Previously http://www.pbase.com/hankvv/image/130614687), I posted images of The Boss Buck displaying some superficial injuries, most likely resulting from a fight with an other buck.

Presently I'm posting five images of an other 10 point, but much smaller buck with significant injuries. I assumed that these injuries resulted from a fight with The Boss. Others have suggested that the injuries to the body may have been caused by a bullet or an arrow passing right through the buck, just below his spine. In addition to the injuries to the body, one of the primary tines of the buck's right rack has also broken off. I suspect that this was also the result of a fight with The Boss; however, it could also have resulted from the rack getting tangled with branches during a hurried escape from poachers.???? Any comments from persons more experienced in these type of injuries are appreciated since I have never seen a gunshot or arrow wound passing through an animal.

PS. comments from several people and discussions with local sources suggest that in fact the body wound is indicative of an arrow passing through the Buck's body. Since the Buck resides in a large conservation area where no hunting is allowed, it is most likely poachers caused the wound.

Top Image: The buck appears quite apprehensive and scared. A large open wound can be seen just below the buck's spine near the middle of its right side. The buck is constantly licking this wound.


Close-up of the right-side wound.


Left-side wound , about the same height as the one on the right, but closer to its shoulder.


Close-up of the left-side wound. There appear to be some gouges which one might expect to be caused by the rack of an other buck. They are not too clear however and could simply be blood stains.


Head shot showing the missing/broken-off tine on its right rack.