Mountain Lines
by Nelson HMountain Lines
by Nelson Haas
Last year, bucks were still carrying their antlers into March, an unusually long time in Wildlife Management Unit 2-G and 2-H.
This year it seems to be just the opposite. Shed antlers were found in the first week of rifle season and numerous, one-horned bucks were spotted.
Many want to attribute the different shedding seasons to the weather, sunlight, health or nutrition but the major trigger to antler shedding is testosterone levels in the buck.
I would assume that an early antler drop is an indication that the breeding season is over and all does are bred. I’m predicting a high number of fawns this spring. If they survive, bear, coyote and bobcat, we should see another increase in the deer population in 2018.