Now that we’ve reached the longest day of the year antler growth will explode throughout the whitetail’s range.
In my blog entry two weeks ago I showed a photo of a mature buck’s antler growth on June 1st. The accompanying photo shows that same buck photographed again on June 15th. As you can see, the buck’s inside spread is complete and its G-2s and G-3s are beginning to form, along with sprouting several small stickers.
Over the next 30 days antler growth will be rapid. With lush forage readily available, bucks can consume up to 15 pounds of highly nutritious food each day. This will fuel antler growth of as much as an inch per day during the peak period from mid-June to mid-July. Most bucks are now part of a bachelor group that feeds, beds and travels together with very little energy spent on displaying dominance xe2x80x93 a stark contrast from their attitudes during the fall months.
Be sure to check back in two weeks to see what this guy looked like on July 1st as we follow the fascinating progression of his antlers.
xe2x80x93 Charlie