March 2021 • Nebraskaland 57
s days lengthen each spring, deer testosterone
levels see a rapid decline; these two factors
combined trigger antler shedding.
Checking station and telecheck observations of
harvested bucks and game camera studies determined
that some white-tailed deer drop their antlers as early
as December while others may keep their antlers until
late April. However, the majority of white-tailed deer
in central Nebraska — more than 80 percent — drop
their antlers by early March. Ninety-nine percent of all
whitetails drop their antlers by the beginning of April.
Younger deer typically hold their antlers longer.
Older, stressed or unhealthy deer generally shed their
antlers earlier.
SHED?
when they
Finding a trophy antler, like this one from Washington County, is the object of shed hunters. Ninety-nine percent of all white-
tailed deer drop their antlers by the beginning of April.
A
PHOTO
BY
JENNY
NGUYEN-WHEATLEY
ANTLERS
