White-tailed deer antlers are bone structures grown and shed annually, a defining characteristic of the male of the species. This yearly cycle is tied directly to seasonal changes and the buck’s overall health. In Wisconsin, understanding this process is of interest to wildlife enthusiasts and outdoorsmen. Shedding marks the end of the breeding season and prepares the buck for the coming spring.
The Specific Timing of Shedding in Wisconsin
Antler shedding in Wisconsin begins in late December and continues through March. The peak shedding period generally occurs during January and February.
The exact timing is influenced by several local factors, including individual deer health and nutritional status. Stress from an intense rut or a severe winter with limited food sources can cause an earlier decline in the hormones that keep the antlers attached. Consequently, a buck in poor condition often sheds before a well-fed, healthy one, creating variability within the herd.
Biological Triggers for Antler Casting
Antler casting is governed by the rapid decline in testosterone levels. Following the rut, a buck’s testosterone production naturally decreases. This hormonal drop is initiated by the shortening daylight hours, a process known as the photoperiod.
The reduction in testosterone triggers specialized bone cells called osteoclasts to become active at the antler’s base. These cells resorb the bony tissue connecting the antler to the pedicle, the permanent protrusion on the skull. This creates a weakened separation layer, called the abscission layer. Once this attachment can no longer support the antler’s weight, it falls off.
The Post-Shedding Regrowth Cycle
Once the antler is cast, the pedicle is left as an open wound that quickly heals. Almost immediately, regrowth begins with the formation of a soft, vascular structure covered in “velvet.” This velvet is rich with blood vessels that supply the developing bone structure with oxygen, minerals, and nutrients.
Antler growth is the fastest form of bone growth in the animal kingdom, continuing through the spring and summer months. By late summer or early fall, the growth rate slows, and the antlers begin to mineralize, hardening into solid bone. As testosterone levels rise in preparation for the rut, blood flow to the velvet ceases, causing it to dry out and peel away. The buck then rubs the remaining velvet off against trees and brush, completing the cycle with a new, hard set of antlers.
Tips for Finding Shed Antlers
The most productive time to search for shed antlers in Wisconsin is after the bulk of the deer have shed, typically from late February through the first snow melt in March or early April. Searching too early may disturb bucks still carrying their antlers. Focusing the search on specific high-traffic areas will yield the best results.
Feeding Areas
Feeding areas are prime locations, as bucks spend a large amount of time here. Antlers may be loosened when bucks jostle with other deer or move their heads. These areas include standing corn fields, food plots, and areas with concentrated browse.
Travel Corridors
Travel corridors are the trails deer use between their feeding and bedding locations. These are excellent spots, especially near obstacles like fence crossings or ditches that force a jarring jump, which can dislodge an antler.
Bedding Areas
Bedding areas are typically thick stands of conifers or south-facing slopes that offer thermal cover and sunlight during cold winter days. When searching these spots, look for the distinct shape of a tine sticking up out of the leaf litter or snow. Many experienced shed hunters utilize binoculars to scan thick cover from a distance, which is a less intrusive way to search.