Hard Weather/Antler Quality

[sandersj89]

With all the hard weather in the last 8 weeks with roe buck antler quality be effected this year?

Out at the weekend and saw a very nice looking 6 pointer roe buck in full velvet but could not help but think that in a poor winter their antler growth must be effected?

[Stone]

Jerry taking into account that most will loose their antler by December so regrowth always starts in the worst possible time of year for nutritious foods anyway, unless there is plenty of rape about as that is high protein
by Feb/March the antler growth will be finished anyway thou still in velvet and often some are clean by end of march
just because we have had a bit of bad weather should not make to much difference aslong as they have been able to feed
those that haven't been able to feed it will make no odds as they will more than likely be dead anyway
but judging by the fat in the last few Roe does and kids i culled last monday they obviously had found enough to eat so i should think the bucks in my area will of aswell
can't comment for those else where, but we did not have as much snow as others
but it will be interesting to see what the medal head chart looks like later in the year
and scottish roe are poor heads as a rule anyway except for certain areas where the mineral levels in the ground are better

[abolter]

The other problem could be frost damage resulting in more deformed and stunted antlers than usual. We had nearly 4 weeks below freezing here and as an exposed appendage the growing antlers could get damaged. To be fair all the velvet bucks I have seen so far have been pretty impressive.

[PredatorControl]

I have noticed that regionally Roe do shed their velvet at different times. In some area's they can be shed by the end of March as Stone said but in other area's it can be late April. This could be down to slight temperature differences around the country ??

Steve.

[Stone]

The other problem could be frost damage resulting in more deformed and stunted antlers than usual. We had nearly 4 weeks below freezing here and as an exposed appendage the growing antlers could get damaged. To be fair all the velvet bucks I have seen so far have been pretty impressive.

Roy frost damage usually occurs when you have a severe hard frost over night
you may that 4 + weeks of below zero temps will not cause the same effect as going from say 3-5 degrees to minus 10 overnight
Steve
the difference in the weather does not seem to make that much difference as scottish roe will have a mixed balance for being in hard horn starting from mid march through to end of aprill
but where i am they all seem to be around the same time end of aprill as they are herefordshire and gloucestershire as a rule
hormonal was one idea as it may be in the DNA

[Flatlander]

l saw a clean roe buck over a week ago it was about the same time last year, as far as the antler development this winter seems no different than others, but we have probably been spared the worst compared to other parts of the country, on the whole the deer seem in very good knick they are retaining good body weights and still holding plenty of fat.

[abolter]

Stone

Take your point but it will be interesting to see what we get cos we have had -10 or lower on 7-10 days so far this year. -10 again last night, we had -16 two times

[Stone]

l saw a clean roe buck over a week ago it was about the same time last year, as far as the antler development this winter seems no different than others, but we have probably been spared the worst compared to other parts of the country, on the whole the deer seem in very good knick they are retaining good body weights and still holding plenty of fat.

Paul
nice to see you and Margret still keeping busy
hope you are keeping well too, ankle biters included
best wishes

[Flatlander]

l saw a clean roe buck over a week ago it was about the same time last year, as far as the antler development this winter seems no different than others, but we have probably been spared the worst compared to other parts of the country, on the whole the deer seem in very good knick they are retaining good body weights and still holding plenty of fat.

Paul
nice to see you and Margret still keeping busy
hope you are keeping well too, ankle biters included
best wishes

Rich.
How you doin, yes still finding stuff to do, been very hectic with the deer since xmas, been meaning to call will find time very soon for a chat, we would like to have you over for a spot of stalking sometime.

[Stone]

Paul
my camp fire will always have a space around it for you all
been a little busy myself since Xmas
put 20 + in the larder and still more to go, my little piece of heaven has prooved hell at the mo ,but worth it
just need to get out on the rest of the ground now
caught up with those fallow yet??????

[Flatlander]

Paul
my camp fire will always have a space around it for you all
been a little busy myself since Xmas
put 20 + in the larder and still more to go, my little piece of heaven has prooved hell at the mo ,but worth it
just need to get out on the rest of the ground now
caught up with those fallow yet??????

The Fallow come and go nothing resident there yet so Margaret is still a fallow virgin, but the red have taken up residence and giving one of the woods some real grief so we are under pressure from the landowners to sort them out which is one of the reasons its been hectic this year, since xmas we have taken down 32 deer not all red, roe and muntjac also and as you say still more to go, it will be nice to see the end of the female seasons and hopefully take it a bit easy on the roe bucks over the spring and summer.
Keep at it mate, talk soon.
All the best, Paul