DDot
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2021
- Messages
- 13
Anyone know what causes this?
- Thread starter DDot
- Start date
Hunting Wife
Well-known member
Probably a “cactus buck”.
Decent little fact sheet. It was put out by Oregon DFW but info is relevant anywhere:
Decent little fact sheet. It was put out by Oregon DFW but info is relevant anywhere:
SD_Prairie_Goat
Well-known member
I was actually about to say likely a result of testes damage resulting in abnormal testosterone production affecting antler growth.
Used to see it a ton in Alaska. The biologists said often times the buck falls asleep and his nuts freeze to the ground and stay behind. Results in some wild antlers, wish I had a picture of the one prime example our group got back in like 2008
antlerradar
Well-known member
Bambistew
Well-known member
A good friend of mine has the largest collection of these kind of antlers of probably anyone on the planet. He's a bit of weirdo. 
guessing he has over 200 sheds and racks.
It can happen for a couple reasons, almost always it's due to hormones, with or without the bucknuts. It can be from extreme age, again where their hormones get out of whack. Or a doe with antlers, again hormones.
I do not believe the Kodiak reason, at all. That kind of configuration is more common in certain areas of the island. That and it doesn't get as cold in Kodiak as it does in most of the West and Canada. The guys I've talked to about it believe it's genetic due to the incidence of occurrence. And by genetics, it means hormones regulation is whacked and passed on. The deer on Kodiak have an extremely low genetic diversity. The all originated for for a couple small populations transplanted in the 1930s. Small as in less than 20 deer were transplanted, total. IIRC
guessing he has over 200 sheds and racks.It can happen for a couple reasons, almost always it's due to hormones, with or without the bucknuts. It can be from extreme age, again where their hormones get out of whack. Or a doe with antlers, again hormones.
I do not believe the Kodiak reason, at all. That kind of configuration is more common in certain areas of the island. That and it doesn't get as cold in Kodiak as it does in most of the West and Canada. The guys I've talked to about it believe it's genetic due to the incidence of occurrence. And by genetics, it means hormones regulation is whacked and passed on. The deer on Kodiak have an extremely low genetic diversity. The all originated for for a couple small populations transplanted in the 1930s. Small as in less than 20 deer were transplanted, total. IIRC
Does he find lots of them or is he buying/trading for them?A good friend of mine has the largest collection of these kind of antlers of probably anyone on the planet. He's a bit of weirdo.
I’ve found a decent amount of weird antlers but never one like that. Hopefully someday
belshawelk
Well-known member
Queer deer. Thats what I call mine. Shot mine in full velvet in Novemeber.
No nuts.
No nuts.
There’s a spot I know of where I think I’ve seen one every year, different bucks too. Saw one this year in fact. Almost like it’s a genetic line. Never shot any of them. Maybe there’ll be an absolute freak out there one of these days though
