Age-related patterns of antler development in free-ranging white-tailed deer

Abstract

The relationship of antler size at one age to that at a later age is important in cervid management, in part by defining the effects of selective harvest based on antler characteristics. We used capture and harvest records from 2,948 male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on 5 study sites over a 10-year period to define age-antler size relationships. Antler size (Boone and Crockett score converted to cm) increased with deer age to 5 years of age, and we therefore considered males mature at ≥5 years of age. Antler size at ≥2 years of age was positively related to yearling antler size with antler size increasing 0.64 cm (SE = 0.07) for every cm of yearling antler score. Antler size at maturity increased 0.52–0.78 cm (SE = 0.05–0.12) for each cm of antler size at 2, 3, and 4 years of age. Number of yearling antler points is a criterion in some selective harvest regimes. Yearling deer with ≤3 antler points had antlers at maturity that were 32 cm (SE = 8.4 cm) smaller than deer with ≥4 antler points as yearlings. Because of a relationship between yearling antler size and antler size at later ages, selective harvest at young ages can influence antler size of deer remaining in the cohort at later ages. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.