Question for Shredder

[Thinkin Rut]

Sounds like you've done your homework on these oddball racks. My question is, If these deer have these racks as a result of injury, is there a need to take them out of the gene pool? The deer I am referring to is "Freak" in trail cams. He has a nice large body and a potential for mass. Maybe he has great genetics with a injury altered rack? Give me your thoughts.

 

[cornfield]

I believe that the albia buck had an injury which resulted in a "lessor" rack the year previous to it being shot. It may have 2 years before it was shot, but none the less, the deer did recover from the injury and ultimately grew a pretty nice rack.

 

[NebraskaWhitetail]

There is a good possibility that an injury-altered rack will correct itself the following year. The same cannot be said by genetically-altered racks. Give "Freak" another season and see what happens.

 

[Guest]

I think I would have to side with Nebraska.If it was injury related then he will recover and then you may end up with a monster.If it is genetics then you never know what is next.

 

[Abolt]

depends on the location and severity of the injury. my motto is when in doubt take him out, if he is in ferior you dont him breeding in the heard

 

[Shredder]

What the other guys have said. If it is a leg injury, they sometimes don't recover (how this works for sure, I don't understand. Pedicle injuries may or may not correct themselves, Velvet injuries will often correct themselves upon shedding and new growth.