Age-dependent changes of antler size in red deer in two contrasting habitats in Hungary

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to analyse age-dependent changes of antler size in red deer (Cervus elaphus) in
two contrasting habitats. The study involves the area of Gemenc-Hajós ("excellent habitat") and the
Börzsöny Mountains ("poor habitat"). We statistically analysed the trophy evaluation data, population
estimates and harvest data of local game management units.
We also compared the two study areas on the basis of the most important antler characteristics of different
age groups (antler mass, antler length, number of antler tines). Mean antler masses in the area of GemencHajós
exceeded that of in Börzsöny Mountains during the entire study period. The difference is insignificant
in the case of young stags; however, considering the middle-aged, even more the old age groups, the agedependent
deviations of the averages between the two different habitats show an increasing trend.
The differences in the mean antler lengths show a similar trend, however, the growth is not as considerable as
in the antler masses. In turn, considering young stags the differences are negligible. Finally, taking into
account the mean number of tines, we can report similar differences as in the case of antler lengths.
The results indicate that antler sizes of young stags shot in the area of Gemenc-Hajós on average are very
similar to that of the stags shot in the Börzsöny Mountains, which can be attributed to the contrasting habitats
and the diverse harvest per age group. From the middle-age the differences of averages are increasing as the
better habitat allows red deer stags to develop larges antlers.