Mule Deer Fangs

[kawboy]

The deer I shot this year had teeth in a similar spot that you would find elk ivory. They were fairly sharp as well. In speaking with the Biologist, it is a very rare occurrence in muleys. Figured I would share it with you guys, has anyone else seen this before?

I'll tell you who it was . . . it was that D@MN Sasquatch!

 

[mmwb]

Pretty cool! It is more common in whitetails, but still rare. One of the theories is that they well developed canines in the past and scavenged meat as well as plants.

 

[powderfinger]

Maneater. You are lucky.

 

[Tristate]

These are true canines and are an lost trait amongst cervids in the genus odocoileus. When I was coming through the wildlife department in mammalogy they had a whitetail skull which had expressed canines. At that time my professor stated it was about 1 out of twenty thousand will express this trait. Since then as a taxidermist I have seen several specimens, both mule deer and whitetail which express this trait so I think the numbers are higher than what that professor told me way back when. However it does seem I have personally seen it occur more commonly in the mule species than whitetail. However logically I can see with the latest genetic studies comparing age of species between mule deer and whitetail it seems more logical that it would exist more within whitetail, but I have yet to see a specific study indicating either result.

Congrats on a cool trophy.

 

[paddlehead]

I am in the process of doing a euro for a guy right now that has/had them. The teeth were gone, but the hole is there, but only on one side. I thought it kind of unusual too. I always thought that there is a possibility since deer and elk are in the same family.....

 

[archerycrazy]

That's really cool! I normally don't bother to check, but I will now!

 

[Zeke]

Kawboy,
I love the deer but I don't like your meat-mount! The wall mounts with the hide on look much better! LOL

Okay, back to reality. I have not seen fangs on our deer before, that I can recall. Some of the European and Asian deer have fangs so it's not too hard to believe that ours would too.

That's really cool....and one helluva buck!

You're having yourself a fine year my friend!

Zeke

 

[kawboy]

Dang Zeke!..... I should have asked you before I went that route for the mount! I wonder if it's too late to change.

I'll tell you who it was . . . it was that D@MN Sasquatch!

 

[littlebighorn]

Who cares about the fangs. That's a dang nice buck.
Congrats kawboy!

And the mount could be used next time Body World comes to town.

 

[cbstewart]

>These are true canines and are
>an lost trait amongst cervids
>in the genus odocoileus.
>When I was coming through
>the wildlife department in mammalogy
>they had a whitetail skull
>which had expressed canines.
>At that time my professor
>stated it was about 1
>out of twenty thousand will
>express this trait. Since
>then as a taxidermist I
>have seen several specimens, both
>mule deer and whitetail which
>express this trait so I
>think the numbers are higher
>than what that professor told
>me way back when.
>However it does seem I
>have personally seen it occur
>more commonly in the mule
>species than whitetail. However
>logically I can see with
>the latest genetic studies comparing
>age of species between mule
>deer and whitetail it seems
>more logical that it would
>exist more within whitetail, but
>I have yet to see
>a specific study indicating either
>result.
>
>Congrats on a cool trophy.

Cool info!


Fine Art and Photography
http://cbstewart.myshopify.com

 

[Mnbearhunter123]

I have shot several whitetails in ND with canines. I think their more common than you'd think. Kind of an evolutionary throwback. Reaching back in the family tree to relatives like the water deer in Asia. A deer species which has huge protruding canines.

 

[Truelife]

I've been a taxidermist for 20 years and haven't seen one of those. I do know that the great mule deer ancestors had them though. Pretty cool, thanks for sharing.

 

[Zeke]

>Who cares about the fangs.
>That's a dang nice buck.
>
>Congrats kawboy!
>
>And the mount could be used
>next time Body World comes
>to town.

Haha so true.
Ya LBH, why is he talking about the fangs when that thing has antlers like that?????!!!!!!
Zeke

 

[ICMDEER]

I shot a buck year before last that had them. He was killed in central Colorado and was a 4+ year old buck. I had a guy with dermestid beetles do a Euro mount for me and he also said it is one in 20,000.

I put it low on the wall so a person can see the canines. No one except me has thought it is cool so far. I like it.

Congrats on a unique trophy. With one in 20,000 odds, I'd choose a Booner if given the choice.

 

[vaquero]

dang i hit the jackpot, i just shot a buck in idaho that has them

 

[kawboy]

I have had a lot of fun talking to biologists and researching about it. Everyone I talk to that has an extensive history with mule deer is really excited about it. It is a rare trophy indeed.

I'm also really excited that he's my best buck to date. I first found him in July.

I have a lot of reasons to be excited about it. It's really a trophy to remember.


I'll tell you who it was . . . it was that D@MN Sasquatch!

 

[Togwotee]

I shot a big buck in WY years back and he had one just like that. taxidermist said it was the first one he'd seen.

I have Dr Giest's book on mule deer and I think he covers the evolution of mule deer. I'm too lazy to read it again but I don't remember anything about canines.















Stay Thirsty My Friends

 

[Cinchy52]

In horses the males or Stallions have teeth there & they are called wolf teeth . Usually owners have them removed while the horse is still young, as they interfere with how the bridle bit fits in the horses mouth.