Is antler size on 1 1/2 year old bucks an idicator

I have noticed the last two seasons most of the small bucks I have been seeing have been the spike to forkhorn variety, where a few years ago, I seemed to see mostly 6 and 8 point basket racks, a fork was rare, and can’t remember any spikes. Do you think this is just random luck, or some indicator of poorer food supply, worsening herd health, bad genetics, etc.?

we’ve been noticing the exact same thing the last few years. tons of spikes and forks, very few little basket rack 8’s. we passed up 50 some bucks this year, obviously some were the same ones, but almost all were just little guys. not sure what’s goin on ??

we’ve been noticing the exact same thing the last few years. tons of spikes and forks, very few little basket rack 8’s. we passed up 50 some bucks this year, obviously some were the same ones, but almost all were just little guys. not sure what’s goin on ??

In the 80’s the MN/DNR had a farmland deer mgmt program that would age your deer if you sent them the teeth then they’d send you back a patch and the age of your deer. The “basket” 6’s and 8’s that we submitted teeth from were actually 2 1/2 year olds. I’d rate it difficult at best to “age” young deer by their antler size. Though, the presence of many spikes and fork horns may just mean a good supply of bucks for the future. Or, perhaps the drought like conditions of this past summer may have had an effect on antler growth this year though with readily available water sources in our area but, I’d guess it’s just chance that that’s what your seeing.

In the 80’s the MN/DNR had a farmland deer mgmt program that would age your deer if you sent them the teeth then they’d send you back a patch and the age of your deer. The “basket” 6’s and 8’s that we submitted teeth from were actually 2 1/2 year olds. I’d rate it difficult at best to “age” young deer by their antler size. Though, the presence of many spikes and fork horns may just mean a good supply of bucks for the future. Or, perhaps the drought like conditions of this past summer may have had an effect on antler growth this year though with readily available water sources in our area but, I’d guess it’s just chance that that’s what your seeing.

Interesting. I had a basket 6 pointer aged back in, oh, maybe 1990, and the guy at the check in from the DNR said it was a 1 1/2 year old. Just figured since then they all were. Those skinny racks sure look like 1 1/2 year olds.

Interesting. I had a basket 6 pointer aged back in, oh, maybe 1990, and the guy at the check in from the DNR said it was a 1 1/2 year old. Just figured since then they all were. Those skinny racks sure look like 1 1/2 year olds.

I think its just alot more younger bucks around, good things to come!

I think its just alot more younger bucks around, good things to come!

I’ve been led to believe that the width and mass of the rack are not necessarily age dependent. That is to say that nearly all bucks are buttons for their first year, spikes or forks in their second (1 1/2 years old), and then progress to an ‘adult’ rack by the time they are 3 1/2 years.

“Basket rack” bucks may be in that 1 1/2 to 3 year old window, or more likely just not genetically destined to grow a large rack. The line of a deer’s back is a much better indicator of age when field judging than antler size. A lot of times on these outdoor channel shows, you’ll see ranches invite the producers on to cull a basket-racked or abnormal/deformed racked deer to keep him from goofing up the gene pool.

I’ve been led to believe that the width and mass of the rack are not necessarily age dependent. That is to say that nearly all bucks are buttons for their first year, spikes or forks in their second (1 1/2 years old), and then progress to an ‘adult’ rack by the time they are 3 1/2 years.

“Basket rack” bucks may be in that 1 1/2 to 3 year old window, or more likely just not genetically destined to grow a large rack. The line of a deer’s back is a much better indicator of age when field judging than antler size. A lot of times on these outdoor channel shows, you’ll see ranches invite the producers on to cull a basket-racked or abnormal/deformed racked deer to keep him from goofing up the gene pool.

I think is has to do with the fact that there are so many deer now. On our land we harvest A LOT of does. We started this three years ago. We went from seeing 20 does and 0 bucks a night in the bow stand to seeing 3 bucks and 4 or 5 does & fawns. When we would see a buck it would be a spike or fork.

Now all our 1 1/2 year old deer are 6 or 8 pointers. This year we did not see a spike or fork. It has to do with the carrying capacity of the land. To many deer in an area makes for to much competition for food, cover, etc. If you have adequate food supply in your area, try decreasing the herd size a little and you will see a nice improvement in antler growth. Of course, I am assuming you have adequate food for the deer already.

I think is has to do with the fact that there are so many deer now. On our land we harvest A LOT of does. We started this three years ago. We went from seeing 20 does and 0 bucks a night in the bow stand to seeing 3 bucks and 4 or 5 does & fawns. When we would see a buck it would be a spike or fork.

Now all our 1 1/2 year old deer are 6 or 8 pointers. This year we did not see a spike or fork. It has to do with the carrying capacity of the land. To many deer in an area makes for to much competition for food, cover, etc. If you have adequate food supply in your area, try decreasing the herd size a little and you will see a nice improvement in antler growth. Of course, I am assuming you have adequate food for the deer already.