nv antelope scouting any guesses?

[nv-hunter]

So how big do you think?

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Big enough for me.

 

[nv-hunter]

A couple more pics

 

[ivorytip]

I'm loving that mule deer!

 

[nv-hunter]

Too bad my tag is in a different area

 

[nwwa huner]

Hard to tell but I'd guess under 80"

 

[Extrapale]

I will say about 68-70 from what I can see.

Where was a Muley like that when I had a tag there? I spent two weeks looking for him.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Beautiful antelope most guys would shoot, but if score is the criteria, it is lacking mass and prong length.

 

[nv-hunter]

a couple more to consider

 

[Extrapale]

That top one is a nice buck. Actually either would be nice with the recurve.

 

[nvgoosehntr]

Nice pics hunter!

 

[nv-hunter]

Did you guys see the lump under this bucks throat? Has one on his neck too.

 

[nv-hunter]

So lets change this to ethics

Whats the correct thing to do ?
take the lumpy neck buck even tho I know I can't eat him to make sure he doesn't pass any illness to other antelope
or pass on him no matter what he scores because I know I can't eat him?

I know what I plan to do what do you all think?

 

[Extrapale]

Why can't you eat it?

 

[Laddy]

Why can't you eat it?

Without being able to tell if the mass is solid or not, it's hard to determine exactly what the problem might be. However, nine times out of ten it's usually an abscess the buck has acquired by busting through brush or skirting under cattle fencing. I've always been under the assumption that this doesn't effect the meat for human consumption.

There are literally dozens of afflictions game animals can have which can't be field diagnosed......but when in doubt, process the animal and take a portion down to DFG to get it tested (don't know if they charge, but a black bear I took a long time ago was free. It of course had trichinosis)

 

[nv-hunter]

I showed this photo and another one I have plus one of the same buck from last year to the large animal veterinarian I work with and he said not safe eat. This buck has had this for more then one year. After working in several slaughter houses when I was younger I am dang picky what gets cut and wrapped to eat when it comes wild game.

Vet said he didn't think it was cancer (maybe) but it was in the lymph nodes and could be one of several things but as a food animal vet he would condemn it if he was working as a food inspector Vet.

So what is the ethical thing here?

Hope NDOW calls back

 

[Extrapale]

I'd find a different one to shoot.

 

[Extractor]

I'd find a bigger one, let nature take its course on "lumpy". Unlikely to be a transmittable disease.

 

[nv-hunter]

Not antelope but a nice nv buck

 

[Cowboynative]

what area in nevada you hunting?