Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the change in the value of morpho-metric parameters of antlers and the total trophy score in relation to the age of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.). The study was conducted on 228 roe deer trophies from the "Barajevska reka" hunting ground in Serbia, aged one to seven years. From the second to the fourth year, the growth of antlers was the most intense, and the differences compared to one year old animals were significant (P <0.001). The highest average length of the branches was monitored in six years old animals (22.4 ? 2.05 cm), with significant differences (P <0.001) compared to younger animals, except for the three years old animals (P>0.05). From the second to the fifth year, a gradual increase in antler weight (from 192.2 ? 30.41 g to 221.9 ? 61.86 g) and antler volume (from 74 cm3 to 90 cm3) was observed, with the highest values of antler weight (291.8 ? 58.43 g and 319.1 ? 98.89 g, respectively) and antler volume (123.8 cm3 and 121.2 cm3) in six and seven year old animals. Overall trophy scores increased from year one to year seven (42.6 ? 7.86 vs 97.4 ? 27.40), with differences in trophy scores for animals aged six and seven years significantly greater than for animals aged one to five years (P <0.001). The highest quality antlers have six and seven year olds, at which time their hunting should be conducted.
Highlights
According to the Law on Wild Game and Hunting ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia" No 18/2010), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) belongs to big game species hunted only in restricted time periods during year (Beuković and Popović, 2014)
The aim of this study was to determine the change in the value of morpho-metric parameters of antlers and the total trophy score in relation to the age of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.)
Hormonal growth control is a result of the balance of testosterone, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and thyroid hormones, as well as parathyroid and adrenal hormones that play a role in controlling the metabolism of minerals (Bartos et al, 2012)
Summary
According to the Law on Wild Game and Hunting ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia" No 18/2010), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) belongs to big game species hunted only in restricted time periods during year (Beuković and Popović, 2014). Growth and rejection of antlers is a very complex process, which comes as a result of achieving the balance between hormonal factors (Price and Allen, 2004), genetic factors (Scribner et al, 1989), environmental factors – nutrition, length of light period, conditions in the habitat and population density (Bán and Fodor, 1982; Pélabon and Breukelen, 1998; Czyżowski et al, 2018). Roe deer in lowland habitats (agrobiotopes) consume digestible and energy-rich foods, which can have a direct impact on the quality of antlers (Kruuk et al, 2002). These individuals have faster body development and are of better body condition, so the morpho-metric elements and overall trophy score sooner culminate compared to roe deer from forest habitats (Pételis and Brazaitis, 2003; Janiszewski et al, 2009). Research of Czyżowski et al (2018) conducted on 518 European roe deer animals (Capreolus capreolus L.) aged 4 to 7 years, originating from the hunting complexes in Lublin (Poland) showed that individuals from areas with denser forest cover have lower mean values of ontogenetic quality parameters (carcass weight, renal fat index, breast circumference, antler weight) compared to roe deer from typical agricultural areas
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