APeterson brings up a good point. is the bad gene passed from a doe? anyone know the answer to that question? we have a number of bucks with a funky left side ranging from a stick to a fork while the right may be symetrical. i've taken a few over the years but have since left them to the younger hunters.
Some studies show that the doe passes on 60% of the antler gene. So yes, the doe has more to do with it than the bucks.
That's where my "can't manage for antlers, by killing bucks" came from.
Studies also show that 1.5 yo bucks breed just as many doe a year as mature bucks do. Plus yearling bucks leave their birthing area and yearling bucks from other areas move in. So again, in free range deer it's impossible to manage for antlers.