All About Antler Development

By: M. Colter Chitwood, Garbiel Karns, Christopher S. DePerno

Antler development is a biologically complex process that bucks endure every year. Growing up to an inch per day in some Cervid (deer family) species, antler tissue is the fastest growing tissue in the animal kingdom. In white-tailed deer, antler growth begins in mid-March to April and is dependent on the interaction of prolactin (pituitary gland), testosterone (testes) and increasing daylight. Antler growth is terminated in August or September when a surge of testosterone causes the antlers to harden into bone, prompting the buck to polish his new headgear by rubbing off the velvet that covered the growing tissue. Finally, during late December or early January, testosterone tapers off in the bloodstream, antler shedding occurs and the process begins again.

That brings us to these questions: Why are antler sizes different between individuals? And what can be done to make the bucks on my property grow larger antlers?

There are three factors that influence and contribute to antler size: 1) age, 2) nutrition and 3) genetics. The good news is there is not much more to antler growth than those three factors. The bad news is that hunters and deer managers might not be able to control everything that drives a buck’s antler potential.

Age is the easiest aspect of antler growth to understand and control. Young deer do not have extra nutrients to devote to antler growth because energy is diverted to body growth. This is why yearling bucks look long and slender and generally have small racks. However, as the buck ages, his body fills out and more of his nutrition can be directed to antler development. It is important to recognize that when hunters decide to pull the trigger on a deer, they are impacting deer management. Specifically, related to bucks in the fall, hunters are making a decision regarding antler growth in individual deer and the population (e.g., age structure). If a buck is young with a small rack, it is very likely that he will be bigger in the following years until he reaches the maximum antler growth at 5.5 or 6.5 years old.

This brings us to the next factor in antler growth: nutrition. Although nutrients play a vital role in the formation of antlers, body size and development come first. If a buck does not have a healthy body and is unable to survive, what good are large antlers? Thus, nutrition is important because deer in high quality habitats have more nutrients to direct to antler formation. Available nutrients are firmly grounded in the soil (pun intended), and numerous studies have shown that antler size is strongly correlated with regional soil types.

The third factor in antler growth is genetics. Hotly discussed on TV hunting shows and online forums, genetics have captured the attention of many hunters and managers. The commonly mentioned ‘cull’ buck has led to many yearling spikes being killed because of obviously inferior genetics. This is simply not true! Remember the first factor in antler development—age! The yearling has not had time to develop his true antler potential. Only with time and adequate nutrition can the genetic potential of a buck truly be revealed. Further, research has shown that given time and nutrition these ‘cull’ bucks may develop into trophies by their fourth or fifth year.

The take home message is that antler development is the final product of three ingredients: age, nutrition and genetics. So, what can hunters do to maximize antler growth? Let the young bucks grow up! Age is the most controllable variable in antler growth, so if you want to kill bucks with larger racks, learn to judge age based on body characteristics rather than antler size. Other than age, nutrition is the next most controllable factor, but you will never be able to completely control this variable. Some habitats are simply more nutritious for deer than others. When possible, habitat modifications can improve nutrition for your deer, so check with local biologists to see what you can do based on your habitat and soil types. The last variable, genetics, is vital to antler formation but it is the least controllable factor.

About the authors: M. Colter Chitwood, M. S. candidate in the Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University. Gabriel Karns, M.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University. Christopher S. DePerno, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Wildlife Extension Specialist, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Program, North Carolina State University

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All About Antler Development