On thing I always wonder about is the Growth and Development of the antler on each and every deer, this is what I have learned and hope you will pick up something as well. Antler Development is influenced by genetics, diet, injuries, and maturity. 

The primary influence on a bucks antler development- typical, non typical, width, height, and number of points- comes from his gene pool. However, I have seen a bucks rack change from typical to non-typical over time due to injury. 

A typical mature buck will receive 30-40 puncture wounds per rutting season. In the 2002 Wisconsin firearm season I took a massive dandy 11 pointer, as I took a closer look at the buck I noticed a total of 5 antler puncture wounds in the neck and chest area. These were just some of the wounds that broke the skin, just think of the smaller injuries that occurred. 

Severe injuries to the right side of the bucks head or body will most often be manifested as a mutation in the development of the bucks left antler the following year, and visa/versa. 

With adequate food available, a buck will form buttons during his first rut when he's about 6 months old. By the next rut, when he is about 18 months old, the buck will have spindly horns or perhaps three small points per side. By age 2 ½ to 3 years, the buck will have his basic conformation, normally four points per side. After basic conformation, the buck will grow a nearly identical rack each year until he reaches the peak of antler development between 4 and 8 years.

One way I like to identify a particular deer is by shed hunting, for example if I am after a 10 pointer in my hunting area I will try to track that deer all year long, weather it be scouting, glassing in the summer months, or hunting. If not successful that year with a particular buck you want to see if the deer made it through the season. If you are lucky enough to find his sheds, try to keep an eye out for the upcoming season. You can bet he will be back and bigger that last season.