Fat less buck?

NECALI · Oct 3, 2014

My dad (79) killed a California blacktail a couple of weeks ago which had absolutely zero fat on him. So I was wondering if it's because of the drought or is that normal for mid Sept. and they start putting it on later in Oct. What ya think?

oilcan · Oct 3, 2014

Probably run ragged by the Mountain Lions . LOL

Buckhunter1955 · Oct 3, 2014

I thought the drought might effect the condition of our Blacktail herd too, but every buck killed this year by our group (6in all) here in Mendocino County have been rolly polly fat. I can't really explain it.We have a great crop of acorns in the Black Oaks this year, but they only just started hitting the ground in the last couple weeks.

NECALI · Oct 4, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Oct-04-14 AT 06:47AM (MST)[p]Yeah, probably right about the lions. Also coyotes an bears.
Good to hear some areas they're fat. I saw Joeys post about a dink buck and it looks like no fat either, so it has me curious.

YBO · Oct 4, 2014

Dean, the bucks we have harvested this year have had very little fat. No acorns and the ceanothus is so dry that the deer stick to the white thorn. Plus, 4 different cougars and at least 15-18 different bears caught on cameras. Thought I might run into you or Greg over by long lake on opening morning! Tell your dad congrats.

Gator · Oct 4, 2014

+1 YBO
Quality of food source would be the biggest factor.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

sageadvice · Oct 4, 2014

NECALI, that dink i shot had about 1/2 - 3/4" of Fat covering the top of his hind quarters and a bunch inside up by his kidneys and such. I've taken some much fatter but this guy was doing pretty good.

I killed plenty of lean bucks down lower in Kali. I know because i'm always surprised when i do see one just rolling in fat. There might not be a correlation and it's certainly up for debate but i wouldn't be surprised if the more mature bucks taken have more Fat than the younger bucks. That's my experience anyway.

Good on your Dad! Are you going to post up a Pic?

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

NECALI · Oct 4, 2014

Unfortunately I didn't get any pics of it. My camera died on me. My son in law got some so maybe I can have him shoot me a couple. Good to hear yours had some fat. YBO I sent you a PM.

bonepicker · Oct 5, 2014

I would guess that it could be some sort of ailment. Parasites or a disease. You can sometimes see one skinny deer with ribs visible with a group of fat deer. That makes me think that there is something going on with that particular deer.

NECALI · Oct 6, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Oct-06-14 AT 01:01PM (MST)[p]Could be something like that. I have also seen deer in our area that for some reason are skinny compared to others around. I've often wondered what was going on. Thought it might just be genetics.

eelgrass · Oct 6, 2014

I've taken a lot of blacktails with no or not much fat. I don't know why that is but it doesn't bother me. It saves having to trim all the fat off, as the fat ruins the taste, IMO. I'd rather not take a buck with too much fat.

Eel

Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.