Antler deformity

[Bowhuntin]

Saw this young guy on the cameras today, thought I would share can’t wait to see him next year.





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[walking buffalo]

I recall several young deer like that.
Always wondered what they would grow into....
Never knowingly saw them the next year.
No idea if they were dead, or if they grew a normal rack and were just not recognizable.

[Curtsyneil]

I have seen this before also in younger bucks. Had a well educated deer guy tell me that the deer might of bin sick(flu) during growing period. The picture I had was the buck with almost like princess laya hair curls around her ear. Very strange. Soon after no more pics I’m sure it passed away.

[Bowhuntin]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

I recall several young deer like that.
Always wondered what they would grow into....
Never knowingly saw them the next year.
No idea if they were dead, or if they grew a normal rack and were just not recognizable.

Defeinetly going to keep my eyes out. Thanks


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[Bowhuntin]

Originally Posted by Curtsyneil

I have seen this before also in younger bucks. Had a well educated deer guy tell me that the deer might of bin sick(flu) during growing period. The picture I had was the buck with almost like princess laya hair curls around her ear. Very strange. Soon after no more pics I’m sure it passed away.

Thanks for the info, I’ll keep my eyes peeled. seriously interesting creatures that’s for sure


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[Battle Rat]

I think some times they get damaged when they are soft in velvet.
In July you can bend them over just like a rubber hose.

[fishnguy]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

I recall several young deer like that.
Always wondered what they would grow into....
Never knowingly saw them the next year.
No idea if they were dead, or if they grew a normal rack and were just not recognizable.

Never saw them next year likely because the deer either healed or died before growing next set of antlers. The “deformity” usually happens due to an injury to the skull at the base of the antler. Severe deformities often mean a severe injury and the deer likely never survive the winter due infection spreading further down and all the way to the brain.

Injuries happen due to various reasons, but weirdly enough many get injured when they shed their antlers.

Edit: I should add that this, while most common, is not the only cause for an “unusual” antler growth, but most, if not all, are caused by some type of injury or general health problems, whether internal or external.