Piebald deer are highly desired by hunters and wildlife enthusiasts due to their unique coloration. If you’ve come across one on your land, you may be wondering what is a piebald deer worth?

If you don’t want to read the full details, here’s the quick answer: A piebald deer can be worth anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, depending largely on the rarity of its color pattern and how desirable it is to collectors or hunting preserves.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to determine your piebald deer’s value, including typical pricing ranges, factors that impact value, and tips for getting top dollar.

What are Piebald Deer?

Piebald deer, also known as pied deer, are a rare genetic variant of white-tailed deer characterized by a distinctive patchy coat pattern of white and brown fur. They get their name from the irregular patches of white that cover their bodies, making them look “piebald” or “pied”.

This unique coloration is caused by a genetic condition called leucism, which results in a partial loss of pigmentation in the deer’s hair and skin.

While piebald deer occur very infrequently in the wild, they have become popular on deer farms and hunting ranches due to their striking appearance. Some estimates suggest that piebald deer make up less than 1% of the total white-tailed deer population.

Though rare, they have been spotted in the wild in states including Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.

Here are some key facts about these fascinating deer:

  • Their irregular white patches can cover as little as 10% or as much as 90% of their body.
  • No two piebald deer have the exact same patterning – each one is completely unique.
  • Both bucks (males) and does (females) can be piebald.
  • Piebaldism is thought to be caused by a recessive genetic mutation.
  • Piebald deer are not albino deer – albinism results in a complete lack of pigment while piebald deer have patches of normal pigmentation.
  • While striking, the piebald coat does not appear to affect the deer’s health or lifespans if they lack the albinism gene.
  • Piebald deer can still change color seasonally, though their white patches remain constant year-round.

While some rumors exist that piebald deer are sterile hybrids or easier for predators to spot, neither appears true. They seem capable of living long healthy lives in the wild like any other deer. The rarity of their genetic mutation is the only thing limiting their numbers in nature.

However, many ethical debates surround hunting ranches purposefully breeding piebald deer and other color morphs for novelty trophies. Overall though, the occasional piebald deer remains a fascinating genetic quirk, showcasing nature’s diversity.

So next time you’re out in the woods or field, keep an eye out for these remarkable patchwork deer! With their distinctive coats, they’re a true wildlife wonder.

What Impacts a Piebald Deer’s Value?

Rarity of Color Pattern

The main factor that impacts the value of a piebald deer is the rarity and uniqueness of its color pattern. Piebaldism is a genetic mutation that causes white spotting on a deer’s coat. No two piebald deer have the exact same pattern, making each one distinctive.

The rarer the color pattern, usually meaning more white coverage, the more valuable the deer will be to hunters and collectors. A deer that is almost completely white could be worth thousands of dollars, while one with just a few small white spots would be worth much less.

Size and Age of the Deer

A piebald deer’s size and age also play a role in determining its worth. A large, mature buck with an impressive set of antlers and a rare color pattern would fetch a higher price than a younger doe with small antlers and less white spotting.

The older and bigger the deer, the more impressive it is as a trophy. An adult piebald buck that scores high on antler measurements could be valued at over $10,000 in some cases.

Quality of the Antlers

For trophy hunters interested in mounting a piebald deer, the quality and size of its antlers factors greatly into the animal’s worth. Bucks grow larger racks as they mature, with the largest antlers grown in the prime years between 4-6 years of age.

The number of points, spread, and symmetry of the antlers influence the Boone and Crockett score. A high antler score, combined with rare piebald coloring, exponentially increases the deer’s value as a trophy.

Even if the piebald coloring is minimal, a buck with a high-scoring rack will still be valuable.

Overall Health Condition

The overall health and physical condition of a piebald deer also contributes to its monetary value. Collectors want animals that are in peak shape with vibrant, sleek coats and muscular bodies. Signs of disease, injuries, or malnourishment will detract from a deer’s worth, even if it has rare coloration.

Healthy deer suggest good genetics, which buyers will pay top dollar for. Evaluating body fat, muscle tone, coat condition, and teeth can reveal a lot about a piebald deer’s health.

