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"Is it genetics or is it nutrition?" For many years, this question has been asked of biologists concerning regional differences in white-tailed deer antler size. We know that body mass and Boone and Crockett scores vary among regions of the state. For example, Boone and Crockett scores differ by about 20 inches between the Delta and Lower Coastal Plain soil regions. We also know that both genetics and nutrition can influence body and antler growth.

Concerns that some deer populations in Mississippi lack genetic potential for antler development has led Mississippi State University and the MDWFP to team-up on a large-scale research project. Our goal is to determine the relative importance of nutrition and genetics in the regulation of antler size across Mississippi. We will determine if low quality nutrition limits the expression of a buck's genetic potential to produce large antlers in regions like the Lower Coastal Plain.

Pregnant adult does will be captured from the Delta, Thin Loess, and Lower Coastal Plain soil regions. These soil regions were selected to represent areas of high, moderate, and low quality body and antler size. Deer will be captured from private property and public WMAs within each soil region.

Captured does will be transferred to the Mississippi State University Rusty Dawkins Memorial Deer Unit where they will give birth to their fawns. Does and fawns from each region will be provided identical high quality, high protein feed. This will allow us to eliminate the effect nutrition has on body and antler size. Growth rates, antler development, and physical development of buck fawns will be monitored from birth to 3.5 years of age. We will then be able to determine if the high quality nutrition allows bucks from the Lower Coastal Plain and Thin Loess regions to "catch up" to bucks from the Delta.

Past research has shown that effects of poor nutrition on a doe can be carried over into her offspring. To eliminate these effects, we will allow first generation females to breed to first generation bucks from their respective soil regions. Growth rates, antler development, and physical development will be monitored from birth to 3.5 years of age on these second generation bucks.

During the first year of this research project, does were captured and have already fawned within the deer facility. One additional year of capture will be necessary to obtain a sufficient number of deer to complete the study. Over the next several years we hope this study will provide a better understanding of the effects of genetics and nutrition on regional variation in antler and body size.

Article Provided By Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Reprinted with Permission