Talk about a buck declining…….

[usanglure]

But rut was probably a small part. Deer we know well. Past last yr. Figured he blow up this yr- he did. Went off cams mid november and just came back. Hard to look at. He should have stayed home- i wouldnt have shot him. But someone did. Reckon he can survive?

Night pic is field behind my house. Day pic is a couple of ridges back

Hell I shot my Computer looking at him......

 

[.243 Deer]

Not in my experience. Makes them very nocturnal and weary. He will most likely shed early as well. Unless very hurt then it's a race between time. He will probably turn to food thats the best chance. That deer while hurt will most likely survive. Infection is the real issue honestly. But it will probably be his biggest rack, but not necessarily. Had one shot last year by a neighbor he was hit high and he put on 8 to 10 inches and still symmetrical. Who knows, it's all speculation.

You are right. It definitely is speculation. I think the worst of his worries right now is like you said, infection, but also coyotes. Coyotes kill injured deer like this at a higher rate than healthy ones.
I also agree that likely, his rack is the biggest it'll ever be but maybe not, who knows.

I'd love to see this deer make it till next deer season and see how his antlers and wound look then. But I'd personally shoot him if I saw him.

 

[readonly]

looks like muscle and tendon. He will be fine. Plenty of three legged deer out there that have been fine and most of them were probably just like this at one point. If he were going down due to infection he wouldn't be up an around IMO.

20 years ago I know a guy who shot a decent 8 point. He had been shot earlier that year in the shoulder and survived that, was a mess when they skinned him though. Not sure how much he was limping prior to the shot. Most shoulder shots will pierce the chest cavity though and I doubt that would be survivable.