What are your thoughts....

[growalot]

On a couple of things...The 3 legged deer is back and definitely a buck.......167 pics in a few days of a bachelor group that he is hanging with tells me this...BTW...the only cam picking these boys up is this one on one of the WW/clover plantings...and I have a few good sized buck in the groups and a bunch of youngins no racks..close ups though ,so yep buck.

 

1. Here are 3 pics of him I can't get a handle on possible age 1-2 or 2 maybe going to 3? So I know his nose looks short...but I can't tell if it's a winter coat cam thing

 

2. He's made it this far probably due to being with the other buck and I think I know where they hold up...So pretty safe. Do I consider a cull this year no matter the rack size or let go...could he still breed?

[RoadKill44]

I'm not an expert regarding deer breeding but I can only assume it would be very difficult. I would also assume his social rank among buck would be low which may affect being accepted. As I recall the buck may chase but the doe chooses or accepts the advances.

 

From a survival stand point he might be okay but nature can be rough. You may find a difference of opinions but I favor culling. Twice I have taken three legged doe.

One was taken in lieu of the two larger doe she was traveling with. Hers was a knob for a missing front leg. It pivoted like a doorknob on her side as she walked. Otherwise she was in good health at least 2-1/2 years along. The shoulder blade was not developed indicating a probable birth defect.

The second one was an obvious infected leg injury below her elbow. Because it was infected and because it was early in the season I assumed she was probably hit by a car.

 

Your buck appears to have a full hindquarter with an ankle-down injury. It will be interesting to note whether or not he has symmetrical rack development. Often an injury on one side will cause unusual rack form on the other side.

 

 

 

[ApexerER]

I am not good at telling age at all so I can't say age. I would take him if you get a chance though no matter the rack size. That is of course up to you as a hunter, tags are precious. He might make it this year but my guess is if makes it through this winter and next winter is like last winter he is going to become an easy meal for a hungry predator. You see him and you see how he is getting along. You are best to make to the call.

[Paula]

He looks healthy

[growalot]

Yes he does Paul..If this were a doe ,I'd not pose the question. We have passed many 3 legged doe over the years,unfortunately, to have them go on to breed and raise multiple fawn....They tend to stay in a small area and by them selves for the most part.This buck will probably grow well this summer. I fear things will become very tough for him during the rut though....especially with the # of buck I have been seeing. More buck = more fights for dominance. If he has a hormonal flooding of his system, despite this injury ,he won't be able to avoid a very rough time during this falls rut...I'd prefer seeing him go down with a clean kill over being gored to death or endure a miserable death from infection due to fights. Especially if he is unable to breed.

[Doc]

The fattest deer I ever got was a 3-legged doe. I think it was because she stayed in the thicket in front of the house and was never seen up on the hill. She shrunk her territory to compensate and just ate, slept, and drank, and got fat. Oh, and by the way, she had a couple of healthy fawns at least one of the years.

[Buckstopshere]

Here's a couple of three-legged does, one missing part of a back leg, the other a front leg. Both had fawns, but as far as I know, neither one made it through the following hunting season. My two cents is that any doe or buck with an obvious different physical characteristic, I would let live so they could be identified. As far as shooting them goes, I wouldn't unless they were suffering.

[genesee_mohican]

I've looked at the photos a few times now. Without any information given I would have to say this deer was born last May. I also don't see a pedicel mark where the antlers would have dropped off. Could it be a yearling buck hanging with the group?

 

[growalot]

Could be...hard to tell with him being hunched up like that and obviously I think he'd show more muscle mass in the one hip and shoulders to compensate in movement. The other buck pics I had  showed their "junk" and very dark tarsals but no real pedicels.  ..though a few prominent forehead "plates". So easy buck ID...I hope he sticks around for some spring summer pics and stays healthy.

 

PS...I also hope some of , you know who you are, see the post...This  got old years ago ..I thought with rifles here now, you'd get a grip!

[landtracdeerhunter]

 I have seen three legged bucks before, but usually the front. I don't tend to see them a second season.