Winterkill---look what I found
 

Out the other day fishing, about 5 miles away from where I hunt each fall. Lots of logging activity this year so the trail are starting to move around thier ops. Saw a new trail and figured I would do a little early recon. The trail angled into the woods from a dirt rd and then went straight east for about 150yds b4 it split into 2 trails, I walked down each one for a little bit and on the second trail I found this
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g234/RedCat_2006/hunting003.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g234/RedCat_2006/hunting001.jpg
Winterkill? this is all I found, no other bones. I dare say that I may hang a stand near this location in the fall. I figure this deer was about 3.5yrs old and still had lots of growing. I was surprised the antlers were in such good shape, the mice and other rodents usually eat them.

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

Winter kill or a guy never found his kill. That happens alot I am sure. Good find.

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

Its always neat, but sad at the same time, when you find an entire deer skull. That deer could have died from many different causes, sadly you probably will never know. I've actually had some luck (not sure if its good or bad) this year and have found two similar to yours.

*This one was found near a creek and we pretty much still intact. I could see where he had been gut shot[:'(]

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

Not much left of this one...just a bunch of bones..don't know how he died. Possibly rutting injuries because all but one of his tines was chipped/broken.

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

them stinky rackers

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

cool finds. to bad you didn't see them hunting first instead of dead

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

I went on a recon mission onto my neighbors property which I have permission to do and found 4 dead bucks in one day. All year 1.5 yr olds. Sad!!!! Thats too many. Im sure 2 were bow kills since the arrows were still in them. The other 2 not sure but figure sloppy trailing or gut shots. The neighbors seem to be VERY sloppy and do things bass ackwards. I saw and passed 2 of those bucks during season. I hate seeing that happen!!!!!!!

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

I wouldn't saywinterkill because the antlers are still attached. Most true winterkill ocurrs after the drop and usually late in the winter especially in areas with lots of early snow and below normal temperatures.

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

CI....You beat me to it. Point well taken.

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

I've seen some bucks w/antlers still attached in early april...... contrary to what I have heard and been told by older hunters in the area. B/c I had no evidence to show that it was through human contact that this buck died. I have found smaller heads that I could tell from close inspection that they had run down by snowmobiles[:@].
.308hunter those are some good finds, its always sad to see a mi**** deer[&o]. I go looking in spots where no hunting is alowed(inside city limits) to find racks and sheds also go out in the fall to photo the city deer. There are some BIG bucks roaming around city limits.

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

It's interesting to me that the head was found with no other bones around. Do you suppose an animal dragged it away from the carcass to gnaw on it?

IM jaybe :)

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

I founda 160" last year in febuary sad

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

I'd have to agree with those who say that a "winterkill" most likely would have already shed the rack! I don't know if it was poor shooting, or an accident, but even if it was winterkill, the rack is remarkably well preserved. I left a rack out to dry in the back yard two years ago, and before I knew it the squirrels had gnawed it to nothing!

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

I can almost say for sure it's not a winter kill. One more thing, It's not from last winter it is from the year before. I have found many skulls,antlersand bones,this one is older than a few months. Nice find.

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

We found one this winter while cutting firewood. A buck had got his rack wedged inbetween 2 trees and i imagine the coyotes had their way with him. What a way to go. I have pics of it but just not with me at the time. I will post them up as soon as i can.

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

He would have made a dandy mount.
Good Luck next year.

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

heck yes there are lots of big deer in cities there is an island close to the ocean that i am gonna try to hunt with my bow but huge deer on it someone told me

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

Nice buck. To bad.[&:]


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RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

Great find, you never really know what happens to some of those bucks that just disapear, huh?

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

I'd say it was killed the year before because of the lack of hair &flesh on the skull and also because none of the nose membrane is intact. Most skulls you find immediately after the season usually have a fair amount of flesh on them still...even into early summer (if they are in the woods).

RE: Winterkill---look what I found
 

I agree that it's probably not from this past winter but the year before because of how clean it was. I'm also not counting out the fact that it was a winter kill. Around here it's not uncommon for us to see bucks still with their racks well into March.