There was nothing wrong with that deer. The meat on it was very good. It was early in September and had very short hair it gets pretty hot in the Badlands and alot of early season bucks look that way there. Sorry had to sign in w/ different username I'm on different computer and didn't have my password. I also posted a picture of my NM buck.
I would have to disagree with the all velvet bucks look like that. I mount 20-30 a year and have never seen one with its face so small and sunk in. Maybe like you said it's typical for the area and climate but around here that would be a funny looking velvet buck.