Paisley's Doe with an Antler...Still in Velvet!

Read on as Paisley tells the story of her very unique deer: a doe with an antler...still in velvet!

"I have been hunting deer for nearly my entire life, but I have never experienced anything quite like this. After a season of unsuccessful hunts, I concluded the final weekend of Alabama’s deer season with an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime harvest: a doe with an antler still in velvet.

We have been observing this doe through trail cameras for the past couple of years. The Wildlife Game Commission explained that such a trait could result from the mating of a mule deer and a white-tail; however, given the scarcity of mule deer in the area, it’s more likely a result of a testosterone imbalance.

Remarkably, I had never encountered her during my hunts until my hunt on 2/8/25. I settled into the deer stand around 2 p.m. The weather wasn’t ideal for hunting—it was windy and nearly 80 degrees—but since it was the last weekend, I was determined to go anyway. I ended up having much more luck than I anticipated.

I watched about 15 deer pass through, including several does and a small spike. Around 4, this particular doe appeared and walked right past my stand, just 30 feet away. I watched her for about 15 minutes before taking the shot. I immediately called my family to share and celebrate the news with. My husband didn’t believe me until he arrived to see it for himself. He was completely amazed by the harvest as was I.

It was an incredible experience, one that I will undoubtedly remember for the rest of my life."

Congratulations on this once in a lifetime experience, Paisley!