Sticking with the theme of the elk rut this week, specifically the antler growth mentioned in last week’s article, and taking a look at an interesting phenomenon among the majestic deer family, atypical, (or non typical) antler growth.

If one has studied any member of the deer family (moose, elk, deer, etc.) for any length of time, one will have very likely come across photos of all manner of strange antler deformities. Images of white tailed and mule deer can be seen with an antler (or both) having far too many “points” than is commonly seen (mule deer average five points, and white tailed deer average 8-10), sometimes coming in with a dozen or more points on one antler.

Elk differ somewhat, in that the number of points don’t typically increase (they often decrease), but they tend to grow with either a “drooped” or “melted” look, or as the case with this handsome bull who merely grew a single “spike” with a few nubs, from a pedicle (the “socket” from which antlers grow from every year) that seems to have grown lower on the head over time.

There are a few reasons for atypical growth. Genetics can be a contributing factor, and is likely the case if multiple bulls or bucks display the trait in a given region. Low hormone levels are also known to cause atypical growth, which can also translate into the animal not ever shedding its velvet (see last week’s article regarding hormones dictating overall antler growth). These bulls are often seen with a mass of velvet forming at the pedicle, and their antler growth usually doesn’t progress beyond more than spikes (sometimes multiple) similar to the single spike grown by adolescent bulls.

By far the most common cause is injury, but even that comes in two potential causes. Most commonly understood is an injury to the pedicle. Oftentimes an injured pedicle causes atypical growth every year for the duration of the animal’s life. Other less similar cases stem from an injury elsewhere on the body where the body’s energy is devoted to healing the injury as opposed to the antler growth. Oftentimes this causes atypical growth for just the year of the injury, and preceding years show normal growth.

In the case of the bull shown this week, he likely suffered a damaged pedicle, noted by the antler growth being lower and more on the side of his head as opposed to the top, as is his left. While it is not a rare trait, it is not commonly seen, leading me to believe that this particular evening had me finding a bull I’d photographed two winters prior. The antler during that season had grown in such a way that the knobby base actually grew in as it would at the pedicle, but hung low on the “spike,” giving the appearance of another bull’s antler impaled in his head. Also, his location in the winter coupled with the location in this image gives a near-direct migratory line from his summer home up high to his wintering grounds at lower elevation.

This image was also captured during the same evening as last week’s article image of the sparring bulls, and while he didn’t participate nearly as much as the other bulls, he certainly wasn’t left out. Quite the opposite, he gladly stepped in to help guide and instruct the younger bulls in the bachelor herd, squaring off with them just as eagerly as his other older companions between bouts of grazing and resting. Even in my first winter encounter, it seemed that the other bulls made sure he was included in their practice sessions. It is doubtful he sees much real “action” in the way of rut battles, but it is not unlikely he gets a chance or two to sneak in and find a willing lady while the herd bull is away fighting off the many rogue bulls out looking for action.

Information for this article came from https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/ 2014/ 10/ 20/ what- causes- nontypical-antler-growth-in-elk-and- deer-ask-the-biologist/.

For additional information about James DeWalt Photography, check out https://jamesdewaltphotography.com.