I find it interesting and saddening that so many says it is genetics and that it should be culled! I say it is one of two things or a combination and then there is one other.
Looking at the rostrum it appears to me a mature elk. Can't see the pedicles but they look pretty big. Anyone think regresser! Now look at his body. It's is august he should be filled out a lot more. Nutrition? Internal perisites? Both of witch can affect horn growth. So it could be an old bull that is just not processing food correctly any more or and a little younger and is having some other issues that he may beat. Or he was not able to get good nutrition this spring. Several reasons for this to occur even in the best habitat. Think bull behavior and or the selfish herd theory. The third possibility I will let you guess at, Note it has been well documented in the literature and even discussed on this board.
So in short Genetics play such a minor role in antler development that it is seldom mentioned in scientific literature when discussing abnormalities.
