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Contralateral deformity. Due to darting?

Joined Dec 2010
411 Posts | 0+
Sydney, Australia
Has anyone noticed malformation to an antler due to an injury on the opposite rear leg?In particular from darting?It is something I have observed a few times,& something I consider when deciding if & where to dart a stag.You guys do so much more with a dart gun & I haven't seen any threads on this forum about it,so I was wondering if its not such a big issue. Cheers Sharkey
 
Sharkey,

I have darted quite a few deer. I have never caused an injury severe enough to effect antler development. I have seen broken legs from people darting fawns that in my opinion were too young to dart, but I have not tracked the progress on those that survived.
 
G'day Scott.Im not talking about severe injuries.More what you would describe as text book (if there is such a thing) procedures .For example a symmetrical head on a 4 year old, is darted after casting,his next head is malformed (its not often, & sometimes only slightly,enough for consideration though,as you wouldn't use him ) on the antler opposite to that rear leg next season.The following & subsequent years his head is symmetrical again.I have seen this a few times.Maybe just coincidence? Cheers Sharkey
 
G'day Curtis.I bet its pretty cool up there in Saskatchewan right now.Im asking to see if anyone has noticed antler malformation on one side due to an injury on the opposite rear leg,& if it has been due to a dart or not. Thanks Sharkey