Gelding Buck?

[Dakota79]

We have shot several in NW South Dakota that were similar. The nuts were pea-sized and they were in velvet.

 

[WyoDoug]

That's what she said.

Sorry, had to.

My wife says that too. :-(

 

[Foxtrot1]

I shot a buck 10 years ago, close to Gurnsey Wy that was very similar. Used the gutless method to quarter him, and never saw any testicles

 

[LuketheDog]

Sounds like cactus buck.

https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/docs/Cactus_buck_Q_and_A.pdf

There's a neighborhood near me that has a hole bunch of cactus bucks hanging around every year, either it's genetic or there's something in the water up there!

 

[ZMT588]

Fairly common in the eastern part of the state. I have heard that EHD will cause this. Bucks like this one are very good on the table.

Yep shot one like this last year. Ate great.

 

[antlerradar]

Dad and I shot this one on the last day of the season in 1981. Nuts were dime sized. He was as fat as a finished steer. I have the year earlier sheds.
The base is not the same as sheds from a normal deer.

 

[Cmf88]

I shot a buck 10 years ago, close to Gurnsey Wy that was very similar. Used the gutless method to quarter him, and never saw any testicles

Blake Shelton could be your doppelgänger

 

[Hunter4Life78]

My daughter's first buck was this way. Testicles had descended, the scrotum looked underdeveloped to the point the kiddos asked if all Mule Deer's looked this way. We were told by a gentleman in town who had also taken a buck in velvet that they were afflicted with blue tongue. Whitetail were more susceptible to bluetongue, but it was known to make muleys sterile. I have never looked into this to be certain.