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Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
#8233996
04/12/21 09:05 PM
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 193
JRSUSMC94
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 193 |
I just came upon this article from Texas State's Forensic Anthropology Center where they study the natural decay of human remains. Apparently, they caught some whitetail deer on camera chewing on some of the bones out there. I'd seen the video of the deer eating a bird, heard of squirrels eating baby birds, and things like that, but I've never heard of deer scavenging bones. Was curious if some of you that have spent a lot of time watching deer had ever seen anything like this, I found it kind of interesting. This link has the abstract for the paper and a poster with the photographic evidence. It's not super graphic, but they are human bones, so use your best judgment. https://www.researchgate.net/public..._White-Tailed_Deer_Gnawing_on_Human_Bone
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: JRSUSMC94]
#8234015
04/12/21 09:24 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,336
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,336 |
Never seen deer gnawing on bones.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: JRSUSMC94]
#8234119
04/12/21 10:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,506
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,506 |
i have seen a couple bucks gnawing on old shed antlers that were already bleached white. figured those wanted more calcium. Both times was during turkey season when the new antlers were just growing good.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: kmon11]
#8234144
04/12/21 11:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 795
BbarVRanch
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 795 |
i have seen a couple bucks gnawing on old shed antlers that were already bleached white. figured those wanted more calcium. Both times was during turkey season when the new antlers were just growing good. Bingo. Nature tells animals what to eat/crave. I've had rancher friends have to remove bones from cattle because they were stuck in their mouth, and couldn't eat or drink in that situation. It goes bad really quick if you don't catch them, and remove the stuck bone. Usually means a phosphorus deficiency. Feeding mineral should stop that problem.... in deer, cattle or whatever.
Last edited by BbarVRanch; 04/12/21 11:02 PM.
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: JRSUSMC94]
#8234236
04/13/21 12:38 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,987
Michael W.
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,987 |
A couple years ago I was headed down south of San Antonio and passed a group of cattle standing knee deep in an old burn pile. Looked like they were eating/licking the ashes. I assumed it was some mineral they were needing.
A clear conscience is often the sign of a fuzzy memory.
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: JRSUSMC94]
#8234503
04/13/21 10:22 AM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,213
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,213 |
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: BbarVRanch]
#8234512
04/13/21 10:46 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,593
decook
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,593 |
i have seen a couple bucks gnawing on old shed antlers that were already bleached white. figured those wanted more calcium. Both times was during turkey season when the new antlers were just growing good. Bingo. Nature tells animals what to eat/crave. How did nature figure out that my wife's chocolate cake was a legit craving?
Press for an AMERICAN.
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: JRSUSMC94]
#8234515
04/13/21 10:51 AM
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 151
Dimitri
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 151 |
Once came upon a steenbuck eating the sand in a dry riverbed. Always figured that there was some mineral in the sand that the steenbuck needed or enjoyed. Porcupines in SA often carry bones to their dens and gnaw on them there.
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: Hudbone]
#8234903
04/13/21 04:42 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796 |
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: Michael W.]
#8235984
04/14/21 03:41 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,072
easton1025
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,072 |
A couple years ago I was headed down south of San Antonio and passed a group of cattle standing knee deep in an old burn pile. Looked like they were eating/licking the ashes. I assumed it was some mineral they were needing. we see wildlife and farm animals around old burn piles regularly.....Definitely something there they like....
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: JRSUSMC94]
#8236002
04/14/21 03:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,290
BenBob
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,290 |
I have seen cows chewing on bones and old antlers.
Tired, Wired, and Uninspired
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: JRSUSMC94]
#8236561
04/14/21 11:29 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
I have seen a few deer chew on old bones and even shed antlers before. Any animal that is lacking some mineral, trace mineral or vitamin in its diet will seek a plant or soil site or other source to replenish what they need. Deer antlers will have about 20%+ calcium, 10% phosphorus, and then some magnesium, sodium, sulfur, and a combination of iron, zinc, copper, aluminum, potassium, manganese and other elements. A lot of what is in an antler will depend on what is readily available in the native vegetation or soil where they live. Also, what is supplemented to them with mineral licks or protein pellets can effect how much mineral is in the antler. A hardened deer antler with have from 35%-45% protein in it also.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Deer gnawing/scavenging bones
[Re: JRSUSMC94]
#8236635
04/15/21 12:23 AM
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 193
JRSUSMC94
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 193 |
Thank y'all for the answers. It's all pretty fascinating stuff.
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