What Would You Do?

[Lawdwaz]

As I've already posted on the Harvest Thread in Muzzle Loader sub-forum, I killed a buck on Saturday.  He is actually an 8 point buck but had a monkeyed up rack. 

As mentioned in that thread, I ended up donating the buck via The Buck & Doe Shop locally.  It really bothered me as 98% of the animals I kill I use, once in a while I'll give one to a friend who might need one.  What bothered me mostly was the fact that if it wasn't good enough for me, why should it be OK for someone else to use?  The butcher shop said they'd look it over and make that call after skinning it and yes, it was ok for donating. I know that if anyone in the family ever got a hint of a stomach ache or the Hershey squirts after consuming it I'd always have doubts.......

I don't know if these pics are better than the others but here you go........(hope you already ate supper)

I didn't take any of my usually posed/timed hero shots as I was wringing my hands on what to do with him.  At that point I felt like I only outsmarted a sick deer and didn't feel as though I earned it.  Strange feeling, maybe I'm thinking too deeply about it??

What would you guys/gals have done?

 

[The_Real_TCIII]

Is there a term for that condition? Did it smell?

[wooly]

My sisters little forkhorn from 2015 had the same thing behind his ear.

Didn't even give it much thought and got him cut up and stuffed in the freezer.

Far as I could tell it was just a surface rash of some sort that didn't go any more than skin deep and just in that one spot.

She don't eat the ears anyhow!

 

[wolc123]

I think you did the right thing.  I would have done it myself had I been fortunate enough to fill one of my last two DMP's.  Not only did you take out a deer that may not have survived the winter anyhow, but some less fortunate folks may benefit from the food he provides.  The experts there will be able to make the call on whether or not it is fit for human consumption.     

[Zag]

I can't answer. Game time decision I guess. 

[moog5050]

Should be obvious if it's a problem when skinned.  But if you weren't sure, letting the butcher make the call makes sense.  Think of it this way, you might have wasted a whole deer that could be used by less fortunate if you didn't give it to the butcher.  I would be fine with your decision.  

[Lawdwaz]

1 hour ago, The_Real_TCIII said:

Is there a term for that condition? Did it smell?

I couldn't really smell much but didn't stick my nose too close........as far as a term/name, I know nothing.

The green stuff was matted, clumpy, frozen and ugly as hell.

[The_Real_TCIII]

This may be a stupid question but did he fall into a bowl of guacamole??

[Buckstopshere]

The damage could have been caused by another buck with longer tines, gouging into the back of this buck's neck. It got torn bad and infected, full of flies, maggots eating the dead flesh etc...

Only a surface condition for a deer, but they are tough critters. Never cease to amaze me.

[Lawdwaz]

21 hours ago, The_Real_TCIII said:

This may be a stupid question but did he fall into a bowl of guacamole??

I can't say that thought DIDN'T enter my mind. 

Oh yea.......I think I saw your wife at Kenyon's this morning around 10am??

[Lawdwaz]

10 minutes ago, Buckstopshere said:

The damage could have been caused by another buck with longer tines, gouging into the back of this buck's neck. It got torn bad and infected, full of flies, maggots eating the dead flesh etc...

Only a surface condition for a deer, but they are tough critters. Never cease to amaze me.

I poked around with a stick quite a bit and could not find any evidence of any type of trauma.  I watch a fair amount of CSI, Dateline, 20/20 etc to feel pretty confident in my skills, for what it's worth.

 

[Buckstopshere]

9 minutes ago, Lawdwaz said:

I poked around with a stick quite a bit and could not find any evidence of any type of trauma.  I watch a fair amount of CSI, Dateline, 20/20 etc to feel pretty confident in my skills, for what it's worth.

 

I probably should watch those shows. But I did read the complete Sir Arthur Conan Doyle collection of Sherlock Holmes a couple times and did stay at a Holiday Inn.

[The_Real_TCIII]

I can't say that thought DIDN'T enter my mind. 
Oh yea.......I think I saw your wife at Kenyon's this morning around 10am??

Yes you did, she "claims" she didn't see you


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[Lawdwaz]

19 minutes ago, Buckstopshere said:

I probably should watch those shows. But I did read the complete Sir Arthur Conan Doyle collection of Sherlock Holmes a couple times and did stay at a Holiday Inn.

I got nothing for that........

[Lawdwaz]

10 minutes ago, The_Real_TCIII said:

Yes you did, she "claims" she didn't see you


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I thought I saw a wink and the slightest of slight smiles but can't know for sure, it could have been directed at the Stockmohr salesman on the other side of the gas pump............

[The_Real_TCIII]

I thought I saw a wink and the slightest of slight smiles but can't know for sure, it could have been directed at the Stockmohr salesman on the other side of the gas pump............

He is handsome devil that one

[grampy]

A couple years ago, I kept seeing a small buck scratching the side of his neck with his hind leg. And there was a patch of hair missing in the area he was scratching. Saw him quite a few times over the course of the season. And he did that same scratching every time I saw him! He seemed healthy enough other than the peculiar scratching and the bare spot. Even saw him dogging a doe, and every so often he would stop and scratch! I guessed he had some type of mites or something along those lines. Never saw him the following year. So not sure what ever became of him. But had he been bigger I would have had no problem killing and eating him. Like I said, he looked and acted healthy enough. And the bare spot didn't look raw and infected.

[Trigger518]

I shot a deer this year that had bare spots like that on one ear, not that bad looking but wondered what caused it, also his head between his legs was black and crusted hard on the end of it lol didn't look good I think the 280 did him a favor but maybe its normal during the rut who knows.

[Lawdwaz]

8 minutes ago, Trigger518 said:

 I think the 280 did him a favor but maybe its normal during the rut who knows.

I'm not sure exactly what your deer had but I assure you mine wasn't a normal condition.  Besides what I've killed; hundreds of other dead deer have passed before my eyes and It's a first for me.

[Trigger518]

Yes I agree never seen it like that, the one I shot had just a bare spot on its one ear and clean looking.

[ATbuckhunter]

I probably would have done the same as you. As long as it's safe to eat, I would have donated it. Just because I don't feel comfortable enough to eat it, doesn't mean it's not good and someone else shouldn't enjoy it if it is safe to eat. I'd say you made the right call. I really wonder what it was.


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[The_Real_TCIII]

I passed on a buck a couple years ago that was absolutely covered in bumps. I have it on video somewhere I'll try and find it.

"The growths on these deer are cutaneous fibromas and are caused by a papilloma virus. ... Fibromas are also called warts, tumors, papillomas and fibrosarcomas, and they occur everywhere deer live. They are usually temporary on the body and can vary from 1/2 to 8 inches in diameter, or larger."

It was nasty looking


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[2012_taco]

Lawd, what did the deer weigh? When I saw it I was more concerned about his spine showing so much through the hide, I was worried that it was infected causing it to loose a lot of weight. The whole blood poisoning thing was what bothered me. Glad it was ok, If I didn't get the deer I did, I would have probably taken a chance on it.

[turkeyfeathers]

With your freezer full I think you did the right thing. Although the Buck and doe sponsor the deer for the annual venison dinner at Salvatore's I go to every year. I'll let you know the morning after if it was the right decision or not

I shot a spring turkey a handful of years ago that had one breast all gangrene and slimey. I opted out of eating that side. The other was fine. Not sure what caused the injury in the first place.