Why some mule deer have split ears?

IdahoMuley · Post by **IdahoMuley** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:59 pm

Dose anyone know why some muledeer have split ears.

Post by **akw270** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 11:38 pm

Split Ears? Not sure I know what you mean? Share some more details.

IdahoMuley · Post by **IdahoMuley** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:03 pm

You know when the deers ear has a split right down the middle i have seen some like that. cows get it too. i was just wandering what caused it

Post by **BOHNTR** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:59 pm

Well you know it's just this younger generation mule deer bucks now-a-days. They split their ears, hang out past their curfew, and don't come home at all sometimes. 8)

Actually I believe the harsh winters are more responsible than other factors (predators, antler to antler conflicts, fences, etc.). There's not a lot of blood into this area anyway and severe cold does make them brittle and able to split.

In my part of the country where it's mild winters (Columbian Blacktails) I have rarely seen bucks or does with split ears. However, mule deer in cold country tend to have more. Who knows, maybe it is the younger generation bucks. 8)

BOHNTR )))-------------------->

Post by **akw270** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:38 pm

Dang Teenage Bucks!

I suppose thats why I wasn't sure what you where talking about. I have heard of it, but have never seen it.

I guess from what BOHNTR says it is probably due to the climate where I live. Nice and warm with mild winters..

IdahoMuley · Post by **IdahoMuley** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 9:48 pm

Yea i could be climate because here in idaho it gets dang cold some times

Post by **BOHNTR** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:05 am

akw270:

You're kidding me right? "Nice and warm" Utah? I remember one September I was bowhunting monster muleys at 11,000' in some back country in "warm" Utah. One of those summer thunderstorms blew in and promptly dumped a few inches of snow and produced some frigid wind. Brrrrrrr! Nope, I think Utah can get cold enough. If that's what it feels like in September, I can imagine what December feels like. :D

Now keep in minds guys, I'm about to complete the 7th day of temperatures ABOVE 93 degrees and it's only March! :( Unfortunately that what happens when you live in the Sonoran Desert of California.

BOHNTR )))------------------->

AGCHAWK · Post by **AGCHAWK** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:26 am

BOHNTR, your exactly right about the cold weather splitting the ears. I won't pretend that I am all knowing and that this was a simple question to answer (as if I have to point out to you all that I don't know EVERYTHING!). I was watching a discovery channel special last night and they covered this exact subject. When the weather gets extremely cold, the deer's body diverts the blood flow to more vital parts of the body. When this happens, the ears get cold, brittle, and then split. I guess it's relatively painless since they more than likely are numb by that point anyway (Still don't sound too pleasent to me).

Post by **MuleyMadness** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 12:54 pm

Discovery channel, dang I missed it. Well I don't get the
channel anymore, but sounds interesting. Have heard the same
thing, glad to hear the conformation.
Thanks!

IdahoMuley · Post by **IdahoMuley** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:34 pm

hey thanks for the answer. i bet it has to get pretty cold for that to happen.