Factors affecting the estimation of antler production in elk deer (Cervus canadensis)

• Published in: Korean Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 497 - 506
• Main Authors: Jeon, Dayeon, Lee, Sang-Hoon, Lee, Jinwook, Lee, Yong-Jae, Lee, Sung-Soo, Roh, Hee-Jong, Kim, Dong-Kyo, Dang, Chang-gwon, Kim, Sang-Woo, Kim, Kwan-Woo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 충남대학교 농업과학연구소 2019; 농업과학연구소
• Subjects: 농학; body weight; antler weight; elk; beam length
• ISSN: 2466-2402; 2466-2410
• DOI: 10.7744/kjoas.20190033

The aim of this study was to estimate the factors that can be used as a predictive indicator of antler productivity in elk. Body weight and antler data from 115 stags raised at the Animal Genetic Resources Research Center in Korea were used in this study. The function for the average antler weight was derived by age, which was $y=-3.4693+5.3747x-0.8x^2+0.0424x^3$, and $R^2$ was 0.991. The analysis of the relationship between body weight at birth and the 1st and 2nd year and the antler weight after the 2nd year showed a correlation between them. There was a correlation between the antler weight of 1 and 2 year old stags and the weight of 2 year old stags as well; especially, both antler weights for the 1st and 2nd year were highly correlated with the antler weight of the 4th year. However, there was no relationship between the antler main beam length for the 1st and 2nd year and the antler weight after the 3rd year. Therefore, it is expected that a large amount of antler will be obtained in the future if proper management is carried out for young deer from birth to 2 years old. Additionally, the results of this study are expected to be useful for the development of a deer breeding program and the deer industry.