They seem to be living in harmony with one another. The period when bucks have velvet on their antlers is an interesting time. Over the shedding period, the deer will try to remove the blood-filled velvet by rubbing against trees and even biting off hanging pieces if they can reach them. For some males, it is a task that can last for days. Some bucks get the job done quickly and a full shed can take just a few hours. It is during the peak of summer when the tissue in the antlers mineralizes and hardens as the blood flow is cut off.įor deer shedding velvet and peeling it off is a tricky task that results in strips of bloody material hanging from the new antlers. Over the weeks heading to the rut, antler velvet will peel off, usually around mid-August. When velvet shedding happens, it is the signal that the rut is beginning.ĭuring the final stages before shedding, the buck will already be displaying behaviors used in the rut. The velvet keep the antlers safe during this time to ensure that they can reach their full potential. Peeling off the Velvetĭespite the rut being months away, male deer start to prepare to face off against rivals for the affections of females early. Older and stronger bucks will usually have the most points, and those male deer are prized by hunters and taxidermists alike. The number of points refers to how many spikes there are on an antler. It is common to see males described as a “4-point” buck or something similar. Age is More Than a NumberĪge is another factor. How much food a deer eats can directly contribute to the size of their antlers. Hungry Stagsīucks must feed a lot leading up to and through spring and summer to receive the nutrition necessary to grow antlers. This surge of hormones results in growth of the male’s neck muscles and antlers. For example, during the spring there is more daylight, which triggers an increase in testosterone. Specifically, growth centers around the changing light across seasons. Antler Growthĭeer have no control over the growth of their antlers, instead relying on a synchronization with nature. Velvet is also a commodity, and for centuries people have taken the fallen velvet and used it for medicinal and other purposes.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |