We're not sure if it's the harbinger of a hard winter or not, but we're seeing lots of reports of shed antlers hitting the ground already across North America. In fact, many antlers hit the ground before the clocks struck midnight and we turned over to 2023. We don't mind getting an early start on the shed hunting, but it is a bit surprising to see them falling this early.
At least one shedding was broadcast live over the internet in Maine on the Brownville's Food Pantry For Deer live webcams. If you've never watched them before, they're a fun thing to check out starting in late December every year. In this clip from the broadcast, a larger 6-point puffs out his chest and starts posturing toward a younger spike. It looks as if the larger buck is trying to intimidate the younger one. However, just as their antlers meet for a sparring session, the larger buck's antler pops off and falls harmlessly to the snow, sending the 6-point scurrying away. Perhaps the funniest part of this video is how the spike just stands there seemingly bewildered by what just happened.
According to the time stamp on the video, this footage was shot on Dec. 29. It's a good reminder to be careful if you're still hunting a late season in the states that allow it. Once you get into late December, all bets are off on how long bucks hold their antlers. In this case, it seems this buck lost his first antler long before he wanted or was expecting to lose it. We know they don't have emotion, but as the video notes, there's almost something shameful about the way he fled the scene.
Meanwhile, the spike has a real "I won?!?" expression as if he never expected his bully to go fleeing the scene like that. Even the 8-point in the main part of the frame seems surprised by what just happened. In any case, it's a really cool thing to catch on camera, much less to broadcast live to the whole world!
For more outdoor content from Travis Smola, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram. For original videos, check out his Geocaching and Outdoors with Travis YouTube channels.
