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Proper management of the deer herd are usually the most effect deer hunting tips. If you are a trophy hunter, your goal is to find and harvest a deer with large antlers. Every hunter dreams of bagging a deer with a humongous rack. I don't know any hunter who has not shared stories about huge antlers. They talk about the number of points, how big the spread was, the diameter of the antler, how long the tines were, etc. The question is, how can you increase the chances that the deer you are hunting will have large antlers?

There are three main factors that decide the overall size of a buck's antlers.

1. Genetics

2. Diet

3. Age

The genetics of a deer help to determine how big the antlers have the "potential" to get. In other words maximum antler size is a trait that is inherited. This is a fact that experienced deer hunters and game managers know and that science has proven. Leases are often managed in a way to produce the biggest bucks by limiting the size of the antlers that are permitted to be harvested. The gene pool of a deer population can be "antlered up" by limiting the number of deer that can be killed who have genetically superior racks and increasing the kill rate of those buck with genetically inferior racks. The actual effect of these strategies is questionable, but the though process and fact basis of this practice is very sensible. The fact is that culling of deer with inferior genetics is seldom possible when you consider the number of other deer killed within a population.

Nutrition is the second factor which determines antler size. Even with optimal genetics, the deer will not realize its full potential if the animal does not receive the proper nutrition. Most experienced hunters have hunted through seasons where drought has affected the food sources for the deer and the large antlered deer just weren't there. It is crucial for the deer population to receive adequate nutrition year-round if they are to reach their antler producing potential. Most antler growth takes place during the Spring and Summer months so this is the most important time. Inferior foliage growth during these months can greatly limit antler growth. Good habitat management can help alleviate the toll taken. Supplemental feedings are sometimes needed.

The final factor is age, however research suggests that once a buck has reached 3+ years of age genetics and nutrition play a larger part in antler growth. The size of the antler tends to increase greatly during the first few years of age and then to level off sometime between the fourth to sixth year depending on the breed and its genetics. For this reason, the harvesting of bucks younger than 4 years is not encouraged. The practice by insensitive hunters of culling bucks that are too young can lead to such colorful expressions from more experienced hunters as, "That deer still had milk on its breath." It is best overall to harvest only the mature bucks. If you are in need of venison and a mature buck is not in evidence then harvest a doe. The hunt next season will reap the benefit.

We are hoping that you use these deer hunting tips during the upcoming deer hunting season. Please visit www.Deer-HuntingTips.com for more advanced deer hunting tips you can use this year.

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