Sometimes, the most useful deer hunting tips have to do with herd management. The large antlered deer are prized among trophy hunters. The bigger the rack, the more valuable the prize. All proud hunters will swap tales of giant antlers, diameter, point count, etc. However, do you know what really makes a difference in regards to antler size?

There are three main things that can influence buck antler size:

1. The Deer’s Genetics

2. Nutrition

3. The Age of the Deer

The genetics of a deer help to determine how big the antlers have the “potential” to get. Science has verified that antler size is an inherited trait among deer. Of course hunters always knew this. Leases are often managed in a way to produce the biggest bucks by limiting the size of the antlers that are permitted to be harvested. The gene pool of a deer population can be “antlered up” by limiting the number of deer that can be killed who have genetically superior racks and increasing the kill rate of those buck with genetically inferior racks. 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 or what a deer has to eat is another factor affecting the size of a deers antlers. Regardless of a deer’s genetic potential, it won’t reach it’s optimum level if it doesn’t eat the right diet.  Most experienced hunters have hunted through seasons where drought has affected the food sources for the deer and the large antlered deer just weren’t there. In order for the deer population to realize it’s complete antler producing potential, it has to eat a proper diet all year long. Most antler growth takes place during the Spring and Summer months so this is the most important time. Bad forage conditions throughout this time can negatively effect antler growth. Good habitat management can help alleviate the toll taken. 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. Usually antler size potential increases throughout the first few years of life. It continues to increase some during the fourth through sixth year. However, the actual growth rate and size depend on the breed of deer and the deers genetics. For this reason, the harvesting of bucks younger than 4 years is not encouraged. I can recall my dad’s complaints when neighbors would kill a two year old buck at a nearby farm and he would sadly make exclamations such as, “That deer still had milk on its breath.” It is recommended that young bucks be allowed to mature fully before being harvested. If you’re not able to kill a mature buck but require venison, shoot a doe. The hunt next season will reap the benefit.

If you really want to learn what it takes to be a master deer hunter, keep these deer hunting tips in mind when your next hunt comes up.

Then visit us at www.Deer-HuntingTips.com to learn the deer hunting tips and secrets the master deer hunters know!