SPORTING ANSWERS

Why did mature buck die?

STALKING

Q During an evening stalk in early July, I came across a mature buck that looked poorly. He had his head down and was staggering. He was in a neighbour’s field, so I left him, let my neighbour know and went home. Next morning, I found the buck dead in my wood. He had a decent head, so I took him home to salvage it and, when I skinned him, I was amazed at the extent of the injuries to his neck, shoulders and head. His neck skin was thick, so there were no puncture wounds, but there were numerous small bruises.

I wondered if he had been attacked by a dog. Any suggestions?

A Given the time of year, an attack by another buck might be a more likely explanation.

With bucks wandering about looking for territory, confrontations are not uncommon, and the level of aggression displayed and the extent of the damage and injuries caused can be extensive.

Attacks by predators, such as dogs, tend to result in open wounds – think, for example, of sheep worrying – whereas clashes between deer will often cause extensive bruising and damage under