I think I shot a Unicorn!

Had this guy in the camera several times. I knew he was broke off on the left but had no idea that the right side was broke and this third antler was growing next to it.

-Z

Would make an awesome euro!

Would have been interesting to see what he would look like in future years

he was 2-2.5 years. I don't think I want those genetics passed on.

He was not gonna win any beauty contests. Good job.

Definitely a shooter in my book!

they do exist!

Genetics like that never make a nice rack.

they do make good chilly though.

Nice buck to kill if you did not like him. That was not genetics that caused that antler growth but more pedicle damage from the year before. Yes, 1.5 yr old bucks will fight and break an antler out of their skull. Sometimes it can cause a 3rd beam to appear on the skull.

Good eating right there.

Yup, fully agree, happens more often than we like to think.

In 2004, a 1½-year-old was being seen that had a third antler, much like the buck in the OP. As the ranch owner, I thought we ought to see what became of him.



By the time he turned five, he was one smart cookie. I was probably the last one to see him, about 10:00 during mid-November, he walked within 35-yards of my tower blind to scent check a feeder upwind. Honestly, I almost shot him, but I had a young lady coming out that afternoon for her first hunt, and I thought he would make a memorable first deer. We never saw him again. Two and half years later, I found him deer along a dry creek bed about 80 yards from where this picture was taken. It was just his skull, the antler size and not been much that last year, but the extra antler was still there. I let him rest in peace right where he was.

@Ranch Dog,

Your image is not showing

I see it on two different devices. Don't know why you aren't seeing it?

His heart gave out from all that weight he was carrying around. He turned out nice and unique....

Yes, he did. Whatever caused the third antler was not passed along to others as he has remained unique. He is typical of the large 8s I have on the place. They get 5YO and they are a tough, but rewarding hunt to single out.