WINTER VELVET

Have you seen a “cactus” buck? Probably not.

That doesn’t mean a spiny desert plant shaped like a deer. Rather, it’s the rare phenomenon that occurs in deer with some testosterone deficie ncy. Often, these deer exhibit biological aberrations, such as breeding suppression or nonexistent shedding, and the condition can result in bizarre antler configurations. Such deer get the moniker cactus bucks because their racks are often gnarly masses of fuzzy growth with many bumps and protrusions, sort of resembling a saguaro cactus.

WIND, WIND AND MORE WIND

My introduction to deer anomalies occurred during mid-November 1996, on the opening day of Missouri’s firearms season. Then, I prided myself in staying on stand all day, from dark to dark. At 29, I did that often, knowing it increased my chances of being there when a big buck walked by.

The weather that year was less than desirable.