Warm weather influence elk shedding?

[Kodiak]

With the weather in the high 50 to low 60s for the rest of the week here in NW Wyoming, I was wondering if anyone had an experience with elk dropping antlers earlier due to warmer than usual weather? I am already anticipating them being up high and maybe more in the timber when they start dropping.

 

[MuleyFever]

Wouldn't warmer weather cause less stress on the animals and lead to them keeping their antlers longer. In my experience with whitetails milder winters would lead to them keeping their antlers, sometimes until May. I don't know much about elk though.

 

[wyosteve]

If I recall from reading years ago, horn shedding is triggered by the amount of daylight, just like the rut. So, I don't think the warm weather will influence it to any degree.

 

[rayporter]

a technicality, but it is length of darkness, not length of daylight that triggers the hormones.

on the other hand i have seen trees budding and flowers blooming already. and am pretty sure i seen frog eggs in a puddle, too.

 

[mtmiller]

photoperiod, not darkness....

 

[MuleyFever]

Some info if your interested. I knew I heard stress could be a factor.
https://www.qdma.com/articles/causes-of-early-antler-casting

"Again, photoperiod has a major influence on testosterone levels and thus the timing of antler casting, but other factors can impact them too. Nutrition is important, as bucks in good physical condition generally retain their antlers longer than those who are nutritionally stressed. Widespread early antler casting may signify a nutritionally stressed herd resulting from too many deer for what the habitat can support."

 

[Ross]

Many theories on antler drop.....from my own experience and thoughts several variables...some bulls simply drop earlier than others...I collected one bull in 3 consecutive years and even as an avg 6 he dropped in March which was odd for his size....did he drop because he was an early calf, possibly....he also would drop his antlers very close together which for anyone who shed hunts you know this is not common and a pleasant surprise. Some theorize new green growth does something after a winter of just filling the belly and you get some nutrients and off they come. Many things to consider and that being said is that the only constant is learn your area and each year that area some will start to drop regardless of anything else, just some drop early, some don't, others drop very close to each other and others will pack one for days irregardless of size.

 

[Kodiak]

Thanks for the info guys, I guess I will just have to get out every weekend and see