Sad Twist of Fate

[Sturg]

I got lucky the morning of Dec 31 and came upon two young bucks sparring.  I had seen both bucks many times throughout the fall.  Both were fringe players during the rut.  They would often hang around at a distance from the dominant buck when he was locked down with a doe.  The 8 pt was a little bolder than the 9 pt.  On this morning they sparred for 3 rounds.  They would take a short break between rounds.  Then they just split up and went on their separate ways.  It was like watching two wrestlers practice their moves.  I thought the 8 pt was an up and comer.  I liked the way his rack opened up and was hoping to see him make a good jump in size next year.  He is the buck with the burrs on his back.  Very fun to watch and shoot pictures.  I love the expressions in their faces  and their leverage positions.  Here are some of the sparring pics:

About three weeks later my brother was out and saw the 8pt with a broken leg.  I can only guess how he broke it, maybe he slipped on ice, or caught his foot in a hole, but he broke it badly.  He lived in a park and I doubt he was hit by a car. I saw him with his broken leg right at the end of January  about a week after my brother took the picture on the right posted below.  He was bedded in some thick cover and I haven't seen him since.  I'm assuming he didn't survive his injury.  I talked to some others that regularly visit the area and they have not seen him.  Lots of coyotes around so who knows, but maybe he'll surprise us and show up again.  Here is a before and after picture.  

Dec 31                                                                                                                         about  Jan 21

 

 

 

[eyeguy 54]

fun pics!   I would think the yotes had a nice meal. but one never knows, they are tough animals. 

[leech~~]

I've seem many of 3 legged Deer that kept going. Hopefully he is still hanging out. Google Pictures of 3 legged Deer and you will see lots of pictures of some.  Some of the pictures are pretty sad but lots that are doing well.

[Dbl]

Nicely documented!

[rundrave]

great pics, thanks for sharing!

[DonBo]

Wow, that's awesome to be able to witness that, and get such great photos to boot.  Thanks for sharing.

I agree with others. Have seen many deer hobbling around on three legs, then run like the wind with no apparent issue. You may not be seeing him because he dropped his horns?

[Sturg]

I went out last Sun morning and looked for him again but didn't see him.  I saw several other deer.  Only one of the bucks was still holding his rack.  On the up side I didn't find carcass remains either in the areas he would frequent so he could be hiding out.  Time will tell.

I did see the big buck of the area and he was looking quite different from Nov.  He lost his rack and some weight.  Nov-March change below.