I guess I just never thought much about it before, but what accounts for the color variations on deer? I used to assume that it was time of year but this pic got me to thinking maybe not.
What about antler color BSK. I've only heard my whole life. That deer is dark and his antlers are dark cause he lived his life in the cedars. Or his antlers are very white looking he's lived in the hardwoods. None of that can be true I don't think. Think all that is just campfire BS. Or is there anything to say about antler color or body color due to where the deer or buck lives or born.One deer has already molted to their winter coat while the other two have not.
The farm in NE where I grew up was 95% fields, 5% fence rows and creeks which were the only trees; antlers were always very light colored. Never saw any dark ones.What about antler color BSK. I've only heard my whole life. That deer is dark and his antlers are dark cause he lived his life in the cedars. Or his antlers are very white looking he's lived in the hardwoods. None of that can be true I don't think. Think all that is just campfire BS. Or is there anything to say about antler color or body color due to where the deer or buck lives or born.
What about antler color BSK. I've only heard my whole life. That deer is dark and his antlers are dark cause he lived his life in the cedars. Or his antlers are very white looking he's lived in the hardwoods. None of that can be true I don't think. Think all that is just campfire BS. Or is there anything to say about antler color or body color due to where the deer or buck lives or born.
Antler color is driven by when the buck sheds velvet and whether the velvet is fully dead or not. If the velvet is still a little alive, and bleeds when shedding, the rack will be dark. If the velvet is fully dead, and does not bleed when splitting, the rack will be light. In essence, the dark color on the rack is only a thin veneer of blood absorbed into the outer-most layer of antler bone.What about antler color BSK. I've only heard my whole life. That deer is dark and his antlers are dark cause he lived his life in the cedars. Or his antlers are very white looking he's lived in the hardwoods. None of that can be true I don't think. Think all that is just campfire BS. Or is there anything to say about antler color or body color due to where the deer or buck lives or born.
Interesting observation whistinwingman. I'll watch for that.I have observed does that still have young fawns that are still heavily feeding on them tend to keep summer coat on longer for some reason.