Judging genitics vs injury

[motorbreaker]

Every year we have bucks running around with one good side, And one messed up side. I know that some are genetic. But have also had some not show the next year making me wonder if it was an injury that caused the messed up growth.
This buck looks to me like he has a genetic flaw. But I'd hate to be wrong and take him if it's from an injury. Hoping for some thoughts from you guys.

 

[Bigslam51]

He appears young. I'd let him go regardless and see what he does next year.

 

[motorbreaker]

Here's one from a few years back. Ill post more later. Takes time to go thru all these pictures.

 

[Bigslam51]

Now that's a crazy lookin Fugger!
I'd hate too be the buck fighting him LOL.

 

[Mike]

Here's one from a few years back. Ill post more later. Takes time to go thru all these pictures. View attachment 34414

That looks just like the one I killed this past season. Straight up on his right side.

 

[Lumber head 75]

This is the 3rd year of growing like this. He is 4 now and my son or I get the chance I think we will take him out. We have bigger bucks on our property but he is old enough.

 

[Lumber head 75]

Another pic of him. This is genetic with this one but I have seen abnormal growth due to injury. It effects the opposite side of the injury. If a buck is injured on the right side of his body it will effect the left antler.

 

[ChasinTheTrophy]

Another pic of him. This is genetic with this one but I have seen abnormal growth due to injury. It effects the opposite side of the injury. If a buck is injured on the right side of his body it will effect the left antler.View attachment 34416

Lumber head is correct . Often times if a deer is wounded the deformity will show on th opposite side . The deer in your first pick its hard to tell because he looks young so I wouldn't be comfortable saying either way for sure .

 

[giles]

Meet "TrainWreck". He has been around my little 6 acre woods for 2 years now. He has a nub on one side and he breaks everything off his other side. We have tried to bag his ass both years now and I only ever see him once I already punch my buck tag... I get hundreds of pictures of him and I know when he's around just by how the other deer act. This dude is spreading his genetics around here and I don't much like it.


I think these pics are 2 years old now, but his rack looks the same both years.

 

[motorbreaker]

Found 2 of the 3 years I had pictures of this buck. He was killed by the neighbor in 2013.

 

[finelyshedded]

Definitely lots of bad genes in your area! Cools stuff though.

 

[PA Bandit]

In my experience it seems to be more of a genetic thing than an injury related (which makes sense honestly). It seems to spread fairly quick in the areas where I see this as well not sure if that is because the few are tending a lot of does or what but just my general experience. Typically when you see one within a few years your are seeing quite a few with goofy looking racks. The property I am hunting know probably has a half dozen or so.

My opinion is they have a lot of character and to me who is not concerned so much with shooting a world class whitetail I enjoy seeing these unique deer in the woods and potentially having an opportunity to harvest one.

 

[bowhunter1023]

You have a ton of good genetics in your area too based on other pics. Gotta take the bad with the good! That said, there does seem to be some bad ones in the area.

 

[Lumber head 75]

He appears young. I'd let him go regardless and see what he does next year.

Spot on Chad. Let him go a few years he might surprise you.

 

[ChasinTheTrophy]

Never know !!!