Don,

The normal antler shedding process doesn’t include bucks losing part of their skull. Bone loss with antlers usually is a symptom of a brain abscess. Brain abscesses are usually caused by an injury to the skull cap that allows bacteria to enter the brain cavity. These bacteria are very acidic and cause erosion of the skull bones. These weaker skull bones fracture and can remain attached to an antler. The loss of skull bones is never good!! However, it’s rarely known what happens to free-ranging bucks with this condition. There is some research that indicates such bucks probably don’t act normally and are much more susceptible to predation by two or four legged predators. However, it’s obviously a minor source of mortality as many herds maintain a large percentage of bucks into maturity if they are not harvested by hunters as immature bucks.

Growing Deer together,

Grant