bucks starting to shed!

[rockefeller66]

I haven't seen any yet but hearing lots of stories from all over about people shooting bucks and when they drag them a side or both falls off! Seems early but around here we have had a COLD year, had first good snow on 11-16!

[fisherguy]

Same thing here. I have never seen a buck that shed before our season closes (dec. 15th) until this year. It was an early winter with snow coming early in good amounts, and very cold. We seemed to have a long rut too. I guess the combination has them shedding early. Two days ago we shot a "doe" which was a buck that shed both already, and a buddy shot one today and showed me it had one antler when he shot it, and when dragging it that one popped off.

[rockefeller66]

can't wait to check the cams in a couple weeks to see wha t is really going on!

[IowaDeerHunter]

[ QUOTE ]
can't wait to check the cams in a couple weeks to see wha t is really going on!

[/ QUOTE ]

Def. can't wait!

[Bownarow]

Bucks should really not be shedding yet at this time of year. It is true that towards the end of the season, a bucks antlers will begin to "loosen." Therefore, when dragging a buck out of the woods in the late season, you should take special care not to put a lot of stress on the antlers. Dragging by the front legs with the head off the ground would probably be the best. I've even heard of antlers falling off a bucks head when bouncing along on the back of an ATV. I would say that any bucks you have spotted with missing antlers, would have to be a result of knocking it off, not just shedding.

There's my two cents, and maybe a little more.

[fisherguy]

No, the deer are actually shedding. The hard fall has them in a weakened state and they are dropping early. Today i heard of a couple more deer shot missing antlers, and the one we shot had cleanly shed both at least a week or so earlier looking at the bases. It is not normal, but if for whatever reason the bucks are in rough shape they will shed this early. Unfortunately that is an indication a lot of them are likely going to die over teh winter.

[Saskbuck40]

In my area the deer are healthier than ever, the earliest ive ever found a shed was last year when i was coyote hunting christmas day.

[SaskBucks]

A friend up north said he found a 73" at his feeder the other day...it was from a buck that on the limp last year and shed early then, but he is healthy now and shed at the same time

[Canuck2]

I posted this in the photography section too, but this looks like the REAL proper place to put it.

This guy showed up on the wintering grounds a few days ago - right after the season was over. I guess he migrated from God knows where with the myriad other deer that show up mysteriously every year.

Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 14





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Picked up Thursday morning, Dec 15





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Thursday afternoon





The vast majority of whitetails here seem to have lost their antlers by the end of December. Even though it has been unusually cold this December, the shedding seems to be true to form. Every year the earliest observations are right about mid December. Mule deer hang on a month or more longer than the whitetails.

The shed measures a fraction over 60".

BTW, as of late this afternoon, he was still hanging on to the remaining side.

[whttlbucksteve]

I dont useually here of sheds being found till end of january,but bring them on

[rockefeller66]

that could be the freshest shed ever, some guys are starting to find sheds for real, not just shoot a buck and have his rack pop off! I can hardly wait!

[Squirrelhunter91]

I had 3 bucks in my yard yesterday afternoon.. none of which were missing their antlers... a spike, a 3 pointer and a nice forkhorn.. they might be shedding.. but not here atleast.. yet ...

[LETMGROW]

CANUCK 2 Some great pics. Hope you find the other one.

[LETMGROW]

BY Line-- Would it be neat to rattle in a buck with the antlers he lost the previous year? Has anyone ever heard of this happening?

[Mathews XT Man]

was chasin a huge ol buck around the woods today...big ol white sockets on his head..and what a body!!!! had several deer just watching me drive by..pretty cool