This guy showed up in the yard this week. Injury to his lower right leg also, consistent with the cause and effect theory of antler abnormalities.
Somebody needs to take taht deer out of the herd and improve the gene pool. That's one weird looking rack. A buck like that is good for only one thing...venison summer sausage.
A theory I found on line: http://www.whitetailstewards.com/articlesonsite/deerbiology/antlerabnormalities.htm Body Injuries (this guy had an injury to his right leg) Body injuries caused by disease, vehicles, bullets, arrows, snakebite, and other unfortunate events can cause abnormal antler growth. Injuries to a front limb (foot, leg, shoulder) may affect the antler on the injured side, opposite side or both sides, but the antler on the injured side is typically most affected. Hind limb injuries usually affect the opposite antler. Body injuries can affect antler growth on both sides and may cause the antlers to stop growing entirely. Depending on location and severity of the injury, the abnormality may occur on just the current set of antlers or it may be carried throughout life. For example, a buck that sustains minor injuries to his right rear leg from a vehicle collision may have an abnormal left antler for one season. Another buck that loses his right rear foot to a bullet may have an abnormal left antler for the rest of his life.
It looks like a break at the ankle that didn't heal right. I see at least a couple of those injuries each year. Very pronounced limp.
He may never get that antler to grow right then. :-/ Any chance he would be a victim of predation this winter because of the limp?
That's good for the deer herd. Coyotes are just as bad so watch out for those too. Hopefully things will go well for the little buck if he doesn't get hit on the road .
In Germany they call that an "Ab shoots" buck. There are even special trophies given out in this class. And yes, he did need to be culled. Congradulations
