Have you ever seen this? PICS!

[Huntrdfk]

That's pretty cool Mickey.  I've never seen it, but when you think about it it makes sense with the calcium that is in the antlers......


David

[Jeff Holchin]

I have suspected this behavior, when I found shed antlers way out in a field with no squirrels around, and the tips were chewed just as in your photo.  Another unusual thing is that mice in my house have chewed some of my sheds in the antler pile in the basement in half, if there was already entry into the center of the antler.

[the Ferret]

At one point she walked away and cruised thru a little flower garden nibbling here and there (to the left of the little dogwood in this photo) but eventually wandered back to the antlers

 

and proceeded to chew some more

 

[chrisg]

Happens here too, most commonly giraffe chew bones. ( no shed antlers in Afica!) Antelope like eland and kudu as well. Cattle also chew bones. The general concensus is that they chew them for the minerals, especially calcium. Interestingly after a veld fire many differnt species of grazing and browsing animals will gather to lick up the white burnt ash of trees and grass clumps. Zebra are quick to move to a burnt area. Same thing as a mineral lick, ash is pure mineral, no fibre and no water.

Is there such a thing as a real vegetarian given that humans are reputed to swallow at least fifty spiders in their sleep per year?
chrisg

[Shovelbuck]

Great pics and interesting subject. Thanks.

[JEFF B]

well thats it i wont be hunting whitetailed deer them buggers bite back.        real nice pics mickey

[bentpole]

Wow new to me great pics as usual Mickey!

[sticshooter]

Wow I never seen that before. Mick love that garden/ a do know if I lived near you ya would have to worry about more then them deer chewing on them!    <><

[Crooked Stic]

Now thats a new one on me. Got the be the minerals in the horns.

[Killdeer]

She's picking birdseed out of her teef.

Killdeer  

[vermonster13]

I want to know what Ferret planted to grow those things in the first place!

[fxe]

Maybe she was feeling a little horny  

[Strutter]

Looks like you need to make a mineral lick with some di-cal and salt in it.    Neat pic and thanks for sharing it with us.

Rob

[Landshark160]

Originally posted by fxe:
Maybe she was feeling a little horny    

[slow walker]

How the hell can you shoot those sweet (tasty) thangs Mickey?  :D

[the Ferret]

Hmmmm Killdeer may be onto something LOL (feasting on white millet for the ground birds)

 

[Woodduck]

Great Day In the Morning!

I'd heard it but now we know...thanks for sharing.  

[defiant]

Man thats a first for me!  :confused:  I always thought it was mice and squirrels.By the way I like your yard  

[Tom Leemans]

Well, I haven't seen deer chewing on antler before, but I had to avoid a doe on the highway this morning at 4:30. (That'll wake you up!) Anyway, I swear she was licking the pavement in the left lane! Maybe Al Gore has an explanation for this behavior.

[the Ferret]

Al Gore...well...nevermind    

Anyhow, just walked out and looked out front. Look where the elk rack is this morning (compare it to the first pic on page 1)



 :eek: