I was just listening to the HUNTR podcast featuring Dr. Strickland. On this episode they discussed all things deer but one part that stood out to me was this study from 2017. The study sought to determine genetics role in deer body size and buck antler size. The theory was presented in the podcast as “…if genetic predisposition determines body and antler size, the deer will show obvious differences when fed the same diet..”. Years ago when deer were essentially locally extinct in many parts of Mississippi, deer were captured from the Midwest, north east, then Texas and Mexico to support stocking efforts in Mississippi. Adding to the proposed theory or idea that where the deer came from could be an influence on body/antler size. The MSU research lab then captured deer from three regions of Mississippi. The Delta, the “Thin Loess” and the coastal plains. Pregnant does that were captured were dismissed from the study once they gave birth to their fawns (quote from the podcast). The study found that within one generation of optimal nutrition, deer from each region of the state grew to above average weights, and antlers of all bucks averaged B&C higher than the regions they came from, predominately matching deer of the delta (area with the highest amount of nutrition in the state).
So the conclusion could be semi determined as genetics do not have a greater influence than nutrition. I found it quite hilarious that I came across this because I was at my lease recently and was told deer were brought in from the east coast years back, and that they have large bodies and small basket antlers so we need to get rid of them. I’m not saying that person is right or wrong but I found it interesting this study kind of argues against that. Do you agree with the MSU study?
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So the conclusion could be semi determined as genetics do not have a greater influence than nutrition. I found it quite hilarious that I came across this because I was at my lease recently and was told deer were brought in from the east coast years back, and that they have large bodies and small basket antlers so we need to get rid of them. I’m not saying that person is right or wrong but I found it interesting this study kind of argues against that. Do you agree with the MSU study?
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