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March Rains = Awesome Antlers
#5643128
03/09/15 07:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 607
Antler Addicts
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 607 |
Anyone else excited about this march rain? Only every couple of years do we get a March rain where we hunt in South Texas. Its the magic month to have a strong green up for us and great antlers in fall! Just hope we do not get a late freeze.
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5643136
03/09/15 07:42 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
It takes winter rains for post rut buck to have antler growth hit its peak aslo. We have had both now with this March rain and so far we are set up for a good antler year. It will just take our average rains in April thru August for it to be a banner.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5643172
03/09/15 07:59 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 20,988
BuckRage
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 20,988 |
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5643308
03/09/15 08:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
We always have the Winter/March rains... it's the May-July that seem to be the kicker.
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5643317
03/09/15 09:01 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,273
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,273 |
The north Texas snow was a big deal. It's really slow soaks the ground. Should be awesome winter wheat crop up here
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5643422
03/09/15 09:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,515
Earl
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,515 |
I just hope it's bad for the acorn crop...damn hell food....
Last edited by Earl; 03/09/15 09:40 PM.
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Earl]
#5643487
03/09/15 10:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,948
don k
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,948 |
I just hope it's bad for the acorn crop...damn hell food.... Acorns are not your problem if you have deer. If you don't, then you can blame the lack of deer sightings on acorns.
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: don k]
#5643893
03/10/15 01:26 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,442
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,442 |
I just hope it's bad for the acorn crop...damn hell food.... Acorns are not your problem if you have deer. If you don't, then you can blame the lack of deer sightings on acorns. If there is a good acorn crop, hunt the acorns. Now is a good time to fertilize some oaks where you want the deer to be.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5643932
03/10/15 01:43 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5643951
03/10/15 01:56 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 340
mr. buck
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 340 |
Im excited about the rains we've seen in Shackelford County, its been 2010 since we've seen anything resembling this. I always hope for rains just for the health of the herd and the ecosystem in general out there. That said, I have noticed in the 15 years I've hunted south of Albany that wet conditions don't necessarily mean larger antlers for us. I assume its because the protein consumption literally gets cut in half and maybe more in wet years. I thought I was imagining this until I read the same thing on another board from some very reputable posters. But I will gladly give up inches of horn for good range conditions!
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: mr. buck]
#5644049
03/10/15 02:46 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 239
2012hvt
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 239 |
Im excited about the rains we've seen in Shackelford County, its been 2010 since we've seen anything resembling this. I always hope for rains just for the health of the herd and the ecosystem in general out there. That said, I have noticed in the 15 years I've hunted south of Albany that wet conditions don't necessarily mean larger antlers for us. I assume its because the protein consumption literally gets cut in half and maybe more in wet years. I thought I was imagining this until I read the same thing on another board from some very reputable posters. But I will gladly give up inches of horn for good range conditions! Anyone want to elaborate on this? I'd like to hear more.
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5644100
03/10/15 03:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,203
Ramsey
Pepe' Le Pew
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Pepe' Le Pew
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,203 |
September Yet? I keep checking, but no such luck
Big Beckett!!
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: 2012hvt]
#5644123
03/10/15 03:17 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Im excited about the rains we've seen in Shackelford County, its been 2010 since we've seen anything resembling this. I always hope for rains just for the health of the herd and the ecosystem in general out there. That said, I have noticed in the 15 years I've hunted south of Albany that wet conditions don't necessarily mean larger antlers for us. I assume its because the protein consumption literally gets cut in half and maybe more in wet years. I thought I was imagining this until I read the same thing on another board from some very reputable posters. But I will gladly give up inches of horn for good range conditions! Anyone want to elaborate on this? I'd like to hear more. IME it was from poor habitat. I managed a ranch in the Hill Country that had been root plowed and then grazed very hard for 30+ years till it changed hands with a new owner. We started to take deer numbers off and feeding free choice 20% protein year round in 1990. We had some decent browse in areas and some forb growth in some areas. The deer got on feed quickly the first year. There was a few bucks in the 3-4 yr old age class but I did not see one 10 point the first year in 1989. I did see 4-10 points the first year on feed. The deer continued to get better with age and the increased nutrition. The top end deer increased every year. 1992 was a very wet year (way above average) then after that the rainfall steadily decreased and was below average every year from 1993 until 1997. I always believed that the deer were better in years when it was below average due to age and protein. The quality of browse was not the greatest even still and the forb production was mainly in spring only. So by late May till fall the deer had nothing of high quality to eat other than the protein. They had low end browse mostly that was very low in protein. Late Summer and Fall brought on mast crops which were low in protein but high in amounts of it with persimmon and oak. The drought period from Oct 1995 till Aug 1996 only had 6" of rain but that year the ranch produced bucks up into the 180 class with native genetics to that county. The over all herd had improved in body size also. Doe weights were up 40% from when we started. I think that the deer had enough browse, forbes and mast crops to live on but not do them enough nutritional wise to see the true genetic potential without the protein supplement. The average of most of the browse plants were well below 16% protein content. The forb production was not much better and it was only for a short window during the spring.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5644129
03/10/15 03:20 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,670
bp3
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,670 |
Clay Young told me a few years ago That in Mexico during wet years the antler growth wasn't as good because the deer avoided the protein, not totally but enough to tell the difference.
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5644141
03/10/15 03:25 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,670
bp3
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,670 |
I heard years ago that with good rains in late winter helped but also that lots of sun shine during May helped antler growth.