Typical Pricing for Piebald Deer

Piebald deer, also known as white-tailed deer with a genetic condition called leucism, have become increasingly popular and valuable in the captive deer industry over the past decade. Here’s a look at some of the factors that influence piebald deer pricing and what these unique animals typically sell for.

Supply and Demand

Like any commodity, the price of piebald deer is largely dictated by basic supply and demand economics. Piebald deer are rare genetic mutations of the common white-tailed deer. Only about 1 in every 20,000 deer in the wild are born piebald.

This scarcity means piebald breeders can charge top dollar for their deer.

At the same time, selective breeding practices over the past 10-15 years have increased the piebald deer population. This has helped meet growing collector demand, slightly bringing down prices from their peak in the early 2010s.

But overall, piebalds remain a hot commodity in the deer breeding industry.

Genetics and Characteristics

A piebald deer’s specific genetic makeup significantly affects its value. Deer with more white and less brown coloring generally sell for higher prices. Solid white piebalds with brown only on their ears and head are the most coveted.

The fewer brown spots a piebald has, the higher quality it is considered.

Other factors like antler size, confirmation, and bloodlines also impact pricing. For example, a heavily-spotted piebald from average antler genetics may sell for $5,000. But a pure white piebald from proven trophy antler bloodlines can fetch $50,000 or more.

Age and Gender

A piebald deer’s age and sex also affect its price. In general, young weanling piebald does sell for $5,000 to $10,000. Older bred does typically range from $10,000 to $35,000 depending on genetics. Young piebald bucks usually sell for $10,000 to $25,000.

Proven mature piebald bucks with good antlers can sell for anywhere from $30,000 to $150,000. The highest price ever paid for a piebald buck was $200,000 in 2012 for a rare 3-year-old pure white deer named Stickers.

Average Prices

Given all these factors, today’s average prices for piebald deer are:

  • Weanling does: $5,000 – $10,000
  • Bred does: $10,000 – $35,000
  • Young bucks: $10,000 – $25,000
  • Mature bucks: $30,000 – $150,000

Of course, exceptional genetic specimens can still fetch higher prices from collectors and breeders. But in general, these ranges reflect current piebald deer values based on age, sex, and physical traits.

How to Get Top Dollar for Your Piebald Deer

Market to Hunting Preserves and Breeders

Connecting with hunting preserves and breeders can be the best way to maximize your return when selling a valuable piebald deer specimen. These buyers are willing to pay top dollar for rare color-phase deer to introduce into their breeding stock or managed hunts.

According to information from the Forest Preserve Network, piebald deer can fetch up to $10,000 or more at hunting preserves compared to road-killed non-trophy deer that may sell for a few hundred dollars.

Sell Mounted Specimens to Taxidermists and Collectors

Mounted specimens, either a shoulder mount, skull plate, or full body mount, can also generate significant revenue from taxidermists, collectors, and specialty retailers. A 2019 analysis reported an average price of $7,500 for a mounted piebald buck on hunting shopping sites.

Utilizing online marketplaces like Taxidermy.net and attending regional taxidermy trade shows are effective ways to reach this niche group of buyers. Be sure to take high-quality photographs to showcase your specimen to potential buyers.

Hold an Auction

For landowners or hunting clubs that harvest multiple trophy-class animals each season, consider pooling your most valuable specimens for a dedicated live or online auction. This will reach the widest possible buyer pool and encourage bidding momentum and increased prices for your piebald deer.

In 2021, the average auction price for a hunter-harvested piebald buck was $4,900. However, more unique specimens or breeding pairs have fetched bids over $20,000 at some specialty auctions, such as the Backwoods Trophy Deer Auction.

Carefully select reputable auction houses and allow several months lead time for successful buyer outreach and marketing efforts.

Conclusion

Piebald deer are truly one-of-a-kind trophies that can command premium prices, especially from serious hunters, breeders, and collectors. By understanding what impacts their value and marketing them strategically to the right buyers, you can maximize your return on these rare finds.

Similar Posts