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Q:
I read, some where, that there is a shortage in nuts and berries this year, will that affect a whitetails antler growth and size, If so how?
from wvwhitetails2008 on 10.31.09 Answer Question |
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Answers (2)
Certainly the nut crop will affect deer movement patterns when production is low.A number of years ago our acorn production was extremely low due and I feel it influenced the early departure of wood ducks from our area as well.Animals are very adaptable and will move on to other food sources;nature has a certain way about it and smaller amounts of one food source can be complimented by another.In an more remote area where whitetails do not have access to agricultural crops as a food source severe competition for food can limit available nutrients and thus impact not only sustainable life but growth as well.For an animal to reach it's genetic potential; adequate nutrition is a must regardless of location.
Deer, much like our migratory birds, have the advantage of feeding from farmers fields. The migrating birds have a smorg of grains and tasty feed crops from Northern Canada down to the Gulf. Like the ducks and geese, the huge deer populations would overwhelm the natural feed sources in many parts of the country if the farmer's fields were denied to them. People forget that there are many more deer and migratory birds since the settlement of this continent then there every were long ago.
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Certainly the nut crop will affect deer movement patterns when production is low.A number of years ago our acorn production was extremely low due and I feel it influenced the early departure of wood ducks from our area as well.Animals are very adaptable and will move on to other food sources;nature has a certain way about it and smaller amounts of one food source can be complimented by another.In an more remote area where whitetails do not have access to agricultural crops as a food source severe competition for food can limit available nutrients and thus impact not only sustainable life but growth as well.For an animal to reach it's genetic potential; adequate nutrition is a must regardless of location.
Deer, much like our migratory birds, have the advantage of feeding from farmers fields. The migrating birds have a smorg of grains and tasty feed crops from Northern Canada down to the Gulf. Like the ducks and geese, the huge deer populations would overwhelm the natural feed sources in many parts of the country if the farmer's fields were denied to them. People forget that there are many more deer and migratory birds since the settlement of this continent then there every were long ago.
Post an Answer (200 characters or less)