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Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

Title:The Hunting Notesfile
Notice:Registry #7, For Sale #15, Success #270
Moderator:SALEM::PAPPALARDO
Created:Wed Sep 02 1987
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1561
Total number of notes:17784

1220.0. "Why the difference?" by SMAUG::CARROLL () Tue Nov 17 1992 12:35

    
    
    I got my first deer last Saturday morning in the woods behind my
    house in Maine.  Not only my first deer taken but the first deer
    that I have ever taken a shot at.  It top it off, it was a buck;
    a spikehorn, although big spikes.  It weighted 154 after being
    gutted...
    
    A friend took an 8 point buck in La Grange, Me, this year and it 
    too weighted in  at 154.
    
    Question; Is there a reason why both bucks dressed out at the same
    weight but had such different racks?  
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1220.1lots of reasonsCHRLIE::HUSTONTue Nov 17 1992 13:1318
    
    There are alot of theories around why some have spikes, I believe
    that a 154lb deer that has spikes is simply a genetically inferior
    deer. 
    
    Other reasons for spikes (I'm sure people will add/correct any of
    these) are:
    
    genetics
    first set of antlers
    injury to the deer
    nutrition
    
    Congrats on your first deer, what you got is nothing to complain about,
    I'd take it :-)
    
    --Bob
    
1220.2your kidding me right??? ;^)KNGBUD::LAFOSSETue Nov 17 1992 13:4812
HA!!!
YOUR KIDDING ME RIGHT... ;^)

Check out the Management note, somewhere in this file...

Personally I think it's 90% nutrition and available food...

Fra

>    Question; Is there a reason why both bucks dressed out at the same
>    weight but had such different racks?  

1220.3SALEM::PAPPALARDOTue Nov 17 1992 16:2013
    
    re.2 
    
       The note Fra refer's to is the "Official Deer Managment" note #1195.
    
    
                                                               Guy
    
    
    DIR/TITLE="__________"= Note #
    
    
     
1220.4HEFTY::CHARBONNDthe look on her face! ;-)Thu Nov 19 1992 02:176
    Different genetics, different ages, different nutrition, minerals, etc.
    There's a rule of nature that says that as you go north, the average
    size of an animal of the same species increases. Florida deer are
    small, Alberta deer are big (BIG). Up north, a 1.5-year-old spikehorn
    might well dress out at 154, while in Texas a 154-pounder would
    probably be 3-4 years old and carry 8 points.
1220.5COMPLX::BULLARDThu Nov 19 1992 16:217
     I've noticed mountain antelope are considerably bigger than the plains
    antelope here in Colorado. Wonder if retention of body heat (higher
    survival in harsh weather) is better in larger bodied animals, where
    in more moderate climates smaller body size is more beneficial to 
    survival (speed, agility and etc.) ?
                                                            
    chuck
1220.6yepCSC32::J_HENSONFaster than a speeding ticketFri Nov 20 1992 11:4120
>>                     <<< Note 1220.5 by COMPLX::BULLARD >>>

>>     I've noticed mountain antelope are considerably bigger than the plains
>>    antelope here in Colorado. Wonder if retention of body heat (higher
>>    survival in harsh weather) is better in larger bodied animals, where
>>    in more moderate climates smaller body size is more beneficial to 
>>    survival (speed, agility and etc.) ?
                                                            
chuck,

I don't know if this is the reason for differences in body size (if there
really is any), but it is a well established natural law that larger
body sizes (and appendages such as ears) are better for heat retention.
Another way of stating this is that the further north in a species
range, the large the individuals are (northern hemisphere only, of course).

I remember (vaguely) learning this years ago from a wildlife management
course I took while I was in college.

Jerry
1220.73LBS!CSOA1::VANDENBARKFri Nov 20 1992 16:067
    JERRY,
    
    THAT EXPLAINS WHY MY WIFE HAS BEEN CALLING SOME GUY UP NORTH, I GUESS
    ITS BIGGER?
    
    WESS
    
1220.8no thief by natureODIXIE::RHARRISThe deerhuntermeistersupremeFri Nov 20 1992 16:405
    heck wess, I talk to your wife all the time.  Infact she called me a 
    thief the other day.  She said I take her breath away!
    
    bob
    
1220.9CSC32::J_HENSONFaster than a speeding ticketFri Nov 20 1992 18:1813
>>                    <<< Note 1220.7 by CSOA1::VANDENBARK >>>
>>                                   -< 3LBS! >-
>>
>>    JERRY,
>>    
>>    THAT EXPLAINS WHY MY WIFE HAS BEEN CALLING SOME GUY UP NORTH, I GUESS
>>    ITS BIGGER?
    
    WESS,

You talking about the appendage part?

Jerry
1220.10KNGBUD::LAFOSSEMon Nov 23 1992 07:206
This natural law, is more commonly known as Bergmans Law, which states 
that the further north/south of the equator you go the larger the body 
size per species (not a direct quote).  It does not pertain to the north 
only.
    
Fra
1220.11A smile a day.....CSOA1::VANDENBARKMon Nov 23 1992 08:0315
    re .8
    Bob,
    Lack of breath happens quite often from "Hard laughing", which in your
    case is most likely the cause. ha ha ha ha
    
    re .9
    Jerry,
    Not me for sure!
    
    re .10
    Fra,
    Thanks for putting us back on track.  
    
    
    Wess
1220.12CSC32::J_HENSONFaster than a speeding ticketMon Nov 23 1992 11:1813
>>                     <<< Note 1220.10 by KNGBUD::LAFOSSE >>>

>>that the further north/south of the equator you go the larger the body 
>>size per species (not a direct quote).  It does not pertain to the north 
>>only.
    
Fra,

I didn't mean to imply that this pertained to the north only.  I just
meant to qualify the part about going further north only applied to
the northern hemisphere.

Jerry