Deer body size, pre rut, vs winter.

[Hock3y24]

Pretty cool photos from Nov 2 and Feb 1. Amazing the neck size difference. Photos are about 400 yards apart. Main target for next year and hopefully can find his sheds when its time. Snow picture is 30 yards from where I have a bow stand and shot my PA buck this year just about where he's standing, I also have a stand in the top spot, major rut travel routes. 

Edited February 1 by Hock3y24

[Hock3y24]

Shot this one Morning of Nov 3 at 9:30. While going after the top buck. 

[Doc]

Maybe I really don't want to know this, but what is it that makes the neck on a rutting buck swell like that? What is it that they are filling up with? Anybody know?

[escpen]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

Maybe I really don't want to know this, but what is it that makes the neck on a rutting buck swell like that? What is it that they are filling up with? Anybody know?

Muscle?

[Doc]

13 hours ago, escpen said:

Muscle?

Well then, where does all that muscle disappear to immediately after the rut is over?

[escpen]

The muscle mass decreases just as rapidly as it increased before and during the rut due to swings in testosterone production, I would think. 

I'm not a biologist, though - this is just an (un)educated guess.

Edited February 6 by escpen

[landtracdeerhunter]

The OP shows a great example of increased size and thanks for posting it 

 

[Doc]

On 2/6/2024 at 6:56 AM, escpen said:

The muscle mass decreases just as rapidly as it increased before and during the rut due to swings in testosterone production, I would think. 

I'm not a biologist, though - this is just an (un)educated guess.

Is that even possible?

[landtracdeerhunter]

On 2/1/2024 at 11:07 AM, Hock3y24 said:

Shot this one Morning of Nov 3 at 9:30. While going after the top buck. 

That deer could have been blind in the one eye.

[escpen]

Is that even possible?

Appears so to me.


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[Hock3y24]

On 2/10/2024 at 2:44 PM, landtracdeerhunter said:

That deer could have been blind in the one eye.

He was, eye was punctured. Small amount of dried puss near it. No other issues beside the droopy ear. Weighed 187 dressed.