Dead deer with no sign of injury

[TringSaint]

So, whilst away on my hols one of my landowners messaged me to say that he had found 3 cwd dead on his land, 2 in one location and a third elsewhere.

All of the deer were in good shape and had no external sign of injury. They were not emaciated and had no external sign of illness.

He didn’t open them up, however, and I don’t have pics.
I am going to do a reccy to see if I can spot any sick animals in those areas (rape just been taken off the land) but am also trying to work out what the cause of death might have been so as to give me some clues as to what to look for.

So I am parking bTB for now - the deer weren’t emaciated and we’re all seemingly ok looking
I am also parking dog attack and rta as all found some distance from road and no external injury.

This leaves:
Parasitic infestation - this summer the worm burden is bad in sheep and also fluke seems to be in the rise
Poisoning - these are recently cut rape fields
Infection such as pneumonia

Anyone got any other theories?
Thx

 

[shakey jake]

have you had a thunder storm? sadly my guess would be thermal and foxshooter, small cal chest shot wouldnt make a mess. unless you cut them open you wont know

 

[VSS]

I expect they just died. There's not always a sinister explanation.

 

[TringSaint]

I expect they just died. There's not always a sinister explanation.

Two were close together. If the 3 two were adults and one was a younger deer - don’t know if he meant fawn or just a yearling.

 

[TringSaint]

have you had a thunder storm? sadly my guess would be thermal and foxshooter, small cal chest shot wouldnt make a mess. unless you cut them open you wont know

No bullet wounds or external injuries.
No one else shoots on the land. So could be a poacher, but then why leave the carcass?

 

[VSS]

Two were close together. If the 3 two were adults and one was a younger deer - don’t know if he meant fawn or just a yearling.

CWD aren't very hardy. Mortality rates are quite high, and we've had poor weather this summer.

 

[shakey jake]

ive seen foxes shot that dont show any bullet wound. unless you can open them up i doubt you will get an idea. that they were close together is odd way to find dead things

 

[VSS]

. that they were close together is odd way to find dead things

Not after bad weather it isn't.

 

[TringSaint]

CWD aren't very hardy. Mortality rates are quite high, and we've had poor weather this summer.

What about rape intoxication? Likely or unlikely?

I have found very few dead cwd in my perms over 10 years. In the side of the road, yes, but not in fields.

Agree - weather has been poor. Our lambs are finding it tough!

 

[shakey jake]

Not after bad weather it isn't.

fair point, a good soaking and cold wind?

 

[VSS]

fair point, a good soaking and cold wind?

That's the sort of thing I was thinking of.

 

[slider]

Things die, such is the way of nature.

 

[FISH BOY]

fair point, a good soaking and cold wind?

It’s been 18 degrees min most days - CWD thrive in the cold.

My moneys on poachers - shot five fallow prickets last weekend averaging 40kgs dressed - all looked in good condition. When skinned, two had these in their necks.

 

[Bowland blades]

fair point, a good soaking and cold wind?

CWD are capable and have involved living in a lot colder temps than we get here in the UK- In wet swamp lands in their Chinese homeland? Dammed site colder!. Dense thick hollow hair that gets all over everywhere skinning or even just transporting.

 

[shakey jake]

CWD are capable and have involved living in a lot colder temps than we get here in the UK- In wet swamp lands in their Chinese homeland? Dammed site colder!. Dense thick hollow hair that gets all over everywhere skinning or even just transporting.

ive shot loads and would be suprised if they died of exposure in aug, i was responding to vss.
id still put money on an inexperienced shot thinking litter of cubs after harvest or a poacher getting spooked. unless they are properly examined it all just guess work

 

[Pete6.5]

It’s been 18 degrees min most days - CWD thrive in the cold.

My moneys on poachers - shot five fallow prickets last weekend averaging 40kgs dressed - all looked in good condition. When skinned, two had these in their necks.
View attachment 325067View attachment 325068

What calibre would you say?

 

[VSS]

Interesting article here about CWD mortality. They seem to die from the slightest excuse.
August is a peak time among some age categories, it would appear.
My money would be on something like pasteurella pneumonia triggered off by the very unpredictable weather we've been having this summer, and possibly exacerbated by some form of stress.

Water Deer Mortality - Non-predatory | Wildlife Online

A summary of the natural mortality sources experienced by Chinese water deer other than predation and parasites/disease.

www.wildlifeonline.me.uk

 

[FISH BOY]

What calibre would you say?

.22 copper.

Been reported.

 

[takbok]

.22 copper.

Been reported.

Yewtree bullets maybe? Were they both just in the neck muscle, or stopped by the spine? Quite surprising that they didn't do the job.

 

[jall55]

That's the sort of thing I was thinking of.

Its not cold though
I was out last night - wet to the bone - after a fox
For a good 4/5 hours but it was very warm