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Growing Trophy Deer

A "trophy" whitetail, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Some say any whitetail is a trophy and I tend to agree. However, for purposes of defining a trophy caliber buck, I think the best overall explanation is a buck that has reached his maximum body and antler size. For this definition there are three main components to developing a trophy deer. They are: Age, Nutrition, and Genetics.

Age:
A buck does not reach his greatest antler potential until after the age of three. During his first three years body & skeletal development take priority over antler growth and only after the body and skeletal requirements are met will significant amounts of surplus nutrition be diverted into antler growth.

Nutrition:
The organic makeup of antlers during the growing stage is almost entirely protein. Even after mineralization (hardening) is complete, a good portion of protein remains in these antlers. To grow the best set of antlers that his genetics and age will allow, a deer needs food containing at least 16% to 18% "digestible" crude protein. (Not all proteins are digestible to a deer.)
Note: The browse available to a wild free ranging deer averages about 10 to 12% protein. This is why some many deer managers plan supplemental food plots specifically for deer.

The most important factor in growing trophy antlers is to provide the buck with nutrient rich food during the growth period from April through October.

Running a close second, is providing the buck with nutrient rich food in the winter months after the breeding season. This insures that the buck enters the antler growth period fully stocked up on the nutrients it needs to grow the biggest set of antlers that his genetics and age will allow.

Calcium is an element needed by deer during and after the antler growth period. Although a deer can borrow calcium from bones in other parts of his body and utilize it for antler growth, he still needs foods that contain a minimum of 0.45% calcium.

Phosphorus is also needed for antler growth. Although dietary phosphorus requirements are not completely known, it is believed that the lowest level a deer needs for adequate antler growth and other body functions is 0.30%.

Vitamin D is important in promoting calcium absorption and mineralization of bone. A deer gets all the Vitamin D he needs by absorbing ultraviolet light through its skin and eating vegetation that has been in direct sunlight.

Vitamin A is important to antler development once the bone hardening begins. Carotenes in "green" leaves can be converted to Vitamin A. Green leaves can become scarce during the winter months, but remain an important part of the deer's diet.

Genetics:
To maximize the genetic potential in your area you need to take steps to insure that the best bucks are breeding the does.

To do this you must first balance the buck to doe ratio to a level of 2/1 or 3/1. Having a balanced herd ratio will provide a platform for setting up a harvest plan that allows you to cull bucks with less desirable antler characteristics from the herd.