Injury or birth defect ?

**M00N** · 09-13-2007, 01:52 AM

It honestly could be either, but if you want my best guess it's an injury. My reasoning behind saying injury over birth defect is notice how the opposite side's antlers are stunted in growth? That normally is a sign of an injury on the opposite side from the stunted antlers. We had a fawn born here with a deformed leg that we watched grow, and know 100% wasn't injury related leg deformity, and he turned out to be a buck and didn't display the one sided antler stunted growth like the injured bucks we see display around here in past years. I would think if it was a birth defect he'd have normal antlers, or overall both antlers would be stunted if he was struggling with the deformity, because the birth defect wouldn't be trying to heal constantly. While an injury would probably stay active in healing for a few years trying to right itself and cause some damage to the antlers growth. But, that's just a guess. I could be wrong, though.

**c_lou** · 09-13-2007, 09:45 AM

Looks like a broken leg. I would say he got tagged by a car.

**toddyboman** · 09-13-2007, 09:59 AM

ouch!!! I would say injury. He could have a interesting rack this year and years to come

**wildside** · 09-13-2007, 10:13 AM

My vote is injury.

**buckee** · 09-13-2007, 10:27 AM

Yep, based on the antler growth, and the looks of that leg, I'd say it got very badly broken. Poor critter

**Texan_Til_I_Die** · 09-13-2007, 11:12 AM

Regardless of cause, I'd put that deer down if I had a chance.

**wtnhunt** · 09-13-2007, 11:58 AM

Looks like an injury to me too.

**razortec_hunter** · 09-13-2007, 01:21 PM

i bet he got a lick of a car.

i bet he'll be a nice buck in years to come though

**buckee** · 09-14-2007, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Texan_Til_I_Die

Regardless of cause, I'd put that deer down if I had a chance.

Yeah, I think I would too. That leg doesn't look like it will ever straighten out right to even hobble properly on. That's going to be a very difficult handicap for that buck, especially come winter.

stucka buck · 09-17-2007, 09:41 PM

that buck won't make it another year with predation if you don't try and put him down. i would hunt him just to save him some misery

**GobblerBuster618** · 09-18-2007, 11:38 PM

im going to say injury. take him outta the herd

adrenaline_junky · 09-20-2007, 02:55 PM

I'd say injury too. I would most definitly get him out of the herd if it's possible. He's gonna have a hard time makin it through winter if he even does. Good Luck.

**Tetro** · 09-20-2007, 09:12 PM

I agree with the injury. His other front leg doesn't look the straightest. But it could also be from the way he's standing. With his leg the way it is, he'll be a target for predators we won't be able to move as swiftly.