Have you ever wondered why some bucks just do not seem to carry the potential to be giants? Or why in some areas of the country, the entire herd seems to be smaller than average? Hunters across the country have been debating why some places have bigger deer for generations. Some blame it on the nutrition available in certain areas and some even say it is purely based on genetics and that no matter how much quality food deer have, they will just never get any bigger. With all of the theories that have been thrown around, it’s often hard for landowners and hunters to know what the answer is. Are your deer just destined to be smaller because of genetics? Or are they a product of the nutrition your property has?

The real answer is: both - but not in the ways you might think.

Recent studies have shown that nutrition AND genetics are both key factors in determining the size of the body and antlers on a buck, but not in the ways that you may think! These studies all point to the size potential of bucks being very closely linked to the body condition of the mother during the gestation period (pregnancy). Does that had poor body condition while pregnant with buck fawns birthed bucks that were smaller in body mass and antler size throughout their life on average than does that had above average body condition. 

Let’s reiterate that: bucks fawns born to does in poor body condition during pregnancy showed smaller racks and body size throughout their lifetime. The body condition of a buck’s mother at the time of his birth will have a direct affect on how big of a deer he becomes and the score of his rack. 

How does that work? It’s due to a concept called epigenetics. The concept of epigenetics is the idea that the expression of genes can be affected by on environmental factors. Essentially, that the environment of an animal can affect how it’s body expresses it’s genes. This has long been seen in human medical research. For deer this includes the genes that control antler and body size. The takeaway is that even a buck with the genetic potential for large rack size will never reach that full potential if his mother doesn’t have good nutrition during her pregnancy. 

This means that healthy does are the first step in growing big bucks. If all your does are in poor shape during pregnancy then their offspring will be permanently limited and will not reach their full potential. The result is smaller bucks. 

Some researchers are even theorizing that areas of the country known for exceptionally small racks are largely just areas with very poor Winter and Spring food sources. 

Want bigger deer? Make sure those pregnant does are fed well during winter, Spring, and early Summer and the buck fawns they produce will have significantly more potential for size and rack score. 

Keeping your herd fed with quality forage year round, not just during the fall hunting season, is crucial in keeping the deer healthy and allowing them to reach their maximum potential in body and antler size. 

The most critical time of year for deer, especially pregnant females, is the late winter/early spring transition. It is at this time when bucks are shedding antlers and restarting antler genesis and does are within the most taxing part of their gestation period. In most of the country, this time of year has minimal natural forage and deer rely on woody browse, food plots, and agriculture to sustain themselves until the green up arrives in the spring. This is the time of year when you need your pregnant does to be in good condition and have access to ample food and nutrients so that they can produce those big bucks we all love to chase. Some of the bestways to do that are by having late season food sources, planting early Spring food plots, and supplemental feeding.

Late January into early March is the best time of year you want to focus on. If you plant food plots, one of the best ways for supplying deer with much needed nutrients during this time of year is to plant species in your food plots that can withstand harsh winters. Not all species that you plant in the Fall will be available by January Many food plot species will get winter killed long before Spring.. Some brassicas, clovers, winter peas, and select cereal grains can withstand winter weather and continue to feed your herd well into the spring. Any residual soybeans or corn left in ag fields can also help provide high quality feed during this extremely harsh time of year.

Throughout the spring and summer, deer need foods higher in protein to help grow antlers and aid in milk production. This is why things like soybeans, jointvetch, buckwheat, clover, and many species of native forbs are so important to a good warm season food program. This time of year it is also very important for deer to have access to plenty of salt and trace minerals as well. Maintaining good mineral sites is one of the best things you can do for your herd in the late winter through early fall, assuming it is legal to do so in your area. 

As fall and winter arrive, deer need foods higher in fats and carbohydrates to provide enough energy to get them through the rut and to recover and survive the winter. Cereal grains, brassicas, and clovers are all great fall food plot options. Mast crops of chestnuts, acorns, and fruit are also great additions to any property to help support a healthy herd throughout the fall and winter seasons.

Conclusions: If you want to improve the size of bucks on your property, start with your does. Make sure they have the proper nutrition all year to keep them in good body condition, especially while they’re pregnant in late Winter and Spring. The buck fawns they’re carrying grow into the giants of tomorrow and growing them starts before they ever take their first breath. Take care of your does and they will take care of you. 

To dive deeper into the science behind this article, check out our sources below:

Monteith, K. L., L. E. Schmitz, J. A. Jenks, J. A. Delger, and R. T. Bowyer. 2009. Growth of male white-tailed deer: consequences of maternal effects. Journal of Mammalogy 90:651-660

Michel ES, Demarais S, Strickland BK, Belant JL. Contrasting the Effects of Maternal and Behavioral Characteristics on Fawn Birth Mass in White-Tailed Deer. PLoS One. 2015 Aug 19;10(8):e0136034. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136034. PMID: 26288141; PMCID: PMC4546060.

Freeman ED, Larsen RT, Clegg K, McMillan BR. Long-lasting effects of maternal condition in free-ranging cervids. PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e58373. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058373. Epub 2013 Mar 5. PMID: 23472189; PMCID: PMC3589415.

Michel, E., S. Demarais, B. Strickland, A. Blaylock, W. McKinley, C. Dacus, and B. Hamrick. 2017. The Role of Genetics and Nutrition in Deer Management. Mississippi State University Extension Service Publication 3013