Dear Editor,

Deer hunting has always been a big part of life for many residents in Oneida County. Many of us have very fond memories of hunting excursions with family and friends in the surrounding mountains. Further, we hope to make memories this hunting season and in the future that we can cherish. That being stated, I am writing this letter to share with you a relatively recent discovery of mine and to seek your help in conducting a research project about mule deer antlers and antler quality that could prove beneficial for hunters and game management agencies. 

To be brief, a colleague of mine has been collecting shed antlers from the same individual mule deer bucks for the last nine years. This has provided a treasure trove of antler data that he and I have been able to analyze. We have compared the annual antler growth rates for each individual buck (roughly 60 different individual bucks). The results show certain antler measurements change at a relatively predictable rate each year. We believe that these growth rates make it possible to determine the age of harvested bucks by their antlers and that the age of shed antlers can also be determined with a high degree of confidence (Currently, the only way to age a mule deer buck is by pulling teeth and sending them to a lab or by making an educated guess based off teeth attrition). Furthermore, antler characteristics allow us to predict how large the antlers of an adolescent buck will become once he reaches maturity. Whether a person is a meat hunter or a trophy hunter, such knowledge should prove valuable in harvest selection and allow each of us to be more informed in our harvest decisions. 

While much effort has gone into our research project, we have one critical step that we cannot accomplish without your support. That step is: utilizing our aging methodology to compare with deer of known ages. This can be best accomplished with your help. I have placed fliers around town with the following information soliciting your assistance:

Your help is requested in completing a research project on mule deer age and antler quality. 

Project Goals: 

1. Defining correlation between antler measurements, deer age, and antler quality.

2. Recognizing antler characteristics that identify antler growth potential of individual deer.

3. Refining methodology for aging mule deer via antler measurements. 

Benefits to Participating Hunters:

1. Will receive an accurate age of your harvested buck at no cost.

2. Provide important data for utilization by Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

3. Assist in furthering our understanding of deer age and antler quality.

Requirements of Hunters:

1. Willingness to loan antlers for measurement and analysis.

2. Deliver antlers and front incisors (front bottom teeth) of your harvested mule deer to 220 West 600 North Malad, ID 83252 on any evening between October 10th and October 24th, 2024 or anytime on October 25th, 2024. 

3. Fill out a proxy statement that will be provided at drop off including: name, phone number, address, license number, tag number, hunt unit, date killed, and signature. 

4. Please call one of the following individuals to schedule a drop off time. 

Logan Pfeiffer (208) 766-3310 available October 10th-12th, 25th 

Lee Pfeiffer (208) 851-1264 available October 10th-12th, 20th-25th

McKay McKinnon (208) 604-2331 available October 13th-19th    

Process:

Antlers will be analyzed on October 25th and 26th, 2024. Incisors (teeth) will be sent to Matson’s Lab in Manhattan, MT for aging analysis. We will let you know age results once teeth analysis is accomplished. Antlers can be picked up at the same address or will be returned to the owner as soon as possible after October 26th, 2024.

Antler measurements and teeth analysis results will be given to Idaho Department of Fish and Game for further research.

All antler sizes are NEEDED and WELCOME. 

It should be noted we have shared our findings with Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). Conversations with them have been encouraging and informative. I have made them aware that I would be reaching out to the residents of Oneida County seeking your assistance in this project, and that I would be giving them our results.

I want to emphasis two important items. First, I do not represent IDFG in any way and am doing this project on my own accord. However, I am extremely grateful for the service rendered by IDFG and have great respect for many of their employees. Secondly, I am doing this project because I recognize the potential benefits that it has for mule deer, buck quality, and hunters. This is my way of trying to be a good steward of the land and give service to our community. Additionally, I believe the results of this project may give further insight into how each of us can be better decision makers when it comes to harvesting mule deer. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Sincerely, 

Logan Pfeiffer  (208) 766-3310 or [email protected]