The richer the soil, the richer the plants. Deer then eat those plants and convert their nutrients into useable form for various bodily functions, not the least of which is growing a crown of antlers. However, the path from soil to antler is indirect. The process of converting these elements into bone is called mineralization. And even when minerals are abundant in the environment, much of what goes into antlers is mobilized from other parts of the skeleton.
During peak antler growth periods, bucks may experience a 20 percent decrease in mineral content in other bones. This, in part, explains why there is typically a big jump in antler growth between age three and four. By age four a buck is mature. His skeleton has stopped growing and no longer requires as much mineral nutrients. Antlers are still a luxury, but any surplus minerals not needed for normal body function can now go directly to antler growth.
This is also why age is such an important factor in antler growth. Maximum antler size is usually achieved between age five and seven. After that a buck reaches senescence and a period of gradual deterioration. The process of mineralization occurs largely toward the end of the annual antler growth cycle. Photoperiodism - in this case shortening day length - again plays a role, stimulating the pituitary gland to increase secretions of testosterone.
This triggers the mineralization process as soft antler tissue is converted to bone when minerals are deposited within the matrix of cartilage and blood vessels. A once diffuse vascular system solidifies, cutting off the supply of blood and minerals. The antlers and their velvet covering literally die. Velvet sloughs off completely within about 12 hours, leaving the dead bone of the completed rack behind.
Exceptions do occur and are usually the result of injury, often to the testes, or sometimes the result of retarded testicular growth. This is also sometimes the case with deer erroneously labeled as antlered does. They may actually be bucks whose secondary sex characteristics penis and testes never fully formed. Antlers have many interesting characteristics but one of the most fascinating is that, like leaves on a hardwood tree, they are deciduous.
In an annual cycle they are grown, cast off then regrown again. Once the breeding season is over their purpose is served. In cold climates they act as radiators, drawing valuable heat energy from the body and retaining them only wastes valuable energy. Eons of natural selection have determined that it is more energy efficient to cast them off and grow a new pair than to carry them over the course of a lifetime, like horns.
Yet again, photoperiodism plays a role. Eventually, a specialized layer of cells called osteoclasts forms at the abcission line between the pedicle and antler base, ultimately degrading the point of attachment until the antlers simply fall off.
They cycle is complete but will begin again as the sun slowly increases its duration in the sky. Most folks know the three main factors in antler growth are age, nutrition and genetics. As managers we can really only influence two. By providing proper nutrition and letting bucks to reach maturity we allow them to reach their maximum genetic potential. He discusses antler genesis and what we can do to help grow the healthiest deer possible. Listen below:.
Break-Up Country. Elements Agua. Wild sheep and other horn-growing animals never shed their head gear, with one exception. Pronghorns shed their horn sheaths annually. Males of all deer species — elk, caribou, moose, mule deer, Coues deer, white-tailed deer and black-tailed deer — grow antlers.
Female caribou also grow antlers, though not as large as those grown by males. The antlers start as nubs in April and reach their full potential by August. At that stage, antlers are soft to the touch and easily damaged. Antlers harden in late summer and then shed their velvet once they quit growing.
The velvet dries and falls away when its blood supply ends. Bucks often hasten the process by rubbing their antlers against trees or brush, possibly because the dying velvet causes an itching sensation.
You can monitor this months-long process by deploying trail cameras , which provide a fun way to learn about deer in your area. Trail cameras are motion-activated, and take pictures when deer or other woodland creatures trigger their sensors.
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If rainfall is normal, nutritious food will be lush and readily available. This coupled with the longest amount of daylight of the year, provides the hormonal support that allows antler growth to accelerate. By the time June draws to a close, nearly all the primary points on a rack will have started to grow. Having adequate rainfall is key to insuring that optimum antler growth continues during the month because if drought conditions take place the nutrition level of the food decreases, which has a tendency to cause a drop in antler growth.
Most northern bucks will have completed their antler growth by the 10 th of August, at which time the blood flow to the antlers diminishes. For the next days the antlers will harden.
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