The term “12-point buck” refers to the number of antler tines or protrusions on the head of a mature male deer. Each antler of a typical 12-point deer would have six tines arranged symmetrically.
Typically, bucks begin sprouting antlers in early April due to the increased amount of sunshine. By late summer, the antlers have hardened completely. Genetics, age, and diet influence the total number of points on a deer’s antlers. The prime antler size for bucks occurs between the ages of 4 and 7 years. A nutritious diet supplies the nutrients necessary for the deer to develop a more stunning rack of antlers.
