What to make of this buck?

[P8riot]

I haven't checked my cams since mid-December. Just checked them today and saw this zombie.

The date was 12/19 so he should have had a rack. Looks like he never grew one from the year before. Just super old and he didn't grow a rack or CWD?

 

[giles]

Looks old or injured to me.

 

[Gern186]

Looks injured.

 

[P8riot]

One of the C's maybe got him. Car or Coyotes. I just couldn't wrap my head around the lack of a rack.

I read that really old bucks can lose their rack anytime after the rut. The rut starts around 11/9 here, so I suppose it checks out.

 

[Jackalope]

Yeah he looks injured on his back. Likely full of infection judging by the hair loss.

 

[Reagan]

A buck will shed antlers early if he is in poor health. Wounds from cars or hunters can cause it or rut exhaustion. I’ve seen skinny bucks accidentally shot as a doe during muzzy season. They had no body fat and no antlers.

 

[P8riot]

Thanks guys! I was worried about CWD and being ground zero for it over here in Western IN! I got out late in the seasone here hunting so thankfully I didn't shoot him thinking he was a doe! I probably would have not wanted to eat him.