Anyone see this too?

here's some info on albino and pie-bald deer which are also around here every now and then...

we had a pair (male/female) pie balds about a mile away two years ago.. everyone had seen them but NO ONE has heard of them being harvested ????

It seems that every hunting season I receive a call from a hunter who has harvested an all-white albino deer. And every year I hear many of the same questions: What causes this condition?" "Are such deer legal to harvest?" "How common are they in a population?" "Can they reproduce?" Many hunters spend their entire hunting career without ever observing these unique deer. And although I have never seen an albino deer in the wild, within the last 15 years I've observed six piebald or partially white deer. Let's examine these two color mutations and discuss the management options wildlife agencies use to determine whether they're legal to harvest.

Albino Deer--The eyes of albino deer always appear pink. This occurs because their eyes lack any color or pigmentation pigmentation, name for the coloring matter found in certain plant and animal cells and for the color produced thereby. Pigmentation occurs in nearly all living organisms. . Thus, blood vessels can be seen through the iris. More often than not, this condition causes sight deficiencies. As a result, these deer generally might stick to dense forest cover. Albino deer also lack the gene for melanin melanin (mĕl`ənĭn), water-insoluble polymer of various compounds derived from the amino acid tyrosine. It is one of two pigments found in human skin and hair and adds brown to skin color; the other pigment is carotene, which contributes , which generates normal coloration. Records of albinism albinism

Absence of the pigment melanin in the eyes, skin, hair, scales, or feathers. It arises from a genetic defect and occurs in humans and other vertebrates. Because they lack the pigments that normally provide protective coloration and screen against the sun's for deer are extremely rare, but it is believed that albinism increases with inbreeding. One unpublished record indicated that one in 30,000 deer are albinos. However, wildlife agencies do not generally record coloration data, and I think the unpublished report I mention may be a bit too conservative.


Piebald Deer--Piebald is the term given to deer that are brown and white in color, similar to a pinto pony. Unlike albinos, which do not produce any pigment, some of the cells in piebald deer produce a color pigment called melanin. Although rare, piebald deer possess a recessive trait that is more prevalent in overpopulated deer herds. This genetic condition typically occurs in less than 1 percent of the population. In the field, hunters are far more likely to see piebald deer than albinos. Exceptions do occur, but just like albinos, most piebalds are short-lived and usually have physical abnormalities such as short lower jawbones, roman noses, short legs, deformed hooves, and an arching spine.

It's important to note that some normal-colored whitetails carry the recessive gene for albinism or the piebald coloration. If a normal-colored deer with a recessive gene breeds with a piebald deer, the end result will probably be a piebald fawn. However, very few normal-colored deer possess this recessive gene (piebald). Limited research indicates that two piebald or albino deer can produce offspring. But again, long-shot odds that two recessive genes will come together is what makes these unique deer so rare.

Never saw an albino outside a fence.

There was 3 albino's mom and two kids always right off the road in cranberry every day. @ Myona and peters road. It's been a couple years since I have seen them there. The last time I seen one of them was the mom and she had a very bad limp. So not really sure happen ?????? BESAFEANDGOODLUCK

Interesting stories.  Well keep your eyes peeled for this one off 79 and let me know if you spot him/her.

This was not my first albino.  Quite a few years ago, 10-12 probably, there was an albino 6 pt who frequented a field near home in the winter.  When there wasn't any snow, you could see him in the field without lights.  Not sure what happened to him.

I've heard all the sayings and superstitions about killing an albino.  Everything from never getting another buck for the rest of your life to your camp burning down.  I personally wouldn't take an albino doe.  Piebald probably a different story.  And I won't pass on any buck that is a shooter to me.

I shot a piebald doe a few years ago, it had blue eyes & clear hooves. Made a beautiful pelt when tanned. I USED to laugh at the bad luck tales until I shot that doe. I have had so many physical probs. since then I am starting to wonder now. sam

ORIGINAL: Claypool313

Interesting stories.  Well keep your eyes peeled for this one off 79 and let me know if you spot him/her.

This was not my first albino.  Quite a few years ago, 10-12 probably, there was an albino 6 pt who frequented a field near home in the winter.  When there wasn't any snow, you could see him in the field without lights.  Not sure what happened to him.

I've heard all the sayings and superstitions about killing an albino.  Everything from never getting another buck for the rest of your life to your camp burning down.  I personally wouldn't take an albino doe.  Piebald probably a different story.  And I won't pass on any buck that is a shooter to me.

Saw a piebald in Albany County NY years ago during buck season. Try as I might I couldnt grow horns on that button while I watched.
  Saw a pure white albino while still hunting with the bow a year or two later here in Connecticut. Took me by surprise at a few feet in the thick Mountain Laurel,  thought it was a goat from a nearby farm. It just stood there quartering away from me. Didnt even know I existed. Woulda been a nice shot at about 10 yards. When it flipped its tail and jumped off I realized my error. Might not have been legal anyway since it was white-never did look that up. Heard it got hit by a car.
  Never saw another for 20 years till last year, saw a doe with 2 piebald fawns over by the state line near Danbury in the Summer. The piebalds are really neat looking animals.

We had a ablino doe on our farm a few years ago, only saw it that one year and never got a shot at it. Never say or heard about it after that season.
I'd throw lead at any legal albino I saw, you superstitous guys are nuts, no truth to that.  

  Anybody seen any in Ct