their headgear, and having smaller bases, they would likely "break" off easier by accident a few weeks before simply falling off more "naturally".

The above not to be confused with older bucks "breaking" their antlers while fighting, etc., where "breaking" antlers around the rut may be more common with older bucks.
 
So far in February, I have zero pics of any 2 1/2-yr-old or older bucks which have shed antlers. (I do have lots of pics of bucks with antlers.)

But I did find this shed on Feb. 19th that appears to be from a healthy yearling buck.

201002-19Shed1a.jpg

201002-19Shed1b.jpg

201002-19Shed1c.jpg


The below buck was photographed on 01-20-2010 about 200 yards from where the above shed was found.
I believe this is the buck that shed his right antler sometime prior to 02-19-2010.
201001-20SmallBuckb.jpg
 
He may grow a non-typical antler on that side. But considering he didn't tear out the core of the pedicle he probably won't be a spike-on-one-side buck.
 
As Wes mentioned, I seem to see more "accidental" mid-winter antler breaks and knock-offs on yearling bucks than older bucks, but in a normal year, yearling bucks hold their antlers a long time.

Of course, this winter has been very cold and this would affect smaller bodies young bucks more than older bucks, which might affect antler drop.
 
I think they were more focused on older bucks in the study, but it can happen to any age class. It was a more common cause of mortality as age increased. I looked at a sick yearling buck in December and it had a brain abscess.
 

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