Do Hunters Effect Antler Genetics

[AHayes111]

As I posted earlier, the NDA has done multiple studies and even in highly controlled environments, genetics just doesn't make that much difference.

Strike 3 for the Myth of the Genetic “Cull Buck”

The facts have been thoroughly checked: We can’t manage genetics of wild deer and produce measurable change. A new study help bury an old myth about cull bucks.

deerassociation.com

Why We Can’t Manage Deer Genetics | National Deer Association

deerassociation.com

The first article did little to convince me that we are having no effect. The first two studied are just too short to see any results when it comes to genetics. I am actually alarmed that there was a 7 inch difference in the 15 year study. I would have thought if would have been less and with genetics the longer the time frame the larger the difference will become. We have been high grading mule deer for much longer than 15 years.

 

[WRO]

The first article did little to convince me that we are having no effect. The first two studied are just too short to see any results when it comes to genetics. I am actually alarmed that there was a 7 inch difference in the 15 year study. I would have thought if would have been less and with genetics the longer the time frame the larger the difference will become. We have been high grading mule deer for much longer than 15 years.

It’s whitetail dudes trying to talk about mule deer, they’re not the same by a damn site.


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[EdP]

As a whitetail guy that's not buying what they are selling either, it would interest me to hear what differences you think are relevant between the species.

 

[AHayes111]

As a whitetail guy that's not buying what they are selling either, it would interest me to hear what differences you think are relevant between the species.

The biggest difference between whitetail and mule deer is the way they rut. Whitetail bucks latch on to one hot doe and then move on when she is no longer receptive. Mule deer are more likely to have a harem of does that they will tend to most of the rut.

 

[AHayes111]

It’s whitetail dudes trying to talk about mule deer, they’re not the same by a damn site.


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I have dealt with SClancy on other things and he is a smart guy. I look forward to meeting him.
However. like your friend I have and extensive antler collection and some of the stuff that collecting those antlers has taught me just can not be explained by nutrition.

 

[WRO]

As a whitetail guy that's not buying what they are selling either, it would interest me to hear what differences you think are relevant between the species.

Mule deer are typically much less densely populated, dominant bucks do significantly more breeding just by that fact alone as they can gather big harems of does and are much more protecive (probably because its easier) than WT imho.

 

[Skerhunter]

If you want to learn more about it research - “phenotypic gene expression based on maternal health”

You can dig further and read about the effect of this over generations and it gets more interesting.

At the end of the day you need big buck genes to produce big bucks BUT you will never see them expressed phenotypically if the doe are in poor health.

 

[EdP]

The biggest difference between whitetail and mule deer is the way they rut. Whitetail bucks latch on to one hot doe and then move on when she is no longer receptive. Mule deer are more likely to have a harem of does that they will tend to most of the rut.

With this difference that both you and WRO described, it would seem to me that mule deer populations would be more susceptible to genetic influences from natural selection for large antlers than WT. While that dominant WT buck is busy with his hot doe for 2 or 3 days, some other less dominant buck is potentially having his way with another doe that has come into heat. The dominant MD buck has rounded up all the does he can to have all for himself at the expense of less dominant bucks.

 

[ChrisA]

Of course.. But in many cases, the mother's average genetic potential is going to balance out between the high genetic potential bucks and the low ones. If half of the genetic component is continually being degraded, the average and range of outcomes is going to be degraded.

And to think in this fictional case that Danny Devito would need Brittney Griner for a baby mama and lebron to have mama June for it to be close haha!

That's a disturbing thought.