We had a record number of bucks this year with broken tines (and a lot of main beams) and was wondering if cheap protein pellets would cause this? Or maybe we didn't feed enough protein?

Thoughts on quality of protein making antlers weaker?

Seems to be a issue in more parts of the state than not. Mostly likely the dry period we had this summer before it started raining again. I'm sure there will be some that say the protein they "sell" would of prevented it, lol.

I agree with PP. At least in our part of the world rain during the antler producing time of the year was nonexistent.

10-4

Wasn't looking for a Double Down pitch

A very dry spring and/or dry summer can cause antlers to break more than normal. A really good protein pellet with a great mineral/trace mineral/vitamin package fed free choice can help a lot but you would still see some breakage. I had great rain from late June till end of the year and still had broken antlers this year...a bit more than normal. But I only had 6" or so from Jan till late June, then had 36" from late June till end of Dec. I have food plots and feed free choice protein year round also. A very tight buck to doe ratio can add to more antler breakage due to fighting. I usually see way more bucks than does on TC and while sitting in the blinds. I expect antler breakage every year due to that.

This was my reasoning to our lease members, but I'm still encouraging them to feed a high quality feed. Lyssy & Echols was my preferred

broken antlers here... no more no less. I believe it has more to do with age structure and competition for doe...