Weather, quality of antler

[Deertick]

I hear that antler quality may have something to do with weather ... but have any of you really noticed it?

Does anyone know of evidence that weather really correlates with average antler size? (I wonder if there is such evidence, and if so, if it\'s winter weather, spring weather, or summer weather that makes the difference.

(Personally, I think we see what we want to see. Didn\'t see many big bucks/bulls this last year? Hmm ... make an excuse about the weather on Memorial Day. A buddy shoot a giant bull? Yeah, but remember we had record snow-pack the year before. Etc. Oh, I\'m sure extreme weather has it\'s impact, both good and bad, but ...

I bet the weather that has the biggest impact is the weather during hunting season the year before, because if that\'s bad, bull numbers don\'t get knocked-down, and more survive to be ... bigger bulls the next year.)

 

[bowhunter]

A bad winter might make a bull lose some fat reserves. I bet a very dry summer would be the most effect on antler growth without lush green grass to eat.
I\'m no biologist just my opinion.

I like to have a somewhat dry late summer to hunt after. Find food and you will find elk. I made the mistake in 2013 of hunting where I saw plenty of elk in 2012. They were way higher and not in the area, The wet summer and fall had good green grass above treeline still. lesson learned though.

 

[mtnmutt]

Colorado 2010/2011 Winter had record snowfall. The snowpack reached its peak in May rather than the typical mid-April. On July 3, 2011, I was scouting through snow at 11,000 and saw massive creeks rushing down the mountainsides.

That summer, the CPW predicted strong antler growth due to the lush green grasses from all the late moisture. I do not know if their prediction came to fruition.

In 2011, seasonal creeks were still flowing in September of that year. They were dry the next year in 2012, at the same time. 2012 was the year of the CO fires, like Waldo Canyon.

CPW appears to correlate antler growth with lush green grasses in Spring and into Summer. Drought years are not good antler growth years. I have not heard them say anything about Fall or Winter weather with regards to antler growth.

Fun facts: Bulls grow antlers back in 90 days and can grow upwards of 2? a day during peak times. Elk antler velvet calcification begins after the summer solstice.

Chris Roe, wildlife biologist, mentioned at his seminar that there was a lower CO calf recruitment in 2011. The late snows in 2011 caused the herds to stay together longer which congregated the calves in a smaller area which apparently made them easier targets for predators. Does that mean 2012 was a good calf recruitment year? :dk: I did not think to ask him. Obviously, I care more about the number of 3 year old bulls than the other ages. CO point restriction rules: Minimum 4 points on side or 5 inch or longer brow tine. Here is to a good birth rate in 2012. :upthumb:

If you have an opportunity to attend one of Chris Roe\'s seminars, you may pick his brain on elk biology. His free seminar \"Rethinking the Rut\" is very educational. I am not sure if I would be infringing or not if I posted my notes from his free seminar. I have thought about it, but I wasn\'t sure if it would be ethical to do so.

Sorry Tick, I got a little off topic. I hope I partially answered your question from my very limited knowledge.

 

[cnelk]

Good topic.
I believe its the better early forage the prompts good antler growth for the rest of the year.
Arizona hosts some dandy bulls and that is some arid country every year.

There has also been some research that certain types of sage grows better antlers than other types of forage.
But maybe its just the strain of elk in a certain area that has bigger antler?