Hike4coues Report post Posted April 19, 2016 I learned a very valuable lesson in late January this year... I was backpacking into a place where I thought I would set up and glass. I was coming up out of a draw when I saw a whitetail doe, and then her boyfriend walked out, stood broadside 30 yards, and stared at me. I was able to pull an arrow out of the quiver and get set up. In the excitement, I had forgotten that I had left my release in my pack, thinking that I would do a spot and stalk. What a bummer!!! Well, sort of. Okay, what about the topic.... Well, the strange thing about this buck was that he only had one antler. It was a very typical 3 point, but only one. I didn't see anything on the other side. Appeared as smooth as a billiard ball. Eventually the doe took off, the buck followed. That's when the mule deer buck I had not seen at all went stotting off. I was floored!!!!! He had been behind a manzanita bush and I was so keyed in on the whitetail that I never thought to look around. A few years ago I was in Oregon and saw some Blacktail that had only one antler and was told that it was a genetic problem. Has anybody seen anything like this in Arizona Coues? I suppose he could have broken it off right at the base? I have several photos of a buck on a trailcam that has both of his fronts broken off, so I know they can break. any thoughts...? Please forgive me if this post belongs some place else... My first post Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PelaPapas Report post Posted April 19, 2016 Welcome! I once had a coyote within 40 yards trot right by me when I was done hunting for the day. Bow in hand but I took off my release. Coyote had no idea I was there, would've been a downed dog if I had my release on. Now I keep my release on until I get to camp. As for the deer with one side. I've seen a couple deer like that in the past. One tall fork with one side and the other was a 3x3 with one side. My guess was they lost it from fighting. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted April 19, 2016 I have seen bull elk like that in the velvet. I would guess either broke the pedicle off the skull (that must have hurt), or some genetic abnormality. I found an elk antler one time that had the pedicle and a big chunk of skull attached. It was a big antler too, wish I could have found the guy that broke him off! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Sparky Report post Posted April 20, 2016 The time I have seen it was on deer that were um.......only had one part of a two part set. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edge Report post Posted April 20, 2016 Last January I hiked down a trail predawn where I could glass a good area and where I had seen two lions the evening before. Was almost lite when I got under the juniper. Leaned my bow against the tree while setting up my stool. Started glassing the hill in front of me when I noticed something fuzzy moving at the bottom of my view. A nice 4 point mulie was browsing by not 45 yards broadside in front of me. Release still in my pocket, bow leaning against a tree. By the time I was set up for a shot, he was now 100 yards and cresting a brushy hill. I pursued him but no shot. Lesson learned. PS glassing up the lions nite before at a couple hundred yards, it was archery season but my .243 was in the truck about 50' behind me. Brought it along just in case. Geez. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim Report post Posted April 20, 2016 After several episodes as above my release goes on in the morning and comes off after dark. There is little time of the day that it is not on my wrist. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edge Report post Posted April 20, 2016 After several episodes as above my release goes on in the morning and comes off after dark. There is little time of the day that it is not on my wrist.So true. Important to have a comfortable one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim Report post Posted April 21, 2016 My wrist strap is pretty comfortable even to the point of looking for it then realizing I'm already wearing it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hike4coues Report post Posted April 23, 2016 That is fascinating!!!! That they could even break of a piece of skull! Ouch!!! I never had thought of the only half of the reproductive organ aspect. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
capoeirajosh Report post Posted April 25, 2016 Hahaha, what a bummer! That's how it happens though right? When we aren't ready or that one time we forget a key piece of gear. I think that some bucks might just grow one antler, because of genetics maybe? I know I have seen elk with one antler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted April 25, 2016 I have a photo of a nice one-antlered buck somewhere....will have to see if I can find it. Sometimes they do break them off right at the base, or sometimes damage to the pedicle and skull bones can cause them to be unable to grow antler or they grow abnormal antlers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edge Report post Posted April 25, 2016 My dad told me a story about shooting a one horned buck in a forked horn or better season. Said a game warden watched him take the shot and they both saw the buck tumble down a steep hill. When they got to the buck, his one rack had been torn off in the tumble. Warden said he was going to write dad up for killing an illegal buck unless that forked horn was found. Warden field dressed the buck while pop climbed up and down the hill, horn hunting. Eventually found it and the warden helped carry the buck towards the logging road. Afterwards, dad asked the warden if he was really going to write him up with out that antler. Warden just grinned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
