December Velvet

For several years, I was on a lease in Mason county. We have taken several "Bucks" throughout the year that were still in velvet in late December. I have posted a picture of the head of one my daughter took in 2008 (date on camera was wrong). The thing with these deer are that they were in velvet ALL THE TIME. They always had small or "mutant" racks. None of them had testicles.

So - Since they can't reproduce, where are the genetics coming from that create these things? I tend to lean towards the theory that it's genes from a doe that needs to get taken off. I don't think it's a buck because some of the hunters I was on the lease wih would shoot anything with antlers.

Does anyone have a clue about these things?

I`ve taken two in my life time up in Media co. but nothing that big in horn size. We always just call them freaks. Looks like a job for the cull hunters!!!



Great pic JR

We had taken TONS of them off that place and they kept coming back. My brother-in-law is still on that lease and they are still seeing them. They can't take guests, which is too bad because the buck/doe ratio is WAY OFF. They are also starting to have a pig problem. As a matter of fact, my brother-in-law works (every weekend) the landowner's cattle, fixes barns, plows the field - and they still charge him full price for the lease.

We took this one to have a European mount because it was still in velvet. The taxidermist took all the velvet off! That was basically the only reason we wanted it mounted.

Thats crazy why would the Tax remove the velvet unless it falls off while its in the boiling pot......Did you ask what happen?

He said it came off when he was treating it. I don't know anything about taxidermy.

Thanks, RD!

Sure Thing JR.....