re Mule Deer shedding velvet
Posted by Laurie Tomms on August 18, 2008
Q: I realize that if you graphed most of the seasonal animal behavior that it would be a bell shaped curve, however I would guess that there is a historical timeframe that coincides with peak activity.
I am wondering, what the typical timeframe is (dates, which week of September) that mule deer typically lose their velvet?
Thank you.
State: Montana
A: Your question is a good one but not an easy one to answer. You are correct that a timetable for shedding velvet could be plotted on a bell-shaped curve. The only problem is that the range of the Mule Deer is very large making it possible for antler growth variations depending on where the animals are living. Mule Deer are found from extreme southern Alaska all the way down into Mexico. Just when the peak of Montana Mule Deer shed their velvet would be hard to say unless someone has done a research project on this particular subject. The best I can say is that by the end of the summer, some time in late August, the antlers stop growing and the males begin to shed their velvet.
Sorry I can't nail this for you.
John Wiessinger ( August 18, 2008)