Sould This Buck Be Culled?
 

I got these pics off my Stealth Cam yesterday in Eastern NC and was wondering if I should cull this deer out because of his right side horn. It looks like the left side has 3 points with no brow tine and the right side only a fork with 2 points. The left side looks good for his age but not sure if the right side horn will develop normally next year. I would guess that the deer is about 2-3 years old. I've gotten shots of a few 6 points, 4 points and cow horns, and spikes in the area. Any ideas?

Thanks!!!

RE: Sould This Buck Be Culled?
 

Another pic of above deer.

RE: Sould This Buck Be Culled?
 

Depends if you believed in the theory of cull bucks. Personally I don’t. If it worked all those big ranches in texas would no longer need to still be shooting cull bucks. I don’t think enough is known about deer genetics to say for sure what type of impact it can have one way or the other.

RE: Sould This Buck Be Culled?
 

Not so much about genetics but if that right side doesn't mature to a normal configuration what is the good of that type deer in my area eating corn and competing for does. In my mind that's a cull buck but would you think his right side horn develops to a normal configuration in the years to come?

RE: Sould This Buck Be Culled?
 

As long as that odd-shapped horn doesn't effect the taste of the venison, I wouldn't let it bother me.[8D]

RE: Sould This Buck Be Culled?
 

I'm looking to produce good sized racks no so much about meat.

RE: Sould This Buck Be Culled?
 

Shoot!!

RE: Sould This Buck Be Culled?
 

He looks like a young buck....let him go.

RE: Sould This Buck Be Culled?
 

Spot on....I just didn't take the time to type it out.

RE: Sould This Buck Be Culled?
 

There was a very good article I read a while back about deer genetics, might have been by Kroll, but in any case, in a long term study with quite a large number of deer involved, they found thatby age 5-6 years the spike and forked 1.5 year-old bucks produced just as good racks as the basket eight pointers. Now, it's hard to say whether or not your buck in question has a malformation on that side, or if is just weak for this year due to development. I'd let him have another year before making a decision as he may very well even out on that side.