Would love to hear from much more experienced hunters- is there a chance this young buck will end up with a similar rack next season or is there a chance that he will grow out of them. Seems like most believe “once a cull, always a cull”. Nobody wants bad genes reproducing, but are there scenarios that would change that view?

For the record, this guy is on small low fence property (250ish acres). He also never showed up in a situation where he could have been shot.

Could be injury related, looks like that buck might not have vision in his right eye either.

Hate to make a call from one night black and white trail cam picture, but he’s older than he is young.

I’m not wanting to address that one buck but in general on similar bucks I suggest you look up “spike on one side”. National Deer Association article I think. Basically it says it’s not genetic. Could be injury but main premise of study calls it “dirty shedding”. That means one side did not drop off cleanly. When it grew back there was no room to grow normal. Could stay that way every year or could grow back normal. I’ve personally seen one grow back normal and big.
There is a GREAT thread on here from a couple years ago that gets into it with a buncha pics. The thread is worth reading anyway for any deer manager. It’s called Management Bucks, or something, summer 2020 maybe.
https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/7875498/re-management-bucks#Post7875498

I'm thinking its an injury and not genes as well. He may grow out of it or might not. Depending on the injury he might not make it till next year. Injuries to the noggin are a hard call.

Injury IMO, looks like that right eye might not be in good shape either. I have killed several that it was damage to the pedestal causing a freak on one side. One that looked similar to the one in this photo. Like others said not exactly a youngster

Will post a pic of a 5X1 elk sometime when I dig it out again.

I’ll try to find some other pictures. I had more but I switched SD cards and the current card didn’t have a lot of pictures of him. I actually had read an article covering the how/why abnormal antlers occur, but I just didn’t know if I could pinpoint any of them. I thought the eye looked a little hazy, but wasn’t sure if it was just that picture. Thanks for all the insight all. Learning something every day in here!

And thanks for the link Free! Checking it out now.

The study/article from NDA.
https://deerassociation.com/spike-one-side-genetics-injury/

We had a significant deer somewhat like that. Right beam was glorious and the left beam was just that, abeam. We gave him a pass. He won't get another..

Damaged Pedicle. The only question is, is it a one time issue, or permanent? Only next year will tell. Happens quite often.

Almost impossible to say what he will do this next year but I to think this deer is middle aged at least and not all that young.

Agree 4+ on age...

I’ve seen several bucks over the years that had abnormal antler growth on the side opposite an injury.

That is not a young buck. I agree that deer is 4 maybe 5 years old.

Three years running on this one.

7 pt.