Whitetail Buck Growing New Antlers

Whitetail Buck Starting New Antler Growth

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I’ve been spotting several Whitetail Bucks beginning to grow new antlers at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It’s that time of year when bucks start developing their velvet-covered antlers, and I always enjoy watching those early stages. I haven’t photographed any this year yet, but here’s one I captured a few years ago that still stands out.

Whitetail Buck with small velvet antlers standing on a gravel road at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in spring.
A Whitetail Buck stands alert on a gravel road at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, showing early velvet antler development in spring.

A Buck Near Sandtown

This buck was with two other deer near the start of the paved tour road, known as Sandtown. When I first drove by, they stepped off the road and disappeared into the trees. I slowed down to see if they might return, but they stayed hidden, so I kept moving. After reaching the end of the paved section, I turned around and came back the same way.

On the return drive, I was glad to spot them again. This time, they were standing on the gravel road near Goss Slough, not far from where I’d seen them earlier. I eased to a stop in my pickup, grabbed my camera, and was able to take a few photos before they moved into cover again.

A Noticeable Limp

As the buck walked into the woods, I noticed it had a limp. That caught my attention. I took several photos of its legs so I could take a closer look later on my computer. I didn’t see any cuts, swelling, or anything that would clearly explain the limp. It might have had a mild sprain or something internal I couldn’t see.

Camera Setup

For these shots, I had my camera and lens resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup. This setup keeps the camera steady and gives me more flexibility when I’m shooting from the truck. It’s one of my go-to methods for photographing wildlife along the refuge roads.

I’ll keep watching for more bucks as the antler growth continues. It’s always interesting to see how they change as the season goes on.

Gear Used:

  • Camera: Canon 7D Mark 2
  • Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Technical:

  • Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
  • Date & Time Taken: April 27, 2019 (07:04 A.M.)
  • Aperture Priority
  • Aperture: f5.6
  • Shutter speed: 1/200 sec. (as determined by the camera)
  • ISO: 1250
  • Exposure Compensation: 0
  • Focal Length: 371 mm