On Saturday, March 7, 2020, I had a memorable wildlife encounter at the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve in Oklahoma. While exploring the area, I spotted a whitetail buck, but something was different. This buck had already shed both of its antlers!
When Do Whitetail Bucks Shed Their Antlers?
Whitetail bucks shed their antlers once a year, typically between January and April in the Arkansas-Oklahoma region. However, nature often bends the rules. I’ve personally seen bucks drop their antlers as early as December and as late as May.
These variations make every sighting unique and remind us just how fascinating wildlife behavior can be.
A Special Moment in a Burned Landscape
This buck was moving through an area that had recently undergone a prescribed burn. These controlled fires play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and it’s always interesting to observe animals navigating them.
I was standing behind a tree near the road, using a Fujifilm X-T3 camera. Attached was a Canon EF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6L IS II lens, paired with a Fringer EF-FX Pro adapter. I captured the image handheld, with settings that balanced light and movement perfectly.
Camera Settings
- Aperture: f/5.6
- ISO: 1000
- Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec
- Focal Length: 400 mm
Final Thoughts
Nature is full of small surprises like this. Seeing a whitetail buck after antler shedding up close is the kind of moment that deepens my love for wildlife photography. Each encounter is a chance to witness nature’s rhythms in real time.
Stay tuned for more adventures, and remember to keep exploring the wild beauty all around us.