Why does the antler look like this??

Buckshot82 · #1 11-20-2019, 09:46 PM

Shot a whitetail buck this weekend, had a very weird and uncommon curve to the antler... I’m curious as to what could have caused it! Whether it be fighting while the deer is still growing the horn or just genetics. Send your thoughts!

Buckshot82 · #2 11-20-2019, 09:48 PM

Pic 2

KegRiver · #3 11-20-2019, 10:03 PM

I have no idea what would cause that. Have never seen anthing like it either.

Strangest thing I've seen in antlers is two three antlered Moose. Both had two on one side and one on the other, all normal looking but small. Maybe 30 inch spread at best.

That was so long ago I don't remember now if the two were on the same side with both Moose or not.

This could get interesting.

Dewey Cox · #4 11-20-2019, 10:06 PM

Did it have a visible injury on it's back end, on the opposite side?

boah · #5 11-20-2019, 10:07 PM

He ran into something when it was growing. Or caught it in something.

Buckshot82 · #6 11-20-2019, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KegRiver

I have no idea what would cause that. Have never seen anthing like it either.

Strangest thing I've seen in antlers is two three antlered Moose. Both had two on one side and one on the other, all normal looking but small. Maybe 30 inch spread at best.

That was so long ago I don't remember now if the two were on the same side with both Moose or not.

This could get interesting.

I shot a mule deer 2 years back that the tines actually wrapped around each other, was very cool! Three antlered moose would be something I’d love to see!!!! Guy who hunts near me has an albino moose on his trail camera!! Would love to see that out in the field

Buckshot82 · #7 11-20-2019, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

Did it have a visible injury on it's back end, on the opposite side?

No injury other then the hole in the shoulder from the bullet.

Buckshot82 · #8 11-20-2019, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boah

He ran into something when it was growing. Or caught it in something.

That’s what I was kind of thinking but wasn’t sure how that worked, if the antlers are soft enough to actually bend like that

58thecat · #9 11-21-2019, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

Did it have a visible injury on it's back end, on the opposite side?

This...cape him out.

58thecat · #10 11-21-2019, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckshot82

No injury other then the hole in the shoulder from the bullet.

Dig deeper....maybe something lodge in the hip/spine area....maybe

KegRiver · #11 11-21-2019, 06:16 AM

Wouldn't an injury to the antler itself during the growth stage be a more likely scenario?

I'm just guessing but it's the only thing I can think of that makes sense to me.
Unless it's genetic.

I did see evidence that could be the case.
Round about 1984 I shot a nice Buck, about 140 class. Nice symmetrical antlers with one blemish. 3/4 down the right main there was a swelling in the bone. Didn't effect the score and didn't look all that bad.

About six years later I sot a bigger buck, 180 class, ten miles away. If I hadn't shot the first buck, just looking at the antlers I'd have sworn they came off the same buck. Except for size they looked exactly the same right down to the blemish.

Dewey Cox · #12 11-21-2019, 08:17 AM

I've seen 2 examples of injuries causing antler deformations.
Both on mule deer, one antler didn't really branch out at all. just kind of a big thick club. On one the guy said the whole hind quarter was infected, and stunk to high heaven.
The other one I actually saw in the back of the truck shortly after it was shot. Same thing, one normal antler, one stubby club antler. The oppostie back foot was badly injured. Not much hoof left, just a scabby stump.

Austin · #13 11-21-2019, 03:38 PM

Could be genetics or an injury during grow time or nutrition change, or sunlight or combo of all. I think it is unique looking

scolopax-munster · #14 11-21-2019, 03:51 PM

Can you post a close up of the antler where it changes direction? If its damage in velvet it is very clear usually.

Shot a lot of strange antlered bucks here (fallow deer) and a lot had testicular damage on the opposite side of the strange antler.

KegRiver · #15 11-21-2019, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scolopax-munster

Can you post a close up of the antler where it changes direction? If its damage in velvet it is very clear usually.

Shot a lot of strange antlered bucks here (fallow deer) and a lot had testicular damage on the opposite side of the strange antler.

Interesting!

I wonder what would happen if one were casterated. Might it grow moose antlers? Seen one that looked like it's moma had been stepping out with a Moose, maybe it was missing some important parts.

Grizzly Adams · #16 11-21-2019, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boah

He ran into something when it was growing. Or caught it in something.

A lot of antler damage is caused by barbed wire, very common.

Grizz

boah · #17 11-21-2019, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

A lot of antler damage is caused by barbed wire, very common.

Grizz

I agree, either directly to the antler, or indirectly through the nuts.

Buckshot82 · #18 11-21-2019, 07:20 PM

We skinned and quartered it, no visible damage, I can send a picture of the antlers in a couple minutes, stay posted.

Buckshot82 · #19 11-21-2019, 07:41 PM

Pics

TrapperMike · #20 11-21-2019, 10:29 PM

Watched a show by the North American whitetail institute where they showed by putting small cuts in an antler during the early stages of growth they could add extra points or cause the antler to change its direction of growth. They created so really narly antlers on some of their test bucks.

Talking moose · #21 11-21-2019, 10:55 PM

Get the trail cam out next year and see if it grows in normal.

KegRiver · #22 11-21-2019, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckshot82

Pics

Holy Hanna that is one strange looking rack. Better conversation starter then a 190 class I bet.

I'd say antler damage makes a lot of sense with this one. Probably banged it hard during the branching stage.

KegRiver · #23 11-21-2019, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrapperMike

Watched a show by the North American whitetail institute where they showed by putting small cuts in an antler during the early stages of growth they could add extra points or cause the antler to change its direction of growth. They created so really narly antlers on some of their test bucks.

Intersting.

I wonder if they have any feeling at that stage. They must have at least a little or most buck would have strange looking antlers.

They must have sedated them to do the experiment.

bucksman · #24 11-22-2019, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KegRiver

Interesting!

I wonder what would happen if one were casterated. Might it grow moose antlers? Seen one that looked like it's moma had been stepping out with a Moose, maybe it was missing some important parts.

a casterated buck or one with damage to his boys would usually grow antlers with velvet and never shed them. Google "cactus buck" there is all kinds of freaks out there.
This one looks like he bumped his head in the early stages of antler growth. I have one similar

Big Grey Wolf · #25 11-22-2019, 09:02 AM

Most deformed antlers are caused by deer or moose hitting them against tree when in early velvet stage.

Buckshot82 · #26 11-22-2019, 10:21 AM

Makes sense that it would be damage during the velvet stage, we have a trail cam out and never actually saw this buck on The camera, wasn’t the top shooter but it was a funky enough rack that if it was genetic it would be better to get it out. Just my thoughts on that lol. It is a very cool rack though!
I guess if we see more in the future we will know it’s a genetics thing