Already a shed?

[AKaviator]

Near the border of Idaho and Wyoming yesterday. Seems a bit too soon to be shedding but didn't look broken off. Nice buck though!

 

[JimP]

A unicorn.

I agree way too early for shedding.

I have seen single antlered deer but there is usually something on the bald looking side

 

[badgerbob]

Saw one like that today. My guess it was broke off during a fight, since the rut is on.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

He sure is a heavyweight.

 

[RICMIC]

Nice chunky looking deer. It looks like there could be a wound under the eye on the broken side????? Or, could just be mud. You could always put a tag on him and find out.

 

[CrimsonArrow]

Looks like he doesn’t have a pedicle on that side

 

[ScottR]

That guy just got his butt kicked, blood on the cheek and neck, might be a chance his skull plate broke too.

 

[kidoggy]

agree with scotts post. above pic offers clue. zoom in to better view.


I have seen a few one antlered bucks this early over the years . while I am not a biologist , I just deduced that it was generally, probably,, because of some sort of deficiency in the bucks overall health.


could be due to drought, scraping , auto collisions , nuts ripped off while crossing barbed wire fence , partaking of "silly weed" or maybe just excess drinking and smoking during the prerut?????????????????????

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Every buck I've seen that had antler problems due to testicular problems always was in the velvet. They never shed the velvet and the horns were deformed too.