Hannah4181 260 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Thanks, sitting this afternoon watching 4 roe in the field from the kitchen window. . . . . what i should of done was put down the mulled wine and pick up my camera . . . . . . . . . ho hum there's always tomorrow! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kay 3,709 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Love the first shot Hannah Out of interest what are the antlers made of , hair or what ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted January 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 well, Kay... When a buck sheds his "old antlers (usually oct/nov) then the wounds heal over within a day or two and then the next set of antlers start growing. Of course this requires alot of nutrients and blood flow and i should imagine they are rather tender too as they grow over the next 4 months or so...the "hairy" covering is called velvet is used to protect the developing antler. once fully formed the velvet dries and the deer rubs it off. some say that once dry the velvet causes itching so triggering off the rubbing, but , in reality, no one really know whether this is or isnt the case. anyway, once rubbed the antlers take on a darker colour. The actual material is practically bone i am pretty sure. Its amazing how fast these grow and i should imagine it can deplete the bucks reserves at certain times of year. antlers are shed each year...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hannah4181 260 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Top of the class Mr Darcy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kay 3,709 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 well, Kay... When a buck sheds his "old antlers (usually oct/nov) then the wounds heal over within a day or two and then the next set of antlers start growing. Of course this requires alot of nutrients and blood flow and i should imagine they are rather tender too as they grow over the next 4 months or so...the "hairy" covering is called velvet is used to protect the developing antler. once fully formed the velvet dries and the deer rubs it off. some say that once dry the velvet causes itching so triggering off the rubbing, but , in reality, no one really know whether this is or isnt the case. anyway, once rubbed the antlers take on a darker colour. The actual material is practically bone i am pretty sure. Its amazing how fast these grow and i should imagine it can deplete the bucks reserves at certain times of year. antlers are shed each year...... Have you watched the same deer for a few yrs & do they grow in the same formation as previous yrs or are they different every time they grow new ones ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted January 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 yes, generally speaking the antlers grow in similar formation. In roe, the first year is often a litte spike, the second is often then much improved with 6 spikes (3 each side). The antlers continue to increase in mass year on year up to a certain point . Of course age gets to the deer as it gets to us all and as they get "over the hill" the antlers grow more stubby and decrease in size again. this is called "going back". believe me its a very fortunate roe that can have the luxury of wearing "going back" antlers around where we live!! so, to answer , yes the antlers resemble a certain individual pattern year on year.....not only for individuals but also certain areas too.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kay 3,709 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 yes, generally speaking the antlers grow in similar formation. In roe, the first year is often a litte spike, the second is often then much improved with 6 spikes (3 each side). The antlers continue to increase in mass year on year up to a certain point . Of course age gets to the deer as it gets to us all and as they get "over the hill" the antlers grow more stubby and decrease in size again. this is called "going back".believe me its a very fortunate roe that can have the luxury of wearing "going back" antlers around where we live!! so, to answer , yes the antlers resemble a certain individual pattern year on year.....not only for individuals but also certain areas too.... Thanks Jon thats really interesting Quote Link to post Share on other sites
steve66 3,501 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Looks like there bums are glowing Hannah first shots a cracker Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mattydski 560 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Just to add to the conversation... The velvet is where the blood supply is carried during the growing phase. When they are finished growing the velvet is no longer required etc.. Matt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted January 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 This is him again today. see how much his antlers have grown. I reckon he will loose his velvet quite early. my guess is that he will start rubbing the first week in March.....anyone else care to guess... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
buckshot 53 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 3rd week o march, not a bad pic either your learning Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted January 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 3rd week o march, not a bad pic either your learning thats a shit one.....i never put the good ones on the net.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
anythingoes 28 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Took a couple of snaps this afternoon....sadly some have come out a little blurred, which i cannot work out why. It was one of the best stalks i have evr done, but i was helped in the fact that the deer could be seen out in the field when i first scanned the area. This was handy as i had forgot to bring my bino's!!! silly me|! darcy you seem to get the picts !! nice 1 mate atb anythingoes !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NID 0 Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Thats one healthy looking Buck,and not a bad photo too,atb NID. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squirrel_Basher 17,100 Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Mate ,any idea on the approx age of that buck .I have my own guess just wondered if it tied in with yours . Just to add a thing or two about antler growth .The actual growth of the antler is regulated by the amount of testosterone in a bucks body.Normal levels of the hormone found in a buck during winter ,allows the steady growth of antler .As the amount of daylight increases so does the testosterone increase until it reaches a peak in the rut .Its the increase in this hormone that stops antler growth .Bucks that have for some reason been castrated ,produce no testosterone and therefore the antler grows year upon year producing a mass of antler and velvet . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.