Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

Two controversial questions related to deer genetics are: (1)
How does someone evaluate a deer’s genetic potential on the hoof?, and
(2) How should genetics for antler size be managed in a free-ranging
deer herd? The controversy primarily stems from two long-term research
projects focusing on the relationship between a yearling buck’s
antler size and the buck’s potential for antler development at maturity.
One study was conducted in Texas at Kerr Wildlife Management Area
(WMA) and the other in Mississippi at Mississippi State University
(MSU). Both studies examined how accurately a buck’s antlers at 1-1/
2 years of age predicts that same buck’s antler size at maturity.
Although the two studies appear to have been very similar, their
final results were very different. After many years of research using
penned deer of known lineage (i.e., pedigree) on high quality diets, researchers
at Kerr WMA concluded: (1) antler quality at maturity can
be predicted based on yearling antler size: spikes will not produce as
good antlers at 4-1/2 years of age as bucks with six or more points as
yearlings, (2) antler formation is genetically controlled and environmentally
influenced, and (3) selection for antler quality based on yearling
antlers can improve overall antler quality in future buck cohorts (Harmel
et al. 1998, Ott et al. 1998). Based on these findings, researchers concluded
deer managers could improve overall antler quality of their deer
herds over time by removing all yearling spikes. By removing the undesirable
deer (yearling spikes), superior bucks are left to breed and,
over time, the average antler size of bucks on the property will increase
solely due to genetic manipulation according to the Texas researchers.
On the other hand, researchers at MSU conducted a similar
long-term study using captive deer and got very different results. The
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