deformed racks
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 28
deformed racks
i have my trail cam out and i've been getting about atleast 3 or 4 different bucks that are kinda screwed up.
2have 4 points on 1 side then a 10 or 12" stub on the other side
1 has 2 tines goin straight up on one side and a big mess in the middle
and the other side has a few points also
but then i also have 1 buck i think that is normal a small 8.
the biggest is the 8 with the 4 on one side then a stubb and i think one of its kids has the same thing but a smaller rack.
there properly fed the guy feeds them corn in summer and winter when no one hunts and i've put out some homemade minerals out there
any idea whats making them grow like this i'll post some pics later. there are a couple in the trail camera posts.thanks
2have 4 points on 1 side then a 10 or 12" stub on the other side
1 has 2 tines goin straight up on one side and a big mess in the middle
and the other side has a few points also
but then i also have 1 buck i think that is normal a small 8.
the biggest is the 8 with the 4 on one side then a stubb and i think one of its kids has the same thing but a smaller rack.
there properly fed the guy feeds them corn in summer and winter when no one hunts and i've put out some homemade minerals out there
any idea whats making them grow like this i'll post some pics later. there are a couple in the trail camera posts.thanks
#2
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079
RE: deformed racks
Sounds like it is genetic. Several years ago on my property I had a few very similar bucks as you do. I shot every one I could that had the one side stub, didn't matter how big they were,and in the last 3 years I havn't seen any like that.
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 185
RE: deformed racks
It sounds like one deer that is messed up is passing his genes on to many deer. Or it could be that a few deer in the area are passing these bad genes. Pretty much the only way to get rid of the bad genes are to shoot the deer. Just invite some friends over and tell them to shoot only the bucks with screwed up antlers. Then hoprfully you will see some bettergenes in your bucks.
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 28
RE: deformed racks
heres a couple of them
http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=172233319/PictureID=3681204868/a=103591650_103591650/t_=103591650
http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=172233319/PictureID=3681218424/a=103591650_103591650/t_=103591650
still have to go check the camera for recent pics.
http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=172233319/PictureID=3681204868/a=103591650_103591650/t_=103591650
http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=172233319/PictureID=3681218424/a=103591650_103591650/t_=103591650
still have to go check the camera for recent pics.
#6
RE: deformed racks
Most deer with one messed up antler will grow normal antlers the next year.
It can happen due to injury or sickness during the growing period.
Lots of times bucks lose an eye in the rut the year before then have a messed up antler on that side the next year.
Genetic defect would be the last and least likely of any of these scenarios to be the cause of the things that you are seeing.
I've watched a deer for 5 years that is huge. Last year we were planning on taking him (he was 7.5) but when we found him he had a huge spike on one side. We let him walk. This year we have had a ton of rain, and he is bigger than he has ever been. You would have never known he had a huge spike on one side last year.
It can happen due to injury or sickness during the growing period.
Lots of times bucks lose an eye in the rut the year before then have a messed up antler on that side the next year.
Genetic defect would be the last and least likely of any of these scenarios to be the cause of the things that you are seeing.
I've watched a deer for 5 years that is huge. Last year we were planning on taking him (he was 7.5) but when we found him he had a huge spike on one side. We let him walk. This year we have had a ton of rain, and he is bigger than he has ever been. You would have never known he had a huge spike on one side last year.