Question for the deer hunters

[RutnNStrutn]

I live out in the country in Tennessee and have critters on my place. There are a couple of young bucks, a 4 and a 5 point, that have been coming in since last fall. These guys still haven't lost the antlers yet. It's almost April, and they're the only hard horned bucks around!! To my experience bucks generally lose their antlers around the end of February. So here's the question, has anyone seen bucks still carrying their antlers this late before? 

[Happy]

Yes. I have seen bucks with antlers while turkey hunting and our seasons typically don't open till mid-April.

Good-looking and Platinum level member of the Elitist club

[RutnNStrutn]

Yes. I have seen bucks with antlers while turkey hunting and our seasons typically don't open till mid-April.

Good-looking and Platinum level member of the Elitist club

I've only seen it a couple of times. Thought it was just an anomaly.

[Happy]

I would say it is a little unusual. Like hair, some just seem to be able to hold on to it a little longer than others.

Good-looking and Platinum level member of the Elitist club

[Turkeybutt]

Seen one the other day here in Penna. Had 5 on one side and dropped or lost the other set sometime earlier in the year.

[Tom007]

Weird, here in NJ 2 weeks ago, (2) 8 point bucks still have their horns....

[Yoder409]

Yep.   

Some of the bucks here will shed in early December.  And then I've seen them carrying into early April.  It's just individual to the animal.

[g8rvet]

Odd you ask this.  Saw a 3 on one side buck last night on the way home.

[hipp2412]

I saw 3 different bucks with antlers last week in PA. We were out shed hunting last weekend and we only found 2. We used a shed dog for extra help and still only found 2.

[RutnNStrutn]

Interesting. Thanks for the replies fellas.

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[J-Shaped]

Most of TN had an incredible acorn crop last fall, which, combined with a relatively mild winter, had bucks coming through winter in really good shape. It's not uncommon at all for me to see bucks into April still carrying their antlers, but this year there seems to be a whole lot of them still carrying, more than usual.

I've seen our deer still chasing does in March too, so you never know.

[runngun]

Saw a big buck (for our area) Sunday night and he still had both sides. Usually already shed.

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[dzsmith]

Most are losing or have lost them by now where I live . But February would be pretty early. March is about right.

[Gooserbat]

I've seen them drop as early as the week between Christmas and New Year's and I've seen them still have them in April.  I'm not going to pretend to know why.

[squidd]

Photo of last buck with horns was taken 18MAR; on a lease in GA