Missouri Whitetail bucks shed their velvet

Missouri whitetail deer bucks typically shed their velvet in late August through September. This process is a significant part of their annual cycle at RBR and is closely tied to the changes in their behavior, physical condition, and social dynamics as they prepare for the upcoming rut (breeding season). Here’s a detailed look at the velvet shedding process and its importance:

1. Understanding Velvet Shedding

• What is Velvet?
  • Velvet is a soft, blood-rich tissue that covers a buck’s growing antlers during the spring and summer. It supplies nutrients and oxygen that are essential for antler growth, allowing antlers to develop rapidly.
• Timing of Shedding:
  • The shedding of velvet usually begins in late August and continues into September, although the exact timing can vary based on factors like age, genetics, and local environmental conditions.
• Hormonal Changes:
  • As summer ends, a buck’s testosterone levels begin to rise, signaling the end of antler growth. This hormonal change causes the blood supply to the velvet to shut off, leading to the drying and shedding of the velvet.

2. The Process of Velvet Shedding

• Physical Shedding:
  • Velvet shedding can occur quite suddenly, often within a few hours to a couple of days. Bucks will typically rub their antlers against trees, bushes, and other objects to remove the drying velvet, which can hang off in strips and may appear bloody.
• Rubbing Behavior:
  • This rubbing not only helps remove the velvet but also strengthens the buck’s neck muscles in preparation for the sparring and fighting that will occur during the rut.

3. Behavioral Changes Post-Shedding

• Increased Aggression:
  • Once the velvet is shed, bucks become more territorial and aggressive, engaging in sparring matches to establish dominance hierarchies. This behavior is a precursor to the more intense battles that occur during the rut.
• Formation of Rubs and Scrapes:
  • Bucks begin making rubs on trees to mark territory and communicate their presence to other deer through scent marking. Scrapes—areas of ground where bucks paw away leaves and debris to expose the soil—are also common as they leave scent to attract does and warn other bucks.

4. Physical Changes in Bucks

• Hardened Antlers:
  • After the velvet is shed, the antlers are fully hardened and ready for use in battles for dominance and mating rights. The antlers remain until they are shed later in the winter.
• Increased Neck Size:
  • Bucks’ necks become thicker as their bodies prepare for the physical demands of the rut. This increased neck size is due to muscle growth stimulated by increased testosterone.

5. Importance to the Rut and Reproductive Success

• Preparation for the Rut:
  • Velvet shedding marks the start of the pre-rut period, where bucks begin to focus on establishing dominance and preparing for the breeding season. This is crucial for reproductive success, as only the dominant bucks usually get the chance to mate with does.
• Signals Maturity:
  • For younger bucks, velvet shedding is a rite of passage, signaling their maturity and readiness to compete with other bucks for breeding opportunities.

6. Impact on Hunting Strategies

• Increased Movement:
  • As bucks shed their velvet and begin marking territory, they become more active and visible. This increased movement makes them easier to pattern for hunters.
• Locating Rubs and Scrapes:
  • Hunters can take advantage of the increased rubbing and scraping activity to identify high-traffic areas and set up stands or blinds accordingly.

Conclusion

The shedding of velvet is a key event in a white-tailed buck’s yearly cycle, marking the transition from the relatively calm summer period to the intense pre-rut and rut phases. This change is driven by hormonal shifts that not only affect antler development but also influence behavior, social dynamics, and physical readiness for the breeding season. Understanding this process provides valuable insights into deer behavior, which is crucial for hunters, wildlife managers, and enthusiasts observing these magnificent animals.