Indications of Antler Shed

[Padre86]

All right, so after many weekend hunting trips up to the ADK's and many a hard day put into scouting, my efforts have paid off (sort of) and I actually saw a Buck while hunting in the ADK's.  

However, I didn't take the shot.  The reason: he seemed to be a young guy, with antlers that seemed to be barely over the legal limit (3"), if that, and hadn't even sprouted off into different tines yet.  He was right on the edge, but even if I had known with 100% certainty that he was legal, I wouldn't have taken the shot.  I'm not after a big rack, but I'd rather let the young guns live a little and get an older guy.  People may agree or disagree with that, but that's how I approach hunting in the ADK's.  I may have handled it differently had I been hunting in deer-heavy area like the Finger Lakes.

 

However, after I let him go and had returned from the hunt.  I started wondering if this guy was in fact a fully mature, older Buck who had just shed his antlers.  His body seemed nice and healthy and bulky, which stood out as abnormal to me since I had initially thought of him as a yearling or younger buck.  His antlers looked like thin stakes sticking out of his head, but I didn't notice the velvety layer that you normally see on new antler growth.

So what is the quick and easy way to tell the difference between a young deer growing his first set of antlers and an older buck who may have just shed his old set of antlers.  

P.S.  I do know that the normal antler shed season occurs after January, but I've also heard that it is not uncommon for the shed to happen sooner depending on environmental factors.

[Buckmaster7600]

First of congrats! Seeing a deer in the big woods is an accomplishment even more so for it to be a buck. I also won't shoot small bucks. Although I will never judge or talk down on someone that does especially in the big woods.

My guess is it was a young buck. Spindly spikes is a tell tale sign. If they were real heavy I would think otherwise. Body size is hard to judge when they are by them selves. When a deer sheds it's antlers it sheds the whole thing not part of it.


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