Those are like teardrop tattoos for prisoners. That would be a count of the number of gay encounters this buck has had. . . .Thus the mushroom shape. Sort of like "The Scarlet Letter", but for gay bucks.
Nah. I just made all that shit up. LolPhil you have too much info.
Hopefully someone else chimes in. I read somewhere an "acorn" antler tip can be from an insect (mosquito or gnat I think) laid eggs in the velvet and this is how the antler growth changed or formed around it? Maybe that was if there was a hole in the horn? Seems there was something about insects laying eggs in the velvet which causes some of these unique antler growths.
Someone more educated than me knows this answer. If not, they should. I have seen these before. Think my 2010 buck has one.
Any ideas whats up with this deer? Drivers side tines are all balled up on the ends and I also noticed that ear is ripped, think maybe it was damges during velvet or what? Also would be interested on where you see him on inches, its obvious he's a pretty dominant buck IMO
Well I just googled it. Acorn tips are formed by jamming the end of an antler tip during growth. Holes are from a tear in velvet.
http://www.northamericanwhitetail.c...ment_nawthe_world_of_whitetail_antlersii0910/
I also found this:
Antlerman has it right. The acorn tips are caused when the soft spongy developing antler (bone) is injured or fractured. The resulting flare is the result of that fracture healing under the velvet. The holes or tulips are also injury related. If the velvet is injured, flies can lay eggs in the bloody wound and the resultant larva (which live off the decaying tissue) cause the rounded holes while the antler continues to develop around them. Fly larva are incapable of penetrating healthy, uninjured velvet. Both deformities are the results of injury; one to the developing antler, and the other to the velvet itself.