Deer sheds, Big Daddy

457 grams

Still watching Big Daddy. Justin has comforting words for me. Big Daddy, two days later, still has one right antler. It's hard to count, but I think 2 or 3 of our 5 bucks have lost their antlers, 'shed' them, as they say. I spotted Big Daddy, again, worrying the bird feeder. I've figured out that if I fill it early in the day the birds (AKA red squirrels) get some black sunflower seeds before the deer lick it to death!

Today, Thursday, we have had a couple of bucks sans antlers. Thing is, without name tags, it's really hard to tell them apart, except for their behaviour. Big Daddy is, of course, in charge. Other than that, I've given up!

the lightest is 180 grams

I've included before and after photos. I weighed the one antler he left me down in the forest, beyond the meadow. It was 457 grams (about a pound)!

Below are  three bucks, the two have lost both antlers.

Shed Hunting with Justin Hoffman
According to one of my books, the older, more mature bucks generally drop first. They often breed earlier and once the testosterone levels drop, the antlers are shed as they are not needed anymore. Saying that, it can definitely go both ways. I have found small sheds for young bucks early, such as last year, and bigger ones later. Not an exact science. Best thing to do is to begin searching early. Once the porcupines, squirrels and mice find them, they can make quick work of them.