pedicle damage question........

[mallard239]

do "one sided" racks due to pedicle damage heal themsleves for the next growing season if there is no new damage done, or is the rack ruined for good? thanks.

 

[BSK]

Rack is usually deformed (spike on one side) for life.

 

[mallard239]

does anything else (genetics) cause this? what percentage of bucks have this kind of rack in a well balanced herd?

 

[BSK]

A highly unbalanced rack (one side very different than the other) is rarely genetic. Deer do not have one set of genetics for the left antler and another set of genetics for the right antler. They just have genetics for antlers, like we have genetics for "arms" and "legs." Bilateral symmetry handles growing two of everything that are basically matched (although on very close measurement you will find your left and right arms and legs are slightly different, just like left and right antlers are usually slightly different).

Pedicle damage (and skull/pedicle abcesses, which also cause a deformed antler) are more common than most assume, especially in the Deep South where late rutting activity can tear away or damage pedicles when the antlers are naturally starting to loosen.

 

[mallard239]

if this is a common occurrence in an area,say 50 percent of the bucks showing this, what can be done to help the problem?

 

[BSK]

if this is a common occurrence in an area,say 50 percent of the bucks showing this, what can be done to help the problem?

Nothing. It's not hereditary so you can't "cull it out" of the population.

 

[mallard239]

did i read somewhere that fewer does would shorten the rut and thus lessen late winter fights and resulting pedicle damage? or is fighting not how this damage occurs?

 

[catman529]

While on the topic, and not to hijack, but I have a question for you BSK. I think you may have said something on this before. But have you seen some actual results of pedicle damage from antler traps? Where you know it's the same deer someone trapped a shed from, and he grows a funny antler the next year? Also, would you say a simple log with corn is safer or is it too risky? I figure if the antler bumps against a log, it won't hurt if it's not ready, but it will fall off if it's ready. Just curious. I still want to get a shed by a log sometime.

 

[BSK]

While on the topic, and not to hijack, but I have a question for you BSK. I think you may have said something on this before. But have you seen some actual results of pedicle damage from antler traps? Where you know it's the same deer someone trapped a shed from, and he grows a funny antler the next year? Also, would you say a simple log with corn is safer or is it too risky? I figure if the antler bumps against a log, it won't hurt if it's not ready, but it will fall off if it's ready. Just curious. I still want to get a shed by a log sometime.

I have seen numerous instances of antlers caught in antler traps that had the pedicle torn out. I would not attempt to do anything that causes antlers to be knocked off earlier than normal, with one exception. Probably the most effective antler traps I've ever seen are Texas deer feeding stations. They fence these in with a low fence to keep hogs out. As bucks jump over these low fences (about 4' high) to get to the feeder, the landing on the other side often causes late-season antlers to fall off. Ranches collect a huge number of dropped antlers around the edges of these low-fences.

 

[Football Hunter]

While on the topic, and not to hijack, but I have a question for you BSK. I think you may have said something on this before. But have you seen some actual results of pedicle damage from antler traps? Where you know it's the same deer someone trapped a shed from, and he grows a funny antler the next year? Also, would you say a simple log with corn is safer or is it too risky? I figure if the antler bumps against a log, it won't hurt if it's not ready, but it will fall off if it's ready. Just curious. I still want to get a shed by a log sometime.

I have seen numerous instances of antlers caught in antler traps that had the pedicle torn out. I would not attempt to do anything that causes antlers to be knocked off earlier than normal, with one exception. Probably the most effective antler traps I've ever seen are Texas deer feeding stations. They fence these in with a low fence to keep hogs out. As bucks jump over these low fences (about 4' high) to get to the feeder, the landing on the other side often causes late-season antlers to fall off. Ranches collect a huge number of dropped antlers around the edges of these low-fences.

that makes sense

 

[BSK]

did i read somewhere that fewer does would shorten the rut and thus lessen late winter fights and resulting pedicle damage? or is fighting not how this damage occurs?

In the Deep South, herd dynamics can be a big player in keeping the rut at the time nature designed it to be through Natural Selection, as well as keeping the rut tightly timed. Studies have shown peak breeding shifting a month earlier once herd dynamics are dramatically improved (starting with a highly skewed herd). The farther north, the less effect herd dynamics have. Here in the Midsouth, very good herd dynamics can move the rut forward 7-10 days. North of the Ohio River, it doesn't appear herd dynamics play any role in breeding timing.

And most importantly, good herd dynamics can tighten the rut to be what it should be--95% of breedings occurring over a 5 to 6 week period, with 50+% occurring over a two week period (the "peak of the rut").

Because we've had very good local herd dynamics for some time, I often experience a rut that is a week earlier than others in my county report. And unlike what most others in TN report, we see virtually no signs of a secondary rut. Our local rut is early, short and intense.

 

[mallard239]

ok, so do you see much in the way of one-sided racks that could be due to pedicle damage, and what percent of your bucks have this kind of rack? I may need to hammer the momma rabbits.

 

[BSK]

None. We've never seen it. Probably because our rut is so early (peak breeding centered around approximately Nov. 12-19).