Q:

I am reposting this question because I haven’t received a definite answer. I am hoping someone will see this with some sort of experience in the matter. Maybe “Bioguy”??? Shot a buck on the 16th of October here in PA with a bow. 4 points on one side and would have been a nice 3 yr old 8 point but.... The other side has an antler that comes up and around-rounded off like it was in velvet; still not developed. 3 inches up it is hard bone like one would expect an antler to be. Past the hard bone it is semi-soft-feeling, like wood, and easily chipped away with a fingernail on the very end. It is also very dark colored in this area (almost black). I have never encountered an antler like this. Anyone have any information on what this could be. My best guess was that he was injured during velvet and the bone died before it could become like an antler should. It doesn't smell bad at all. I would have expected the deer to break this off during rubbing but it is pretty strong like bone (but semi-soft) up until the last inch. What I mean by "semi-soft" is that when you push your fingernail against it, your nail will feel a bit of give, as if you were pushing your nail against a piece of hard wood. (The last inch is where it is soft and easily chipped. Much like a rotted piece of wood.) There are pictures on my profile page of this. Anyone have any ideas???