red deer

bigredstag

Can anyone let me know why all the red deer stags in my area have really small antlers. For example a 14 pointer but only 12" high. But all the deer in this area are the same. I came across 4 stags yesterday all similar in size but tiny antlers.

greengrasscork

Where is your area?

bigredstag

greengrasscork wrote: »

Where is your area?

Im afraid I can't mention where it is. As they may not be there for too long if I did.
As I'm sure you'd agree. ;-)

clivej

Low minerals in what they are eating. Not enough to promote the antlers growth.

bigredstag

clivej wrote: »

Low minerals in what they are eating. Not enough to promote the antlers growth.

How can I help to promote antler growth? As in licks and the like. Which one be the best?

The Aussie

bigredstag wrote: »

How can I help to promote antler growth? As in licks and the like. Which one be the best?

Put out mineral licks next Spring, it's obviously to late for this season (:pac:) you will have to keep them coated in Molasses to get them to ingest it otherwise it will take years to become part of their accepted diet, or alternatively I see you can get Apple flavoured ones in the UK, I don't know about these but one thing Deer love is Apple, so should not be a problem to get them onto them.

Good idea to keep location under your hat...

The Aussie

Sorry for the lazy reply before, life gets in the way

This is the sort of thing I was on about.

http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Salt-Lick-Block-Apple-2kg/productinfo/SAL9011230/

You will need a holder for it, also available from the same place. you will have to position it responsibly i.e. Away from Cattle and Badgers as no one wants a TB outbreak (I'm not getting into a debate with anyone about the spread of TB, life is to short)

If you have it out by February they should be seasoned enough to have all yours and the processing scents out of it and the Deer should be free to approach without much fear, as said earlier I've never tried the Apple flavoured ones but you will have more luck with them than the standard ones.

bigredstag

The Aussie wrote: »

Sorry for the lazy reply before, life gets in the way

This is the sort of thing I was on about.

http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Salt-Lick-Block-Apple-2kg/productinfo/SAL9011230/

You will need a holder for it, also available from the same place. you will have to position it responsibly i.e. Away from Cattle and Badgers as no one wants a TB outbreak (I'm not getting into a debate with anyone about the spread of TB, life is to short)

If you have it out by February they should be seasoned enough to have all yours and the processing scents out of it and the Deer should be free to approach without much fear, as said earlier I've never tried the Apple flavoured ones but you will have more luck with them than the standard ones.

Really appreciate all the info. Thanks hopefully some good animals next season.

natdog

maybe they are hybrids if your in Wicklow area verly poor racks on them.

It wasn't me!

natdog wrote: »

maybe they are hybrids if your in Wicklow area verly poor racks on them.

Not all of them. Saw one hybrid stag last year with a massive set of antlers, comparable to a very decent red stag.

bigredstag

natdog wrote: »

maybe they are hybrids if your in Wicklow area verly poor racks on them.

There are just red deer in this area. Maybe crosses of different reds alright. Would that do it?

The Aussie

bigredstag wrote: »

There are just red deer in this area. Maybe crosses of different reds alright. Would that do it?

No, although Irish/Kerry Reds have slightly smaller antlers compared to the Scottish imports*, natdog is referring to when Sika and Reds cross breed, it's refered to as a Hybrid. Never seen one myself, can someone stick up a picture of one for the craic.



* you would want to compare like for like and side by side, but that's ok you compare to the Reds from New Zealand that resemble a Elk and the poor Irish and Scottish Reds look malnourished.

4200fps

High land reds seldom cross 16 points, as clivej mentioned is correct too. Thats another factor.

bigredstag

The Aussie wrote: »

No, although Irish/Kerry Reds have slightly smaller antlers compared to the Scottish imports*, natdog is referring to when Sika and Reds cross breed, it's refered to as a Hybrid. Never seen one myself, can someone stick up a picture of one for the craic.



* you would want to compare like for like and side by side, but that's ok you compare to the Reds from New Zealand that resemble a Elk and the poor Irish and Scottish Reds look malnourished.

I do remember years ago when these deer were released they were monstrous beasts. But they seem to have gone to s**t. I think a cross of wapiti and red. Not too sure.

DR6.5

The Aussie wrote: »

No, although Irish/Kerry Reds have slightly smaller antlers compared to the Scottish imports*, natdog is referring to when Sika and Reds cross breed, it's refered to as a Hybrid. Never seen one myself, can someone stick up a picture of one for the craic.



* you would want to compare like for like and side by side, but that's ok you compare to the Reds from New Zealand that resemble a Elk and the poor Irish and Scottish Reds look malnourished.

Couple of pics of hybrids from wicklow

bigredstag

DR6.5 wrote: »

Couple of pics of hybrids from wicklow

No nothing like those. I will take a pic of a set of antlers in my shed from last year and post it up.

The Aussie

DR6.5 wrote: »

Couple of pics of hybrids from wicklow

Thanks for the Pictures, I've got to get myself upto Wicklow for a wonder around, looks like a beautiful place.

Cheers.

4200fps

DR6.5 wrote: »

Couple of pics of hybrids from wicklow

Excellent pictures DR6.5
How did you get so close without getting spotted even tho they had you spotted when you were taking the pictures.
Fair play am very impressed