According to experts with the National Deer Association, when you pick up a shed antler with a base that is flat or level with the burr of an antler, or hollowed out deeper up inside the shed, you can determine that buck was under stress two months or so back during peak of breeding. Conversely, a shed with a protrusion of white bone that sticks out below the antler burr was in good health with normal testosterone levels during the rut.

This article goes on to say that any buck might suffer from an injury, a disease like EHD, or some other mishap that could cause stress during the rut, and (researchers note) some “unhealthy” shed antlers every year. But if most of the shed antlers you pick up where you hunt are unhealthy from the looks of the pedicle seal, it’s more likely you have a nutrition issue on your property. There isn’t enough quality food and nutrition to prepare bucks for the exertion of the rut, or help them maintain testosterone at normal levels. The experts say that in this case, you should take a look at the condition of your deer habitat, and your management plan. You may need to improve forage quality and abundance and/or harvest more does to reduce deer density on the property.