http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...Gloucestershire.html
Always interesting to see albinos.Certainly easy to start myths when they are seen.
I wouldn't take it .

Stag?

Down here we have white Fallow at a ratio of about 1-10.

Some of the Bucks are the finest looking beasts you have ever seen.

But 'mythical & rare' - no, not really!

Rgds

Ian

I agree, that appears to be a young white fallow buck, not very rare.

+1

Nothing unusual about a white Fallow Buck.
White Stags also not too uncommon. I have 6 or so here on the Game Estate.
In both species the white colour phase is not albino.

I don't think they've ever been that uncommon.
The number of Pubs called "The White Hart" is quite surprising.
I have heard it said that its unlucky to shoot one.
I've also heard them called "Judas Bucks" because they give away the location of their drabber brethren.
So, I suppose it is unlucky because, once you've shot one, you'll have trouble finding the others

yep White Fallow are as rare as hens teeth in these parts

white fallow buck





Maybe when that one grows up, it will change into a stag
now that would be a magical story

In my part of the world, West Virginia mountains, a white deer, buck or doe, is most unusual, but does occur. Not uncommon to see those with white blotches/patches and for some reason they are referred to as "pie balls??" When an albino or very near all white deer is killed, many believe they should not be eaten but would imagine that is just folk lore. Your white stags are fine looking animals.

martin

Greetings, Mete-

Thanks for sharing the interesting story of the White stag.

On the other topic:

A quick Google search for "Piebald deer frequency occurrence" found lots of info and pix:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer: Piebald Deer

A piebald deer is a deer with a brown and white spotting pattern which is not caused by parasites or diseases. They can appear to be almost entirely white. In addition to the non-standard coloration, other differences have been observed: bowing or Roman nose, overly arched spine (scoliosis), long tails, short legs, and underbites.

http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/HISTORY/WHITEDR.HTM

Piebald deer (partially white) are from a recessive genetic trait and the deer usually become more prevalent due to overpopulation of a deer herd. Some piebald deer were observed in a study conducted by the Southeastern Wildlife Disease Center in the 1960s and many have been seen in subsequent years. Although Patuxent staff has never recorded what is considered an albino deer (all white with pink eyes) there have been several deer that have over 90 % white pelage. Most white deer are short-lived and usually have abnormalities, such as deformed feet.

http://www.buckmanager.com/200...-deer-what-are-they/

http://wvsportsman.net/smf/index.php?topic=3082

http://www.northamericanwhitet..._aa022003/index.html

http://wildlifeofnorthamerica....rP-304/WtDrP-304.htm

http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/apmwd.htm

Hawkeye
you learn something new every day
i just hav
thanks for those links
here in the UK the Fallow deer which is in the original article are quite common and come in a variety of colours, white being one of those
but unlike what you hav posted the only problem they hav from being white is they are easier to detect
many thanks you for your post

I agree - they're fairly common in the New Forest too. Some people shoot them on sight as they 'attract' poachers but I like to leave them as a judas for the rest of the herd. Also they are just plain nice to look at.

Hawkey Mountaineer,
Thank you very much for the most informative articles regading those unusual white/spotted/deer. I have only seen one personally and it was quite a large buck. Thanks,

martin

Greetings Gents-

One of my favorite things about AR is hearing about interesting game available on various continents.

Thanks for chiming in from New Zealand and the UK.

Unfortunately, the only thing I had time to 'bag' on our three-week Honeymoon in Europe in Nov. 1989 was a pair of theatre tickets.

We had enjoyable visits in four countries by Eurail. When in Rome... we were confronted with the choice to make a long haul to witness some of the Berlin Wall coming down [my choice] or take in a performance of Les Miserables at The Palace Theatre in London.

The lovely bride won her first marital debate.

Dubbed "The White Hart" or not... more time in the Pubs would be nice next time.

Hawkeye Mountaineer


PS While "Judas Bucks" do not seem to be rare for those in the UK and New Zealand, I understand that Piebalds are somewhat infrequent Stateside.

I've only seen one in the wild, and it's hide hangs in my man cave.

I've heard numbers ranging from 1-in-350,000 to certainly < 1% ... with the occurrence being more frequent where there is overpopulation.

If any of you know of more accurate statistics on Piebalds / Albinos / White Stags, etc... I would be curious to know further details.


Per mete's original article... these fellas are certainly provocative!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new...Gloucestershire.html

"... According to the Scots legend, in 1128, David I, King of Scotland decided to go hunting on the Feast Day of the Holy Rood, against the wishes of his priest. While hunting he saw a huge white stag, or "hart", and while giving chase he was thrown from his horse.
The white hart charged forward to kill him, so David - son of Malcolm Canmore and St Margaret - called on God to save him. As the king grasped the hart's antlers, they miraculously turned in to a large cross, and the beast raised its head and vanished. Inspired by his vision, King David built a shrine to the Holy Rood - meaning Holy Cross - on the spot where the miracle occurred.
The ruin of Holyrood Abbey can still be seen today, at the foot of the Royal Mile next to Holyrood Palace. The White Hart Inn in Edinburgh's grassmarket, reputedly the oldest pub in the capital, took its name from the legend.
The Celts considered white stags to be messengers from the "other world" and their appearance was said to herald some profound change in the lives of those who encountered them.
In the Chronicles of Narnia, the White Stag is fabled to grant wishes to whoever catches him. And in the Arthurian legend, the white stag is the creature that can never be caught. King Arthur's repeatedly unsuccessful pursuit of the white stag represents mankind's quest for spiritual knowledge.
In Christianity a white stag was said to be instrumental in the conversion of the martyr Saint Eustace after he saw a vision of the animal that told him he would suffer for Christ."


Myths and legends aside... may you and yours be blessed with Peace and Joy during this Advent Season.

Here in NY state, the Seneca Army Depot has long been known for it's white deer now numbering hundreds due to intentionally attempting to multiply them.
www.senecawhitedeer.org

just found another pic i took this year,


got a few more somewhere just need to find them

Wow... I'll bet the herd of nearly 200 white deer at the Seneca Army Depot would be a sight to see!

Nice rack above, too.

quote:

Originally posted by IanF:
Stag?

Down here we have white Fallow at a ratio of about 1-10.

Some of the Bucks are the finest looking beasts you have ever seen.

But 'mythical & rare' - no, not really!

Rgds

Ian

I can vouch for that, I had the pleasure of stalking with Ian, November just gone, I was astonished at the numbers & diversities on the grounds in Devon, particularly white deer.