Broken racks??

[First-light]

I hunt in 8P. I have never seen so many bucks, large and small with one side broken or completely missing. This weekend I had an 8 pt with one side broken, just 2 points, and a 10 point completely missing one side. My neighbor has seen so many deer through the years like this, he says it's from fighting? Any thoughts?

[WNYBuckHunter]

Sounds like you have some scrappers around!

[outdoorstom]

Over the last few days I've seen a big six pointer missing his right side. It snapped off about 4 or 5 inches up from his skull.I'm assuming it's from fighting, although it seems a little early for all out fighting right now.

[biggamefish]

Some of it could be from an injury with the velvet but if they are jagged I would think it is from fighting. Sounds like you have a good ratio of buck to doe and they are trying to prove who is the bigger buck.

[growalot]

They all got the DEC's AR memo.......

[Geno C]

fighting forsure, they fight alot in September when that velvet comes off

[NFA-ADK]

If you see them every year and you have a good population of Bucks I would think it's from fighting. Could be from bad genetics or malnutrition but that does not sound like the case in that WMU. That area is known for having high deer populations...

[First-light]

Yes there is a good amount of bucks in the area, food is everywhere!

[UpStateRedNeck]

He's been like that since July....... first time I've ever seen it. Hope it's not permanent, he'll be a stud next year if his other side grows in and he lives!

[nyantler]

He's been like that since July....... first time I've ever seen it. Hope it's not permanent, he'll be a stud next year if his other side grows in and he lives!

That is definitely pedicle damage which means thats how it will be forever.. unfortunately.. deer will regrow broken antlers if there is no damage to the pedicle... seeing how he has no growth during the antler growing stage its permanent.

Edited October 24, 2011 by nyantler

[Grizz1219]

Son saw 1/2 a 10 point two weekends ago... don't know what is going on this year...

[UpStateRedNeck]

Thanks NY, I'll put him on the list then.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Pedicle damage isnt genetic, so why not let him breed? He seems to have pretty good genes.

[biggamefish]

WNY that is qdma he is ugly must shoot now. Ask questions later

[WNYBuckHunter]

LMAO

[pawle76]

WNY that is qdma he is ugly must shoot now. Ask questions later

And the funny thing is culling strange racked or "ugly" bucks will never change the genetics of an area one way or another. A complete farse of qdma.

[nyantler]

And the funny thing is culling strange racked or "ugly" bucks will never change the genetics of an area one way or another. A complete farse of qdma.

Not to mention.. one mans garbage is another mans treasure... many hunters like those strange racks.. especially when they get bigger!

[First-light]

Hey guys,

well here is some proof on how they get broken. My neighbor found this under a tree that has been rubbed this year. It wasn't there two days ago so now we have three nice bucks with half racks running around!

[fasteddie]

They have broken racks in 8H also . The one I shot Wednesday had his right side broken and only had 2 points left on that side .

[hb270deermanager]

bucks do break racks off fighting but its not as common

as damage to the racks when they are in velvet and the

other common reason is that the antlers are made of calcium

minerals if in a given area certain minerals are lacking it

does make for a weaker antler base as far as what is needed

to make the antlers stronger.I dont know if anyone hunts around

dairy or horse farms but if the farmer put out minerals blocks think

back and I bet there were less broken antlered deer around.

[wooly]

Dang Burt, you keep posting pics like that makes me wanna skip the hunt and start shed hunting already,lol.

I usually pic up a few busted antlers or tines each spring. Haven't seen any busted up racks yet this season.