Headgear Says Buck, Everything Else Says Doe

Brian Woodard Jr. with his buck-doe, which likely is a hermaphrodite with both ovaries and testes.
Brian Woodard Jr. with his buck-doe, which likely is a hermaphrodite with both ovaries and testes.

Check out this crazy 8-pointer that Brian Woodard Jr. arrowed recently. The headgear says “buck” but other appearances said “doe.” What’s the true story? Well, as noted many times in Deer & Deer Hunting, it is most likely a hermaphrodite (both a buck AND doe!).

True hermaphrodites have both ovaries and testes, but possess male or female external organs. This is key, and the very reason why so many folks believe they’ve shot an “antlered doe” when they see female reproductive organs on an antlered deer. A layman cannot distinguish the difference, especially after the animal has been field-dressed. There is also the possibility that this deer is a pseudohermaphrodite (called cryptorchid males; common in dogs) with abdominal (internal) rudimentary testes and no recognizable ovaries.

Whatever the case, this whitetail is a sight to behold. The hunter should feel like he won the lottery in getting the opportunity to take this trophy home. — Dan Schmidt, D&DH

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