Ultradog Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Got a question for you deer experts. I was sitting in my stand Sat Morning - the rifle opener here in Minn. Had what I thought was a fawn come by so I watched it as it approached - (what else is there to do?) He came within about 10 yards from my stand so I had a chance to get a real good look at him. He was almost right under my stand before I noticed he had horns. Two little prongs about 1/2" in diameter and only about 3" long. Was really surprised to see them. He was a small deer - like a big fawn. And those tiny little horns. Normally around here a 1 1/2 YO buck is at least a spike with 8" horns, maybe a fork and sometimes a little basket rack 6 point. But this buck's head gear was tiny. So I am wondering; was this deer a true fawn that had matured early or was he a real runt. I mean, can a 6 month old deer have horns 3" long? I have never seen such a small rack in all my years of hunting. If it helps he was alone, cruising like a buck would be doing this time of year. Anyway, I sat all weekend and didn't see another deer. Got two more weekends though so am still hopeful. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 i'm not an expert. i just like to read about stuff a lot and I'm an engineer so i think about stuff more than i should. lol my opinion is it's hard to say for certain. based on what you said with the body size, i'd say he's just one of the first fawns to drop. born by an older doe that got breed sooner. i've seen the same thing a few times and in the same area. not sure if it means he'll turn into a monster, but he'll definitely be bigger bodied than others born of the same season. even have bigger antlers until maturity, and then genetics will start to slow things down or make him blow up, in comparison to the other deer within the age class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 I've seen fawns with visible (short) antlers before in the midwest and Texas. It could very well be this year's fawn. The dead giveaway for a fawn is that short puppy dog looking nose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewink Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I have the twin to your lil buck running around. Probably an early drop this year or an extremely late drop from last year. My little buck has 2 little pencil like tines. Kinda like the pencils you get at a mini golf range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I'd bet he's 1.5 and a late drop from last year, or just poor genetics and nutrition. I almost shot a deer a few years ago that I thought was a doe, but when he got within 10 yards I noticed 1 antler and it had a little knot near the base, but the spike had to be around 1 or 2 inches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Have seen early born this years fawns with spikes like you are talking about. If they are getting great nutrition and no stress it is quite possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger-Hunter Posted November 11, 2011 Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 Early drop, good nutrition. Next year should be a good 4 pointer - Keep an eye on him if possible. Would be great to see him in 2 or 3 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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