If you have a buck on your place with one antler that is perfect and one antler that is deformed, is killing him really going to help the herd? Aren't most antler deformities caused from an injury? If these kinds of bucks are that way b.c. of an injury how could they spread poor genes? I assume the reason for taking a buck like that is b.c. you don't really know from one to the other if the deformity was caused from an injury or a genetic problem.
You are right on target, but take a close look at the horns he could have damaged them in the early stage of the growing season. Next year they could come back normal. If he has something wrong with him they will always be deformed.
I have a buck on our place that two years ago he had two mainbeams on one side but the mass of the horns were very small compared to the other side. The next year he came back with only one mainbeam on that side, but the mass was still noticebly different. I really studied this buck hard and found that he has a growth in his stomach that makes him look older than he really is,(Stomach)That being said it is your call if you want to take him out of the herd. I left this buck alone, but will take him this year if the opportunity presents itself, due to he is 6 1/2 years old.
Does deformed mean one side has 4 tines and the other has 5 or does it mean one side of his antlers is growing into his head? I can come make a ground check for you and give you a better evaluation!!!!!
This is an example of the importance of a balanced buck to doe ratio. If your ratios are tight, you can wait until next year to make the call if your concerned. In a properly balanced herd, a 2-1/2 year old has a slim chance of breeding anyway.
A few years ago at a place in Sonora I shot what I viewed as a "cull buck" b/c it was a 5x1 (no one disagreed). But I don't feel that way now regarding this particular buck b/c even though his side with 5 was small for the area, he was a young enough buck that he should have been given another year. This buck had no noticeable injuries, but I feel like his lack of antler growth was due to an injury of somesort. Having said that, if this particular buck was old enough (4.5+) I don't think it would have been a mistake to harvest him, but it is hard to say considering it is unknown how much damage an injury can do in a given case.
A buck that is deformed in whatever way (I think) should be removed. He is eating feed (browse or supplemental) that another deer could be eating. The same reason you remove excess does from the herd.
This is an example of the importance of a balanced buck to doe ratio. If your ratios are tight, you can wait until next year to make the call if your concerned. In a properly balanced herd, a 2-1/2 year old has a slim chance of breeding anyway.
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