Montana - Velvet bucks & Rifle season

[NWmontanaOutdoors]

Not sure if any others have noticed but it seems a very large number of velvet bucks were taken in the state during rifle season this year, whereas in past seasons it was more of an anomaly.

again, not sure if any others had made this observation but I’d love insight as to why you’d see more bucks carrying their velvet into the later stages of rifle this year opposed to other years.

 

[MThuntr]

I think I saw a thread somewhere...the general consensus was yes more than usual. Admittedly I did not see any bucks with velvet outside of a couple in the earliest portions of archery season.

 

[MThuntr]

found it

https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/montana-november-velvet-bucks.303149/

 

[NWmontanaOutdoors]

found it

https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/montana-november-velvet-bucks.303149/

Thanks for sharing the thread, it seems like EHD would be a good culprit. After that I’m tossing it up to the rona haha.

 

[2rocky]

all the brush to scrape off the velvet burned up?

 

[Highground]

Not sure why but I can say I saw quite a few posted on social media this year. At least 5 in Montana. Never saw one in Montana before this year but could be coincidence

 

[MT_Fin]

A friend of mine shot one this year near Havre, and I’ve have seen a bunch posted on social media. Definitely odd.

 

[Wildabeest]

Looks like the “experts” are pointing to EHD...

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks :: What was up with all those ‘velvet’ mule deer bucks this year?

fwp.mt.gov

 

[npaden]

The EHD infection apparently caused lesions on their testicles, which then affected testosterone levels and ultimately antler growth.

No thanks, I'll pass....