First shed of the season!!!

[WNY Bowhunter]

I saw this buck that I call Little Freak-Nasty 4 nights in a row last week while spotlighting...

I then spotted him again thursday morning with several other bucks and he was only packing one antler. I was surprised to see it gone already, he appearred to be healthy? Today, I went to check my trail cam and decided to take a little stoll along the ditch where he was the other night to see if he had dropped his antler nearbye. Realistically, what were the chances of that??? Pretty good in this case. I had only been looking for a couple of minutes and spotted it laying tines down in the hayfield!!!

Pics to follow shortly...

[WNY Bowhunter]

As it layed when I spotted it...

[ants]

Good find. I haven't found a shed in years

[WNY Bowhunter]

This shed had 7 points over an inch, another that was broken off and the tip of the mainbeam was broken off...

The tip of the beam was really cool...it flattened out.

[wooly]

Awesome man! Gonna be a hectic early season with lots of competition out there if this nice weather doesn't break soon.

Congrats on your first of the year!

[WNY Bowhunter]

Thanks. I still can't believe that it's only mid December and I have a fresh 61" shed in the bag already!!! I was planning on waiting until mid to late January before officially opening my shed hunting season...

Edited December 16, 2012 by WNY Bowhunter

[wooly]

Thanks. I still can't believe that it's only mid December and I have a fresh 61" shed in the bag already!!!

Haha- get used to it.... and MATCH IT UP!

[WNY Bowhunter]

I didn't look for the match too hard. He still had it on his head while walking away the other night...

[wooly]

Something tells me it wont be long before you're the proud owner of another 60+ inch antler,lol

[WNY Bowhunter]

Here he is in 2010 as a yearling 10-pt...

Post season and all busted up...

[bkln]

Man, good tracking on that deer, you were on him for over 2 years that's a dedication....congrats....

[WNY Bowhunter]

In 2011 he grew matching droptines...

Post season and all busted up again...

[WNY Bowhunter]

Something tells me it wont be long before you're the proud owner of another 60+ inch antler,lol

All i want for x-mas is the sheds from the buck in my avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WNY Bowhunter]

Man, good tracking on that deer, you were on him for over 2 years that's a dedication....congrats....

The coming year will be the 4th year of watching this deer. He'll be 4 yrs old this summer...

[First-light]

That is so cool! Glad you found the shed.

[HuntOrBeHunted]

Very cool.

[mbucks27]

Great antler and history with that buck. You guys are making me want to get out and shed hunt!!! Still have plenty of hunting to do down here on the island so not gonna start until im done bow hunting. Congrats on a great find!!!

John

[Bowshotmuzzleloader]

In 2011 he had matching drop tines and this year none, That doesnt make sense,, sure thats the same deer , and not another ?? Nice job on finding the sheds, I thought once they carried that genetic trait it reappeared, not dissappered. IM confused

[WNY Bowhunter]

It's the same deer. I too was quite surprised when the drops didn't show up again this year. There is an abnormal point on this shed where the droptine was last year. I'm hoping that the drops will return this coming antler growing season.

It's a common misconception that a bucks' antlers stay exactly the same throughout it's life.

Here are two other bucks who's antlers changed from 2011 to 2012...

Buck #1:

Buck #2:

2011...

2012...

Edited December 17, 2012 by WNY Bowhunter

[Bowshotmuzzleloader]

Your pics are incredible and not trying to argue,, while you were posting pics, I was doing a little reasearch myself because I was unsure..

I dont know how to link website but heres address

Type in your search bar ( gooogle)

antler abnormalities understanding non typicals whitetail institute

Not saying it cant happen, but generally follow the deer year to year.. I have never shot a drop tine buck but multiple split brows and a third beam.. I think you just got a great heard and two many to keep track of lol

[Bowshotmuzzleloader]

They also say in that article they dont develop the drop tine till 3 to 4 years of age

[wooly]

They also say in that article they dont develop the drop tine till 3 to 4 years of age

False....here's a 2 1/2yo drop tine I found a few years ago. Pretty developed for only his second set of horns.

[Bowshotmuzzleloader]

Im not saying I know anything ,, I just found it unsual that was the same shed after , such prefound drops from each side ,to suddenly not have them the next year..Thats all

[wooly]

Im not saying I know anything ,, I just found it unsual that was the same shed after , such prefound drops from each side ,to suddenly not have them the next year..Thats all

I know what your sayin'. I was just trying to clear up any misconceptions, that's all.

Anyone can right an article on antlers or anything else for that matter......that doesn't always mean it's 100% true!

I need to write a book now that I think about it,lol

[Huntingbum]

very cool none the less.

Congrat's ona great shed find. Looks to me like there are a lot of nice sheds goona drop in your area. Kepp posting more as you find them.