In March 2016, while visiting the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, I spotted a whitetail buck with just one antler. The other had likely been shed, which is common for bucks this time of year. Male deer typically shed their antlers in late winter through early spring, and seeing one in mid-transition is a rare treat.
Watching the Buck
I parked along the roadside, using my pickup as a quiet blind. The buck stood among early spring grasses, framed by the twisted branches of leafless trees. I waited, hoping to witness the second antler drop, but it never happened while I was there. Still, the moment offered a glimpse into a brief stage of the whitetail’s yearly cycle.
Why Bucks Shed Their Antlers
Whitetail bucks shed their antlers annually after the breeding season. This process is triggered by decreasing daylight, which reduces testosterone levels. The drop in hormones weakens the tissue at the antler’s base, eventually causing it to fall off. Shedding helps bucks conserve energy during the winter and prepares them for regrowth in spring, when a new, often larger, set begins to develop.
Photography Setup
For this sighting, I had my Canon EOS 7D Mark II paired with a Canon EF 100–400 mm f/4.5–5.6L IS II lens. I rested the lens on a bean bag draped over my truck’s open window for stability.
Camera Settings:
- Mode: AV
- Aperture: f/5.6
- ISO: 1200
- Shutter speed: 1/160 sec
- White Balance: Auto
- Focus: Back-button, Single Point, Continuous Auto Focus
- Metering: Multi
- Focal Length: 400 mm
The Appeal of Antler Shedding Season
Late winter into early spring brings unique wildlife photography opportunities. Bucks with one antler create unusual silhouettes and tell a story about seasonal change. If you’re patient, you might even capture the exact moment the antler falls.
Even if the antler doesn’t drop on camera, the experience of watching a buck in this fleeting stage is reward enough.