How old and how did he get this way?

[LenS]

This guy showed up again last night. He has been one of my "range-shifters" for awhile. Pic is from 2 years ago, videos are from last year and this year. How old do you think he is and how you reckon he got such crazy antlers? It's a shame but he's not near the crazy rack he was previously.

 

[TN Song Dog]

Looks young and gnarly. 2.5?

 

[megalomaniac]

Top buck video looks 2.5
middle buck video from 2023 looks 1.5-2.5
bottom photo looks 2.5

I don't think all 3 are the same buck.

That rack style is most likely genetic.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Looks like a 2.5 year old in the first video. But that doesn't fit the last pic from 2022 if it was the same deer.

I had one with a similar rack, tight and funky, that I watched the deer wondering if he would be coyote bait. Bit this one, one of his front legs was turned in and he couldn't walk on it at all. I think he had gotten hit by a car, and I seriously considered putting him down, mercy kill. I was surprised the next season when he showed back up, still walking the same, he didn't put on as much weight as he should have but he still fed fine and didn't seem at all malnourished. His antlers were a little thicker but pretty well the same. Saw him a couple times and got pics of him into November and he vanished.

The deer in your pics may just have bad genetics.

 

[swampbadger]

He's gonna be a super freak in a few years!

 

[Popcorn]

Look at the 2nd video and stop it as he walks away
I think his name is no nutz!
That would do it!!

 

[Ski]

Look at the 2nd video and stop it as he walks away
I think his name is no nutz!
That would do it!!

I believe he may be a she.

 

[ULTRAMAG25]

I believe he may be a she.

I believe you are exactly correct sir. Can't see any nads in the video footage myself.

 

[Wooden Arrow]

I believe he may be a she.

or an "it". damaged/missing testes can easily cause bizarre antler formation