Ok, this buck with antlers was my main target this year, a good solid thick 8 pt with some kickers. Good deer for my area. He pulled a Houdini act and disappeared shortly after bow season started last year, but recently showed up (date on pic is correct). Happy to see him back for possibly another year. But, still hanging on to those antlers at the end of March....should I be concerned?

It's no doubt rare, but I wouldn't worry yet.

IMO it shows he is very healthy and more of a dominant buck, he was still chasing doe fawns as an active breeder.

Thanks for the input. I was thinking along the same lines STX but didn't know how long antlers could be held without it adversely affecting the next years growth.

A quick look at the recent pics shows no antlered bucks, with some just starting to show nubbins. I will look more closely to see if I can distinguish anything that shows this guy dropped and is still around.

Absolutely nothing to be concerned about and not that unusual.