I was at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma for some wildlife photography, and was fortunate enough to spot some Whitetail Bucks. However, most of them had already shed their antlers. Luckily, I came across a Buck that had shed one side, and I eagerly kept my camera on it in hopes of capturing the moment when it sheds the other side.
Whitetail Buck Antler Shedding
Usually, Whitetail Bucks shed both antlers in close succession, but unfortunately, luck wasn’t on my side this time, as the Buck left the area without shedding the remaining antler. Nevertheless, I feel fortunate to have captured an image of the Buck with just one antler.
It’s worth noting that while shed antlers can be found on the ground in various areas of the wildlife refuge, it’s against the rules to remove them from a National Wildlife Refuge. Shedding antlers is a natural process for Bucks and is necessary for the growth of new antlers. Many people collect them as unique and interesting souvenirs, but it’s important to leave them where they are to maintain the ecological balance of the refuge.
Overall, my wildlife photography trip was a success, and even though I didn’t capture the Buck shedding its remaining antler, I still managed to capture some stunning images of the wildlife at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
- Lens: EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
Technical:
- Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: March 16, 2016 (06:47 A. M.)
- Exposure Mode: AV
- Aperture: f5.6
- Shutter speed: 1/160
- ISO: 1250
- Focal Length: 400 mm
Here are more photos of Whitetail Bucks from that refuge: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Whitetail Bucks