Velvet-What the heck is going on?

Water Ready · 02-22-2005, 06:24 PM

Well, Now I've seen it all! :whazzup:
Been watchn'a herd of elk, and was somewhat shocked today. 3 bulls with new growth horns, approx. 8" tall. I have been watching these guys,(or daddy's) for 10 years. Never, have they had the velvet this early. Is it this whole climate change thing? One looks to be branching, but only small now. One spike with at least 8" velvet , judging by the ears. In years past they have shown first part of march to mid-march, but never this early.
What the heck is going on?

Now, just one other footnote--Saw a small buck the other day that also had new velvet.
Any ideas?

sliverpicker · 02-22-2005, 08:02 PM

Bulls with velvet already!

Most elk I keep tabs on don't start dropping their antlers until mid-March.

My hunting partner in John Day found a big 3pt muley shed last week that was in full velvet! A couple guys he knows actually witnessed several bucks breeding doe's within the last 10 days :whazzup:

sliverpicker

Chromaflage · 02-22-2005, 08:37 PM

What's really strange is that I visited Wildlife Safari last weekend. Their Rosie bulls had full racks with no velvet!!!! I was surprised to see that.

CrF

baltz526 · 02-23-2005, 06:11 AM

when the elk and deer shed, is more influnced by the spring green up and the amount of food available, than the date on the calender.the warm weather we had a couple weeks ago turned on the green up. and caused the hormonal change in the elk/deer to start.

sliverpicker · 02-23-2005, 06:21 AM

baltz526...my buddy in John Day said the red-winged blackbirds have already arrived in the J.D.Valley (6 weeks early), yet most of the mule bucks are still packing their antlers! In a normal year they start finding LOTS of shed antlers in early February.

Weird!

sliverpicker

baltz526 · 02-23-2005, 06:47 AM

i was near post monday, we saw about 100 deer but no antlers. 4 bull elk with antlers. but the fields have just started to green up.so if we get a warm spell the antlers will be dropping. big deer drop before small to mid size deer.

D4570 · 02-23-2005, 07:15 AM

:whazzup:I've seen some of our Elk hold there antlers in to end of April. I have seen Velvet in to December!

Wreckless · 02-23-2005, 07:46 AM

I saw a spike bull on the way to crabbing Monday morning that had what looked like regular hard horns.......er, I mean, antlers....who knows

Water Ready · 02-23-2005, 06:58 PM

Still am wondering why this year is so different. I have seen this same pattern of weather, and climate change in the last 10 years, but nothing affected them this way. Grass is no greener here and I have only had to mow my yard once in 4 weeks.
Had another bull show up today and he too was in the velvet!

Not only that, but watched them spar for about 30 min. Tore the crap out of the area, they were playing in.

Happy Huntn'