When do Mule Deer shed velvet?

Joe · 07-09-2008, 09:40 PM

I'm surprised to say I've never hunted Mule Deer with the bow. Just haven't got around to it yet but I might this year. I would really rather not kill one in the velvet. I killed a nice 4x4 Blacktail opening day of bow season one year and froze it for a year to preserve the velvet but bugs to it and ruined it.

So when is the date you could figure most mature Mulies would be hard horned?

lor · 07-09-2008, 09:55 PM

Might not be the same, all over eastern oregon.
But in my area, most deer have lost all velvet by the second week of the season.
After that any deer I've seen that still have some velvet are generally button bucks or small spikes.

TAILOUT · 07-10-2008, 06:11 AM

I shot a 4 point in the October rifle hunt in 2000 that was in full velvet. When I grabbed his horns to drag him out it all ended up sheding off in my hand. Got it to camp cleaned the horns up and they were totally white. It was pretty cool.

Ghost hunter · 07-10-2008, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAILOUT

I shot a 4 point in the October rifle hunt in 2000 that was in full velvet. When I grabbed his horns to drag him out it all ended up sheding off in my hand. Got it to camp cleaned the horns up and they were totally white. It was pretty cool.

Was it casturated?

D3smartie · 07-10-2008, 08:25 AM

Man I love hunting the big bucks in velvet.

Blue Tip Spinner · 07-10-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lor

Might not be the same, all over eastern oregon.
But in my area, most deer have lost all velvet by the second week of the season.
After that any deer I've seen that still have some velvet are generally button bucks or small spikes.

SandyRiverFisher · 07-10-2008, 10:53 AM

we hunted Eastern Oregon the first week last year and all but one buck had already scraped that we saw. Some years though they will be all velvet until a week or two into the season.

225nontypical · 07-10-2008, 11:29 AM

the big buck i killed last year had his velvet and it was September 8th. from year to year it is a little different but usually by the beginning of September most will have shed it. i have seen a black tail still in the velvet in lat October. he was a 6X6 that got killed out by scotts mills.

spottedhawk36 · 07-10-2008, 02:55 PM

In my years of hunting easten oregon the bigger bucks are bare bone opening weekend and by the second weekend all the bucks are pretty much bare bone. saw a nice 5x5 day before archery season some years ago and he was pretty much bare boned with dry velvet hanging from his rack looked cool.

Joe · 07-10-2008, 06:54 PM

Thanks..sounds like with the late opener this year it shouldn't be an issue.

sprigkiller09 · 07-10-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 225nontypical

the big buck i killed last year had his velvet and it was September 8th. from year to year it is a little different but usually by the beginning of September most will have shed it. i have seen a black tail still in the velvet in lat October. he was a 6X6 that got killed out by scotts mills.

Pics??? Im gonna need proof

Buglemn · 07-10-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

I'm surprised to say I've never hunted Mule Deer with the bow. Just haven't got around to it yet but I might this year. I would really rather not kill one in the velvet. I killed a nice 4x4 Blacktail opening day of bow season one year and froze it for a year to preserve the velvet but bugs to it and ruined it.

So when is the date you could figure most mature Mulies would be hard horned?

WHEN THEIR DONE GROWING.

COULD'NT RESIST.