Genetics

[jarhedhntr]

I have always wondered and thought I would ask. What research has been done on deer genetics related to the doe's genetics and there affect on a bucks potential for a large rack. In humans, as much comes from our mothers as do our fathers. It is genetically 50/50. It is the recessives and dominant traits that come in to play. Now obviously a doe can't have a dominant trait for large antlers, but her father could have and passed it to her and her to her offspring. I pose this question because we talk about taking a buck with a small rack out of the herd because of poor genetics, but what if he is carrying a trait that when matched with the right doe could make a world record?:confused: I guess my question is, can a buck with a small rack still carry big buck genes even if they didn't surface in him.

[BuckUp]

I have always wondered and thought I would ask. What research has been done on deer genetics related to the doe's genetics and there affect on a bucks potential for a large rack. In humans, as much comes from our mothers as do our fathers. It is genetically 50/50. It is the recessives and dominant traits that come in to play. Now obviously a doe can't have a dominant trait for large antlers, but her father could have and passed it to her and her to her offspring. I pose this question because we talk about taking a buck with a small rack out of the herd because of poor genetics, but what if he is carrying a trait that when matched with the right doe could make a world record?:confused: I guess my question is, can a buck with a small rack still carry big buck genes even if they didn't surface in him.

The higher the heritability factors the faster the genetic improvement. Based on a review of the research literature, Dr. Gallivan found the heritability of certain deer traits were as follows:
Reproduction
* Date of fawning (0-14%)
* Twinning of fawns (5-15%)
Growth
* Birth weight (0-18%) for white-tailed deer
* Birth weight N/A for red dear
* Yearling body weight (58-64%) for white-tailed
* Later body weight (48-80%)
Carcass
* Killing-out weight (68%)
Antler weight
* Velvet antler weight (43-85%)
* Hard antler weight (71-86%)
Antler shape
* Points (22-66%) for white-tailed
* Main beam length (47-70%) for white-tailed
* Antler spread (3-43%) for white-tailed
* Basal circumference (80-89%) for white-tailed.
The higher the percentages, the better the odds are that the trait will be passed on to the offspring. Notice that none of the traits is 100% and a few are pretty low. For example, if a buck has a 26 inch antler spread, the odds are only 3 to 43% that his sons will have the same spread. The odds for main beam length and basal circumference are a little better (47 to 89%).

[SPURX2]

very interesting info fellas

[tenntucky]

The higher the percentages, the better the odds are that the trait will be passed on to the offspring. Notice that none of the traits is 100% and a few are pretty low. For example, if a buck has a 26 inch antler spread, the odds are only 3 to 43% that his sons will have the same spread. The odds for main beam length and basal circumference are a little better (47 to 89%).

:confused: Is this info taking into consideration the father of the doe's antler make up as well or just the current mate's antlers. It would seem important that the genetic make up from both sides would be built of the same desirable characteristics for multiple generations to achieve higher desirable results. I may be wrong but the results quoted are not very complete without knowing the genetics of both animals for many generations. The percentage spreads are very wide to say the least. I think due to the mystery genetics of previous generations popping up at any given time in the genetic line. So theoretically couldn't a big antlered buck mated with a doe conceived of another big antlered buck still spawn a small antlered buck from some where in the past genetics? There are traits retained in all animals for many generations that may, or may not show up at any time. Can this be avoided without inbreeding to the point of poor health? How far does the research go to achieve these numbers? Just wondering..:rolleyes:

[pseMAN]

i agree with tenntucky's view, wouldnt the father of the mothering doe have an effect on the fawn, i coonhunt and when breeding dogs not only do you want a good sire but you also want to make sure the female is out of a good line of dogs also, why wouldnt the same thing go for deer?