Albino deer?

[Guest GunTroll]

I have got to ask........what is the deal with albino deer? I have been looking up the regs for your state before I move there so I can be informed prior to the hunt. Are they common? And why would anyone care if you shot one? Sounds like a lib/Bambi lover law to me. Albino deer:screwy:!! Are you guys trying to breed these things so the numbers will get high??? Got to ask. Just seems weird!

[Guest MCRAIG]

I have never seen an albino deer and I have been in the woods a long time. They don't want you to shoot them because they are rare. Their life expectancy is already cut in half because they are albino. I am also not sure if the Albino can reproduce. And if they did they offspring would be normal unless paired with another albino allele which is very rare in nature...but not impossible.

[ShaunM]

I asked a Game Warden one time why it was illegal to kill an albino deer and he told me because it will help increase their numbers. He said that there are not a lot of albino deer and if we started harvesting them there wouldn't be any left and the gene would not be carried on over time. I never really looked more into it should though.

[Guest redbarron06]

albino deer: Hunting, trapping or possessionof albino deer is prohibited as set forth in TCA 70-4-130. An albino deer is a deer with a lack, or significant deficiency, of pigment in the skin and hair, and has pink eyes.

Look into thier eyes. If they are brown they are going down.

[nightrunner]

why do they want albino deer? albinism is considered a mutation, and quite rare compared to the normal population.

[ShaunM]

why do they want albino deer? albinism is considered a mutation, and quite rare compared to the normal population.

Good question, I have no idea! Maybe someone on here can answer that, I am also curious.

[TripleDigitRide]

They are rare. I'm guessing that's why it's prohibited.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - Deer Hunting Seasons

Hunting, trapping, or possession of albino deer is prohibited as set forth in TCA Chapter 70-4-130. An albino deer is a deer with a lack, or significant deficiency, of pigment in the skin and hair, and has pink eyes.

Edited July 7, 2009 by TripleDigitRide

[ShaunM]

Illegal or legal states.

Southeastern Outdoors - Is Hunting Albino Deer Illegal?

[ShaunM]

They are rare. I'm guessing that's why it's prohibited.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - Deer Hunting Seasons

Hunting, trapping, or possession of albino deer is prohibited as set forth in TCA Chapter 70-4-130. An albino deer is a deer with a lack, or significant deficiency, of pigment in the skin and hair, and has pink eyes.

They could give a better explaination of why.

[Guest clsutton21]

They could give a better explaination of why.

Maybe because they are too easy of targets.

[ShaunM]

Maybe because they are too easy of targets.

LOL!

[Guest GunTroll]

If its illegal then its illegal and I won't shot one. Just think how great that pigmented challenged 10 point would look on the wall though! I agree the explanation of why....is not answered in the regs or anything I can get on the net out of TN wildlife agency. So so far no one has ever seen one who has answered this thread. Know of anyone who has? I don't believe they exists until proven otherwise! I haven't seen albino mule deer, or buffalo out here. Elk either for that matter.

[Guest redbarron06]

I dont know about the why part but you can find the reference in the hunting handbook off of TWRAs site.

[Guest GunTroll]

Not trying to getting on you but that is were this topic came from. And my original post clarified that.

[Guest Muttling]

The law is just stupid. If we had natural predators like mother nature intended, albino's would be on the short list. I propose that this is the reason why albino's are rare to this day.

I'm not for breeding the arian race of white tails, but some genetic traits don't need to be protected and the traits of albino's (not just the pigment issue) is one of them.

On a confirmation note, we've got one in Lewisburg right now. His turf is about 2 miles from where I live and it's not THAT uncommon to see him on the side of the road. This said, he's the only albino I've ever seen and I've been hunting Tenneessee white tails since the early 1970's (back when you were lucky if you even saw a deer during season or a turkey any time of the year.)

[xd shooter]

I don't know if the law is all that stupid. I have seen 3 "albino" or at least White deer within a 10 mile radious of each other. Call me crazy but it looks like they may be able to reproduce, or the gene is strong there.

Before you say it was 1 buck, 1 doe , & 1 that would have been nice & tasty:D

so it was not the same one!

[Guest GunTroll]

Bambi lover law I'm guessing !

[1908_Cubbies]

I have seen 3 "albino" or at least White deer within a 10 mile radious of each other. Call me crazy but it looks like they may be able to reproduce, or the gene is strong there.

I am right there with you! I see one off of Cox Rd almost every morning and have seen a few others in the general area around the Rutherford/Williamson county lines. They really stick out.

[DaveS]

One of the nicest looking 10 point bucks I've ever seen was albino and lived in a patch of woods near the welcome center at LBL. He was absolutely beautiful to look at. He was protected, but several years ago he fell to a poachers gun. I can only imagine he was protected for his beauty. Not sure though.

[xd shooter]

I am right there with you! I see one off of Cox Rd almost every morning and have seen a few others in the general area around the Rutherford/Williamson county lines. They really stick out.

Where are you working at?? That's the same ones that I see.

One on Cox Rd.

One across the rd. from Arrington market

One between Kirkland & Triune.

[Eric]

[Guest Jcochran88]

Am I correct that it must be all white/albino not just half like pibald? I have seen several of the pibald ones near bucksnort.

[TripleDigitRide]

Am I correct that it must be all white/albino not just half like pibald? I have seen several of the pibald ones near bucksnort.

Correct. Piebald are legal to hunt in TN.

[Guest GunTroll]

So it does exists! TN is weird! Never seen one in SC,GA,MO. That's the only places I lived in yall's region. That thing is beautiful!

[memphismason]

I would love to see one in the wild. Beautiful freaks of nature