Brow tines ?

[Shorty Bang Bang]

Some ranches allows bucks with one or no brow tines to be taken as cull bucks. My question is, will deer with one or no brow tines always stay that way or can they grow both brow tines in future years? We do not shoot cull bucks unless they are at least 2 1/2 years old. I know there is probably alot of personal opinions on this issue. I would also like to know of any studies or documentation that discusses this issue of brow tines.

[GARY]

I'll let someone else with intelligence answer that question (we dont' have cull deer where I hunt..as we're striving just to hit 13 inches and get 4.5 year old deer)....however, let me be the first to welcome you to TBH!

[chrisgunguy]

I'm with Gary, I don't know either. My guess would be no. Welcome to the Fire.

[DonBon]

As you were saying this is a very opinionated subject.WITH THAT BEING SAID,I have seen ranches that had problems with the no or small browtine genetic.This, like other less desireable traits (9 point gene or weak g4s)should be weeded out.The no browtine gene I think can be adressed at 3.5 years old. Before this it is hard to determine what is a genetic flaw or just growing pains.Some ranches do not cull until 5.5 or older but I wouldnt do this with no brow tines.Good luck!

[Tye]

The absence of brow tines is one of the most inheritable traits and is passed on to future generations. If a bucks is missing a brow or has no brows he will stay that way through his entire life. If he has a brow it might get slightly larger over the years but he will very rarely grow larger that he would not become a cull. We start culling for this less desirable trait at the age of 2.5.

[buck_wild]

Yep, we kill all 2.5 yrs olds with no or small brows. We can only do this because we have a surplus of bucks. After 7 yrs, it seems there are less and less every year and more mature deer with GREAT brows. As Gary said, this is not a reason to shoot a buck if your ranch is not is position to have maure deer to start with.