Shedding?

[trebono]

Here in NW. Ga., while turkey hunting and otherwise just kicking around the woods 3-4 times a week I've been keeping my eye out for sheds. I've never found a shed before and have been anxious to get my hands on some. I've covered a large area full of deer over and over and have yet to find one. I thought maybe I was just missing them or something until yesterday morning. On my way back to the truck there were 4 deer standing out in the fairway (I'm hunting/scouting an abandoned golf course!) and one of them was a small 8 pt., rack fully intact on his head! I know southern deer are supposed to shed later than they do up north, but it's May! At least I know why I haven't found any sheds, but will antlers stay on until the new ones start growing in summer?

[BT]

May 13, 2009 12:31:56 GMT -5 trebono said:

On my way back to the truck there were 4 deer standing out in the fairway (I'm hunting/scouting an abandoned golf course!) and one of them was a small 8 pt., rack fully intact on his head!

thats crazy!

[nkybuck]

I've seen them in MArch but never in April or May.

[trebono]

I didn't believe it when I saw it, but my buddy who's hunted around here alot longer than I have said it happens alot. His theory is that this particular area is so good for keeping the deer well fed and healthy that they can hang on to antlers until the new growth in summer literally pushes off the old antlers. There are so many oak trees and so much other browse around here. There are still acorns on the ground from the fall! There's literally more food than all the deer can actually eat. I'm going to start putting my good camera in my pack just to try and get some pictures. No one believes me that at least some deer haven't shed, heck I didn't believe it until I saw it myself!

[oldfarmsblueman]

Shedding is related to Testosterone levels and health.A young
deer might hang on a little longer.At first I thought it might
be an antlered doe but I think even they must shed theirs.