Antler Damage

[Enigma41a]

Good evening.. opinions sought please The photo of the buck with blue and red arrow.. taken 4 weeks ago in an area fairly isolated from humans. Antlers still growing and yet his left brow tine completely gone.
The other bigger, more mature buck with one antler.. taken same location in January. I'd seen him frequently upto day photos taken. He was in prime condition with both antlers. Suddenly, overnight one gone.. including coronet. Nothing left. No visible injuries whatsoever. Took the photos, he disappeared. Never saw him again after that day. He was habitually with the same group of bucks and prickets. Two bucks, 7 months apart with antler damage too dramatic for anything about on this land. Could they have been shot at... or is that a ridiculous wondering? Grateful thanks for opinions/experiences of same scenario

 

[VSS]

All manner of possibilities!
Bucks are generally very careful of their antlers while in velvet (as per your 2nd photo), so not so likely to get knocked or tangled in anything. Having said that, a small amount of damage during this period can escalate due to flies pestering. Enough to lose a tine.
The buck in your first photo could have had that antler smashed off while fighting during the rut, for example. Although that doesn't tally with the time of year you took the pic, it is an example of the sort of thing that can happen.

It is easy to jump to the conclusion that they may have been shot at, but there are far more probable natural causes.

 

[Enigma41a]

All manner of possibilities!
Bucks are generally very careful of their antlers while in velvet (as per your 2nd photo), so not so likely to get knocked or tangled in anything. Having said that, a small amount of damage during this period can escalate due to flies pestering. Enough to lose a tine.
The buck in your first photo could have had that antler smashed off while fighting during the rut.

It is easy to jump to the conclusion that they may have been shot at, but there are far more probable natural causes.

The bigger boy didn't lose his antler in the rut.. he kept it throughout right upto mid Jan. I was seeing almost daily. I saw him on the Weds totally intact.. on the Thurs..he was like this.. then never to be seen again. There were suspicions at the time, not just from me but had to let it go. Puzzled over it on and off ever since.. and then the younger buck spotted with his brow tine totally gone with no damage whatsoever to surrounding velvet or his head. Just seems odd and is bothering me so thought I'd put it out there and see if it's just me in particular .. but one or two others.. overthinking Grateful for your input.. thank you

 

[VSS]

The bigger boy didn't lose his antler in the rut.. he kept it throughout right upto mid Jan.

I edited my post to make my point a bit clearer.

I was seeing almost daily. I saw him on the Weds totally intact.. on the Thurs..he was like this.. then never to be seen again. There were suspicions at the time, not just from me but had to let it go. Puzzled over it on and off ever since.. and then the younger buck spotted with his brow tine totally gone with no damage whatsoever to surrounding velvet or his head. Just seems odd and is bothering me so thought I'd put it out there and see if it's just me in particular .. but one or two others.. overthinking Grateful for your input.. thank you

Probably overthinking. It's easily done!