Is the deer black?
 

I just wrapped up the spring gobbler season, and was going back to check on my perfect bowstands from the previous season and the trails that are 50% man made, and 50% deer natural seemed almost completely natural by now.

Anyway, I had set up one of my cameras facing the trail they have made that leads to my acre food plot. I pulled this film last month and still connot figure out or understand what is trailing this bachelor pack. My camera is set to take two shots, a second apart, each minute activity is close enough to activate the shutter.

I noticed something awkward, and zoomed two shots to see if anyone can help me identfy what this is that seems to congregate with this group of about 25 coeds. It appears to me as being a very dark color (not a shadow)...99% black.

Any clues, or has anyone encountered a very dark or near black deer, much less catch it on film. I admit that this upload here doesnt do it justice, but zooming in on a 25 inch monitor...its something out of the ordinary...do you see it?

I have seen photos of black deer before. It's a genetic think like albisim.

mmmmmm looking at the angle of the camera and the shape of the ears im thinking it may be a large hog????? it seems to have a short neck and you can see the base of the ears as well

Oz,

Given the fact that it is in VA, and in a place Ive hunted for 5 years, the thought of it being a hog doesnt seem realistic. Ive studies the pictures in various zoom levels, and angles, it appears the other deer are not afraid of it, yet welcome it as part of the group.
The thing that stands out most is the tail and ears.

I have another shot of him, but much larger distance away w/o clear markings, shapes, etc. This is the closest and clearest shots I have off the trailcam. Ive seen albinos, but never a solid black deer like this. It travels with them (according to trailcam shots) to continue to graze by their side in the food plot of sweet peas, clover, turnip, and growing corn.

Im wondering if he will survive until season, and the question of the day would be....would you target him to get out of the genetics, or simply to harvest a black deer.

I thought large hog at first but the deer don't seem to be bothered by it. I would think they would try to keep their distance from a hog.

I wouldn't target it to get it out of the gene pool, but rather to get it in my freezer :party0005:

good points but i have seen back home in australia hog traveling with fallow deer and also crazing in the same area i could be wrong but i could be right as well
still has hog features
bu as to harvest i would take it for meat but if it was in the gene pool i dont see a problem

Its BIGFOOT,lol
I was thinking like ozbowhunter kinda looks like a hog,but in the second photo almost looks like a LOG !!

Both photos look like whatever it is its not moved much, have you made sure it's not a fallen tree or log? If not a log I'd say maybe a black deer but I doubt a hog down here if you see a hog in the woods you might as well kiss your deer hunting goodbye I've never had luck when I see hogs or coyotes.

Why don't you just put your camera back where you had it and then get some more pictures to better tell you what it is or isn't. I'm sure it will be back.

Honestly it looks like a deer standing in the shade, no sunlight hitting it for the camera to get the color right like the deer in the sun.

Camera needs its subjects to be lit to take good pic. So I think it is the lack of light falling on this deer which makes it look black.

I would have to agree with 7danny

Zdanny,

Not a log. I cut that trail 2 times a year, coming out of bed of thorns. I also didnt want to believe a black deer, but the ears and tail are in different positions in both pictures. This is about 10 pics I have of it but the best pictures to crop and get a half-way good look at it. Its definately not a log, and the angles of shade/sunlight are inconsistant with the terrain there, much less the deer within 2 feet of it. Im at a loss for words, as I havent ever seen a black deer, and it almost looks like a dogs tail, instead of a whitetail...but the deer would be scattered if it were a dog. I will try and do some cropping and zooming to get a better picture, but its not a hog, log, or a figment of our imagination. He shows up too often. The reason I took the camera was to reload batteries, and if you notice the slant, it was about to fall off of tree.

i agree with this theory

I agree too.

the first picture looks like there are two black deer back there. If you look closely it looks like you can see the butt of one almost in the middle of the other "black" deer. I agree with the lighting argument...

I thought I would throw a few variables in here to compare to. This is the same trail where the last bunch was coming out (looks more like a darker brown than black, and in the other photo (same trail) there isnt anything resembling log

Looks like 2 deer standing in the shade.

the more i look at i see a hog

Go back to the first set....if thats two deer in the shade, one has obviously darker pigmentation. I have looked at the pictures (about 10) Its tail is not a deer's tail, its not a log, and shade wont darken both sides of him when he is not under the canopy. It is actually 2-3ft. outside the treeline. I just hope I get a chance to see it in person. That same bachelor group has made it a daily routine on that path, at least for the past 2 weeks. I actually bush hogged it and then mowed it to the ground, so its the only clear opening via the thornbush for 40 yrds both ways.

Are these recent pics, hope you can capture the heard again

Yep, the date on the photos are April 29, 2010. I have since moved the camera, but I have sat on the top of the ridge (300 yrds) and watched 20-25 deer tear up my clover plot. I have yet to see the "black deer" in the clover, but I have spent minimal time in there, for good reasons. If I catch it again I will let you know. I was going to post the bobcat, small black bear, a seriously feral dog, and several other interesting photos, but the black deer has my curiosity.

Thats what I was thinking.