Antler growth question

[TheCream]

Does anyone know if there is a correlation between when a buck sheds his rack and when his antler growth begins? Seeing some photos on here of bucks even into March holding antlers made me wonder if bucks that shed in December or January get any sort of earlier start on antler growth than these bucks that hold on until February or March. Just a curious question!

[ap0317ah]

This is a good question
I dont really know nor have I given much thought to it.
but judging on what I have read I'd say no it seems the lenght off the day light hours is what tiggers increased hormone production and this is also is what triggers this production of hormones to stop. So I guess longer daylight hours more hormoes shorterday light hours lower hormones.
Again this is just what I have read and have no idea as if it is true.
Tom

[ap0317ah]

So because this event ocurres pretty much at the sametime each year I dont think that the time at which a buck loses his antlers would have any or much efect on when antler growth starts.
this is from the pennsylvania DNR
"The antler cycle is influenced by secretions from the pituitary gland. Changes in length of daylight periods and, to a lesser degree, temperature influence the hormone secretions from this gland. Hormones are believed to be a factor in the initiation of new antler growth. Increases in the amount of testosterone in the blood of whitetail bucks in late August and early September cause blood flow to the antlers to stop. The velvet dies and is shed or rubbed off. Throughout the breeding season, testosterone levels continue to increase until they peak in November, usually coinciding with the height of breeding. After that testosterone abates, apparently triggering antler shedding."
Tom

[hunter79]

so when does antler growth actually start? when do the days become long enough to trigger the growth?

[TheCream]

According to my trail cams, last year I had bucks sprouting antlers in my area in late April/early May. This photo I found on my Photobucket page, the date is correct.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i58/creamernator/ICAM0022-1.jpg

[hunter79]

cool pic. thanks.

[TRMichels]

Great answers here, I like it when sonmeione actually does some research to find out anwers, not just rely on hearsay.

While antler growth of white-tailed deer should start about the same time every year, it will vary by latitude; from southern Canada to northern South America.

God bless and good hunting,

T.R.