Piebald Deer - What are They?
By Buck Manager on Jul 17, 2007 in Deer Coloration
A piebald is an animal, usually a horse, that has a spotting pattern of large white and black patches. The colour of the horse’s skin underneath its coat may vary between black (under the black patches of hair) and pink (under the white patches). The colouring is generally asymmetrical. Many animals also exhibit coloration of the irises of the eye that match the surrounding skin. This condition also occurs in white-tailed deer.
A genetic variation (defect) produces the piebald condition in white-tailed deer, not parasites or diseases. Piebald deer are colored white and brown similar to a pinto pony. Sometimes they appear almost entirely white. In addition to this coloration, many have some of the following observable conditions: bowing of the nose (Roman nose), short legs, arching spine (scoliosis), and short lower jaws. This genetic condition is rare with typically less than one percent of white-tailed deer being affected.
Read article: Residents Fawning Over Rare Deer
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Most of the information about piebald deer state that this is a genetic defect and the animals are inferior. In this article they also say that often the color pattern is associated with several other physical abnormalities. It is more interesting that every picture (this page included) shows piebald deer with no physical problems. Both piebald and white are often dominant traits. While this was a gene mutation at some point, it being a dominant trait does not indicate inbreeding.
Dr Ray Favero, PhD | Feb 26, 2008 | Reply
I have been hunting whitetail deer for eighteen seasons now and never have seen a piebald until this evening.
It was beautiful to watch and I only wish I had a camera with me.
Rick | Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
I took my first piebald deer on November 1, 2008 at 5:00 pm. It will be one of my trophy bucks. A beautiful deer.
chad herring | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
This was a rainy wet afternoon and I finally out-smarted a piebald doe I that have been watching for over 2 years. I got her. She is beautiful. I took her to my taxidermist this evening. Can’t wait to get her full body mount back!
Leigh | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
I was hunting on opening day and saw a piebald deer and took it. When I brought it to get it recorded the guy told me I had a rare deer. It was not until later that I found out how rare it was. The deer is not all white, but the legs are solid white and it looks beautiful. I can’t wait for the mount.
Ben St.Amand | Nov 14, 2008 | Reply
My husband and I saw a Piebald deer tonight in Florida. It was the most beautiful 8 point buck I have ever seen. There didn’t seem to be any defects and we were able to get very close to it. Beautiful! Only wish I had my camera with me.
Rachel Rivenbark | Nov 20, 2008 | Reply
I saw and killed my first piebald deer on opening day of (WV) buck-only season, Monday, November 24, 2008. I had to take a second-look at the spike that was coming through the mountain laurel! Truly special, even if I never see another.
Michael | Nov 29, 2008 | Reply
My husband saw a deer tonight that we came to find out was a piebald deer. We never knew they exsisted. Where did you see the 8 pt in FL? He saw it tonight in Hillsborough County. He was just sure that no one would believe him until I pulled it up. So rare!
Joanna Rheinlander | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
I travel interstate 58 in VA almost every weekend. This weekend was memorable because I saw my first piebald deer just outside Suffolk, Virginia. It was a beautiful doe and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I just wished I had my camera as well.
BRENT JAKEWAY | Dec 1, 2008 | Reply
I saw my first piebald deer November 28, 2008. I was hunting in Noxubee Wildlife Refuge. I thought it was a goat at first, but once I looked through the scope I could tell it was a deer. The deer is an 8 point and will make a beautiful full body mount. I never thought I would see one, especially in Mississippi.
Toby Holland | Dec 3, 2008 | Reply