Thread: Any idea what this deer malady or disease is?

Hi, I shot this stag (spiker)? yesterday and when removing the back straps noticed holes in the meat. Wide, shallow ones and some narrow, deep ones, deeper than my finger.

Also interesting was the antler growth: single, fairly long and thin, pointing in different directions.

Any idea as to the ailment? Animal age (young or just diseased)?

My only thought is that it could be some kind of fly blow, as I was hunting in the hills above a sheep farm. The animal was in otherwise good shape, back legs looked fine, no holes. After giving the dog her fill, I left the rest, hoping I might get on to another, and I didn’t want to carry bad meat for 3 hours back to the truck.

Thanks