Many things can cause abnormalities with antler growth such as; food, lack of water, stress, age, injury, shoot off, broken off, etc but they do not indicate a poor health animal. If the animal appeared to have normal size, characteristics such as fat, coat(hide) quaility, etc...it will be just fine for the table. While some older bucks are tougher in texture I have found that they are still good table fare, last night I fried up some bstraps from my old bush buck(non merinated) and they were just as tasty as the doe I harvested in the farmland with my bow in sept. Just remove the fat and silver skin...then enjoy.