Deer breeding...just a dumb question...

Good question.

We, as humans and also deer hunters, like to assign what we believe is the best genetics for a male deer. That is usually in the form of large symmetrical antlers.

The larger the antlers the better the genes says us.

Probably not true in all cases. The biggest and baddest looking antlered buck (by our estimation) might be the deer herd's local DORK.

I am reminded that when Mitch Rompola (no, I don't want to start another Mitch thread )was hunting that whopper that was supposedly a "potential world record" there was a much smaller 8 pointer that was daily running that buck off and servicing the does.

There is an article in my favorite deer magazine (actually the only one I subscribe to) Deer & Deer Hunting that addresses this subject. I haven't read it yet, but I will.

To me... genes is genes is genes... deer or humans.

I think qdm could work on closely watched deer herds like on a ranch. These people see the same bucks every year and know if they are growing big racks and how old they are. They know which ones to cull. I am not personally good enough to judge a small buck and tell what kind of rack it will have when it matures. I pass on it and if it breeds inferrior genes ............then oh well .


Did someone mention Mitch Rompola ?

Immature bucks do not have as much chance to breed as mature bucks do and so have less chance to pass on their genes. By allowing young bucks to reach maturity, they have a better chance of passing on their genes, whether good or bad. This increases genetic diversity and makes for a healthier herd.

However, a relatively small number of the most aggressive bucks will do the majority of the breeding in a given area, and these bucks are seldom the ones with the largest antlers. Indeed, the energy devoted to aggressively seeking and mating with does takes away from the energy stores for growing a big rack the next season. Even though a buck may have the genetics for a huge rack, it may have such an energy deficit from breeding that it can not reach its full potential the next spring.

It has been proved many times over that the key to big bucks is also good genetics of the hosting doe.

It all boils down to Darwin’s survival of the fittest. In a well-balanced herd, the dominant bucks pass on the best genes. This does not mean the best antler growing genes it just means the best survival genes. If immature bucks and subordinate bucks are allowed to breed then all the genes are mixed in and you never know what you will get.