From time to time, I will get a picture of an old gnarly, lumpy doe that I just know has to be a very old deer. Unfortunately there's just no way to prove it or track them from year to year. This old doe is the exception. She is blind in her right eye, from an injury, and I believe she may have been shot with an arrow about (or exactly) the same time. I believe a 2" 2-blade from a hunting partner brushed her eye and buried in her right shoulder
Here she is in 2012 shortly after sustaining the eye injury. She was good sized then, most likely 3 1/2 years old or older. She has a 2" wide scar on her right shoulder, which happens to line up with a large mark across her eye. It's not the best picture to show it, but you can see she is in poor condition. She is actually quite thin.
Here she is in 2013. She recovered well, and filled out nicely. All except for that eye. Big old girl.
2014 - not the best pic, but the only one I got
2015 - again not the best pic, but she looks like she's thinning out.
2016 - No pic
2017 - Here she is again, a good pic showing that she is well past her prime
I believe she is now 8 1/2+ years old. She has lived her entire life in an area with a very high coyote population, and quite a bit of hunting pressure. I tried to kill her for several years, but she never showed herself. I think if I see her now, I'll just tip my hat.
Here she is in 2012 shortly after sustaining the eye injury. She was good sized then, most likely 3 1/2 years old or older. She has a 2" wide scar on her right shoulder, which happens to line up with a large mark across her eye. It's not the best picture to show it, but you can see she is in poor condition. She is actually quite thin.
Here she is in 2013. She recovered well, and filled out nicely. All except for that eye. Big old girl.
2014 - not the best pic, but the only one I got
2015 - again not the best pic, but she looks like she's thinning out.
2016 - No pic
2017 - Here she is again, a good pic showing that she is well past her prime
I believe she is now 8 1/2+ years old. She has lived her entire life in an area with a very high coyote population, and quite a bit of hunting pressure. I tried to kill her for several years, but she never showed herself. I think if I see her now, I'll just tip my hat.