Antler Conformation

[Mennoniteman]

Just curious what you all's thoughts are on these deer. These are all genetic trails, no broken or rubbed down points. Same property or different? Same time frame or spread out over time? Lol, dense cover or open?

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Ok, I'll b your guinea pig, I'm seeing some similarities, I'll hazard a guess that most are from the same area?

 

[catscratch]

All from the same property over a 20ish yr period. Pic 1 is from very early in that time frame. Pics 2 and 3 were shot a yr ago by my boys. I've always said this property had bad browtines as long brows have never been present. But that "nubbin" (almost not even a point) browtine allele has stuck around the entire time I've been familiar with the place.

The split browtines are a more recent trait (as best as I can tell). The first time I shot one with trash on a browtine was probably 10yrs ago. It's fairly common to see the splits now as well as second main beams and even a droptine or two showed up this year.

The point is that an allele can become frequent (or at least stick around) for a very long time and co-exist with other alleles in the same population. It doesn't necessarily have to be a conformation to the environment or currently beneficial to the animal's survival. I believe that sexual diversity is a constant search for the most fit gene combinations in a continually changing environment (a very slow and long term process). Diverse traits that have no relevance right now might insure survival in 1000yrs.

 

[PineSapJunky]

This whole thread would come full circle if Bowriter would just admit that his theory is flawed. Upper midwest, Midwest, Texas and now the southeast. There are too many instances for our places to be an "anomaly". Here are some pictures from my place over the years. What might be wide for our neck of the woods would be considered narrow for yours. Non the less I have deer of all shape and sizes. No I cannot influence the genetics all I can do is help the age and nutritional plane (thanks Baker) for generations before we see their true genetic potential. A lot of talking heads had to admit they were wrong this week with their assessment of that young man wearing a MAGA hat. Bowriter....you too can admit you are wrong and get back on par with the rest of this group.