Thread: Better heads now due to lockdown?

Is it just me? But one thing I've noticed since the lockdowns is that the size of deer antlers taken seem to have improved? Over the last couple of years there seem to have been more pics appearing of really good heads and I can't remember seeing so many previously. It may simply be that more people are putting pics on social media, so I'm seeing more. But I feel it's more noticible with red deer heads. It maybe just coincidence, but did that 2-ish year break in hunting pressure allow those big 8's and 10's to turn into big 12's and 14+ heads?

Couple of possible contributing factors - if the effect is real -

- More deer around = more old deer = more big stags. Until nutrition becomes a problem.

- Greater interest in trophy hunting generally - more culture of "leave him to grow".

weve also had a couple of great growing seasons vegetation wise....its plurry dry out there now but the grass is still knee high and green under the tussocks. folks targeting hinds for the freezer now due to it being promoted must be having some effect,even if its ,when only two stags in view the lesser beast cops a trip out to dinner..I wont shoot a promising stag in velvet,havent done for years...if its still in button stage I can tell so its too bad... but decent head of velvet and its safe from me.

Sika stag numbers increased on Ferny ridge in the kawekas and the northern end is holding some lovely 8 pointers this year

Covid gave the Sika a season off to go about their lives without disruption

Everything had a wee rest

Yes,main lockdown during the roar definitely main reason for higher numbers and better heads.

More velvets getting shot too