These are special animals that often attract a lot of attention from hunters and wildlife watchers alike.”ĭo you have a hunting, fishing or wildlife-related question for a Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologist? Submit your question to Jerry Neal Your question may be used in an upcoming “Ask the Biologist” segment on Colorado Outdoors Online. So, as you can see, there are a variety of factors that can cause nontypical antler growth in deer and elk, but each of these scenarios can make for some incredible looking antlers. Most bulls that survive beyond 12 years will soon start to regress in antler development. Bulls will typically reach their peak antler development somewhere between the age of 8 to 12 years. This is from the animal putting more energy into healing the injury rather than toward antler growth. How long does it take for elk to regrow antlers Shortly thereafter the antler growing process begins again. For example, if a buck or bull has an injured leg, their antlers may become deformed or stunted. Lastly, bodily injuries can affect how antlers develop. Animals with this condition often grow points and spikes in all directions and are sometimes referred to as “sticker” bucks or bulls. Instead, They will have a large mass of velvet near the pedicle. Bucks or bulls with low testosterone levels often will not shed their velvet at all. In addition, hormone levels can also affect antler growth. New antlers begin to regrow immediately so that they are ready in time to use as weapons against rival males in the next mating season. His enormous, nontypical antlers earned appreciation from photographers, wildlife watchers and big-game hunters. This amazing buck was seen near Colorado Springs in 2011. Let’s take a look at the extraordinary life of pronghorns, the only animal that sheds its horns. There is, however, one exception: the pronghorn. This is often the case where non-typical antlered bulls or bucks are common in a specific area. Kudus and bighorn sheep, bison and domestic cows, mountain goats and impalas. Genetics also play a role in antler development. that make it useful (adaptive) for deer to cast and regrow antlers each year. However, if the velvet gets severely damaged, the bull or buck will likely display non-typical antler growth that season, but the antlers will grow normally the following year - if the velvet is unharmed. Antler-beam length in North American elk (wapiti) can reach 64 inches (163. The velvet protects blood vessels and the soft material developing underneath that eventually becomes the hardened antler. If a buck or bull has a damaged pedicle, the animal will likely have nontypical antlers every year.Īntlers in the velvet stage are also susceptible to becoming damaged or deformed. This often happens at an early age or right after the animal has shed its antlers in the spring. During the regrowth process, a buck’s antlers can grow anywhere between 1/4 1/2 in length per day, usually slowing down towards the end of the cycle. One of the most common causes of nontypical antlers happens when the buck or bull damages the pedicle or base where the antlers grow. “There are several factors that can cause non-typical or deformed antlers.
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