Already seeing antler growth?

[Jrs5144]

I went out to check my cameras today and I noticed some velvet already growing on one deer. I will post the pictures later, I do not have time at the moment.

 

My question is: Is there any correlation to early antler growth and the final antler size or age? Or do some deer start early no matter their age. 

Edited April 23, 2013 by Jrs5144

[G-Man]

really big bucks are up 4 to 6 inches already..

[Jrs5144]

Dang, the growth I saw was only an inch or two.

[Jrs5144]

I hunted real hard for this deer last season, just kind half of its rack last weekend. He was a ten point. Weak brow tines, g2 and g3 are 9 and 9.5inch respectively. I'm guessing he was only 3.5 last season. How much bigger can I expect this year do you think?

[G-Man]

If it made it through winter in good shape, (replacement of nutrients go to skeleton first before antlers)rough winter where I am 10 to 20in more of antler growth is possible, but if he didn't come out in good shape growth May be minimal or poor (an slight increase in mass but a decrease in ttime length or number of points) winter of 2011-12 was very mild resulting in great racks last hunting season, i expect to see less growth on bucks this hunting season and not as many trophys taken.

[wooly]

Cruising down the 219 today I saw a group of 3 deer just off the shoulder. One of them had a skinny set of 8 inch forked velvety antlers! It actually looked like he had already hit his peak antler growth which was kinda cool to see.