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: bp3]
#5644164
03/10/15 03:36 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
I heard years ago that with good rains in late winter helped but also that lots of sun shine during May helped antler growth. It used to be that May was the highest rainfall month in South Texas. That brought on huge Mesquite Bean crops and kept forb growth up, which both were a boost to deer if they had a good spring. Lot of areas in South Texas can still see very good and even new forb growth at that time of the year also.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5644181
03/10/15 03:47 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,442
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,442 |
I do not know about the rest of y'all but any moisture during a drought is good
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: Antler Addicts]
#5644263
03/10/15 04:20 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498 |
No doubt. Everything around here is saturated. Should be a good wildflower season as well.
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: stxranchman]
#5644330
03/10/15 05:15 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 239
2012hvt
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 239 |
G Im excited about the rains we've seen in Shackelford County, its been 2010 since we've seen anything resembling this. I always hope for rains just for the health of the herd and the ecosystem in general out there. That said, I have noticed in the 15 years I've hunted south of Albany that wet conditions don't necessarily mean larger antlers for us. I assume its because the protein consumption literally gets cut in half and maybe more in wet years. I thought I was imagining this until I read the same thing on another board from some very reputable posters. But I will gladly give up inches of horn for good range conditions! Anyone want to elaborate on this? I'd like to hear more. IME it was from poor habitat. I managed a ranch in the Hill Country that had been root plowed and then grazed very hard for 30+ years till it changed hands with a new owner. We started to take deer numbers off and feeding free choice 20% protein year round in 1990. We had some decent browse in areas and some forb growth in some areas. The deer got on feed quickly the first year. There was a few bucks in the 3-4 yr old age class but I did not see one 10 point the first year in 1989. I did see 4-10 points the first year on feed. The deer continued to get better with age and the increased nutrition. The top end deer increased every year. 1992 was a very wet year (way above average) then after that the rainfall steadily decreased and was below average every year from 1993 until 1997. I always believed that the deer were better in years when it was below average due to age and protein. The quality of browse was not the greatest even still and the forb production was mainly in spring only. So by late May till fall the deer had nothing of high quality to eat other than the protein. They had low end browse mostly that was very low in protein. Late Summer and Fall brought on mast crops which were low in protein but high in amounts of it with persimmon and oak. The drought period from Oct 1995 till Aug 1996 only had 6" of rain but that year the ranch produced bucks up into the 180 class with native genetics to that county. The over all herd had improved in body size also. Doe weights were up 40% from when we started. I think that the deer had enough browse, forbes and mast crops to live on but not do them enough nutritional wise to see the true genetic potential without the protein supplement. The average of most of the browse plants were well below 16% protein content. The forb production was not much better and it was only for a short window during the spring. I am the only one feeding protein for miles around (scurry county, all low fence). I would assume that a wet year will be overall better due to the lack of supplemental feeding in the area???
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: 2012hvt]
#5644586
03/10/15 01:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
G Im excited about the rains we've seen in Shackelford County, its been 2010 since we've seen anything resembling this. I always hope for rains just for the health of the herd and the ecosystem in general out there. That said, I have noticed in the 15 years I've hunted south of Albany that wet conditions don't necessarily mean larger antlers for us. I assume its because the protein consumption literally gets cut in half and maybe more in wet years. I thought I was imagining this until I read the same thing on another board from some very reputable posters. But I will gladly give up inches of horn for good range conditions! Anyone want to elaborate on this? I'd like to hear more. IME it was from poor habitat. I managed a ranch in the Hill Country that had been root plowed and then grazed very hard for 30+ years till it changed hands with a new owner. We started to take deer numbers off and feeding free choice 20% protein year round in 1990. We had some decent browse in areas and some forb growth in some areas. The deer got on feed quickly the first year. There was a few bucks in the 3-4 yr old age class but I did not see one 10 point the first year in 1989. I did see 4-10 points the first year on feed. The deer continued to get better with age and the increased nutrition. The top end deer increased every year. 1992 was a very wet year (way above average) then after that the rainfall steadily decreased and was below average every year from 1993 until 1997. I always believed that the deer were better in years when it was below average due to age and protein. The quality of browse was not the greatest even still and the forb production was mainly in spring only. So by late May till fall the deer had nothing of high quality to eat other than the protein. They had low end browse mostly that was very low in protein. Late Summer and Fall brought on mast crops which were low in protein but high in amounts of it with persimmon and oak. The drought period from Oct 1995 till Aug 1996 only had 6" of rain but that year the ranch produced bucks up into the 180 class with native genetics to that county. The over all herd had improved in body size also. Doe weights were up 40% from when we started. I think that the deer had enough browse, forbes and mast crops to live on but not do them enough nutritional wise to see the true genetic potential without the protein supplement. The average of most of the browse plants were well below 16% protein content. The forb production was not much better and it was only for a short window during the spring. I am the only one feeding protein for miles around (scurry county, all low fence). I would assume that a wet year will be overall better due to the lack of supplemental feeding in the area??? Most areas are at CC with the habitat they have. So when you get the rains at the right time, then yes you will see a better year (if have a good mix of all age classes of bucks also). The key is rains at the right times. The deer eating protein you have been feeding should be ahead of the other deer as far body condition and take advantage of the higher protein growth after the rains. They will not have to re-coop body condition and can utilize the new growth browse/forbs into other areas such as antler growth or fawn development.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: March Rains = Awesome Antlers
[Re: stxranchman]
#5644622
03/10/15 02:15 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,001
tlk
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,001 |
Over the years is sure seems that some of the best bucks are killed during drought years and not wet years. I have heard all kinds of theories on this - the eat the protein more during drought, they don't have to move around as much when range conditions are good, etc. But on our lease over the years some of the best deer have been taken when rainfall did not hit right or was nonexistent. Last year was very wet for us and we had a deer in the 200 plus score drop to a 197. Also had a 175 go to 201 during a very bad drought year back in 2008-2009. So I am not always sure what to wish for on rain
You can't fix stupid
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