Button bucks.

[Sol]

I'm not sure if anyone can weigh into this, but weirdly I cant I cant find any data into what happens within the first two years of a deer's life regarding antler development, I know it might be sort of a stupid question on that aspect but I'd rather have my facts straight.

I'm obviously aware the pedicel has to form, however I've seen americans claiming in whitetail the fawns have "hard" antler buttons by January (dependant on state, obviously) that shed like regular antlers and they go onto growing there first (usually) spike set the upcoming summer.

Is that how It works? I've heard conflicting things from several people by a LOT of people unusually ranging from button bucks actually being spikes that are smaller, them "taking the year off" and not growing antlers that following summer and so forth, and I haven't shot enough young deer in the UK too actually as I'd imagine ours do the same but with different timeframes obviously.

I'd have to guess, either there shedding hard antler buttons and growing that second set.
or the "button" bucks with hard antlers they talk about are actually deer with poor nutrition that are 1 1/2

Anyone actually know, and are able to set me straight?

 

[Sol]

I think after talking with a handful of it through my original assumption was correct, and It appeared to be a "Hunters" myth deer that have "hard" buttons are just genetically inferior or nutritionally weakened (e.g late fawning) 1 1/2 year old deer.

I had started to doubt myself in what was correct as a lot of my daily life, includes oversea individuals so there "myths" regarding hunting also somewhat rub off on me.

at least I'm not like someone I know who believes red/sika calves dont grow antlers until there 3 1/2!

 

[SOE]

Hi ,Had to put down a button roe buck today, he was very small and under developed..checked his teeth and that confirmed that he was a yearling as I had thought..probably injured by the local stand buck....Krs Tony Deer Emergency-New Forest