Ask The Biologist

Hair Club Bucks

Hair Club Bucks

By Bob Humphrey

We wonder if there’s a market for Rogaine for whitetails.

QUESTION: Last fall, I noticed a couple bucks with bare spots on their back or rump. I have seen this before and was wondering what might cause it. — Ron C.

ANSWER: There are several plausible explanations. Bare spots can be caused by repeatedly going under or through wire fences. I have observed deer with bare patches, usually on the withers and rump, in areas of abundant fencing.

Another possible explanation is from rubbing with antlers or hooves, which also often occurs on the shoulders, and might be in response to irritants like ticks.

Or, it could be the result of diseases, like mange. Random, asymmetrical bare spots could also result from an array of things like fighting, vehicle collisions, predator attacks and who knows what else.

— Recent Ask the Biologist Question:

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