Antlers are bone, which is white in color.
Tannins from plants/trees and dirt is 100% responsible for the color of antlers.
UV light will degrade the tannins, bleaching antlers back to the original white bone.
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Alberta has two recognized subspecies of White-tailed deer.
Dakotensis and pockets of Ochrourus.
Agricultural practices over the last 100 years have helped Dakotensis to expand their range into previous Ochrourus strongholds.
I suspect areas in southern Alberta that hold smaller deer, such as the Milk River, are either an unrecognized subspecies or true Ochrourus.
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Alberta Fish and Wildlife Outdoor Recreation Policy -
"to identify very rare, scarce or special forms of fish and wildlife outdoor recreation opportunities and to ensure that access to these opportunities continues to be available to all Albertans."
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