What Is a Cactus Buck? Odd Deer Spotted in the Wild!

If you are deer hunting and you see a buck with abnormal antler growth patterns, you may have seen a cactus buck.

I usually only see the bucks with massive points and weird antler growth on those hunting ranches. They call these deer cactus bucks, and they are found in the wild, but there is a reason for the strange antler growth.

Ever Seen a Cactus Buck? Here's What You Should Know

A cactus buck is a male deer, usually a whitetail or mule deer, that has abnormal antler growth patterns. These deer retain the velvet that covers the antlers and often develop a bumpy, misshapen antler structure that resembles a cactus.

This condition is most often caused by a hormonal imbalance, specifically a disruption in testosterone production, which is essential for antler development and shedding.

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Several factors can cause a buck to develop cactus antlers, including injuries to the testicles, which can disrupt testosterone production. If the testicles do not descend properly, they may not produce sufficient testosterone. Certain diseases can affect the blood supply to the buck's testicles, which can also impact the testosterone levels.

Local Hunter Spots Rare Cactus Buck In The Wild

That is a nasty cactus buck, and I couldn't imagine seeing a deer like this in the woods. I saw some smaller deer with signs of being a cactus buck on my trail cameras when I lived in Indiana, but I never saw them during hunting season. I haven’t seen one in Michigan yet, though they do exist..

If you like looking at big bucks, watch the video above of this cactus buck. He is a monster.

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If you see a buck during hunting season with a weird rack that is still in velvet, he's probably a cactus buck.

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