Weird animal fin/tail/flipper HELP

[Detector mom]

Okay, this is driving my friends and I nuts. Found in dried up stream in northern NJ. Lots of wildlife in the area; thought it might be a beaver tail, but it isn't shaped right. Very old; bony cartilage, almost like leather...

thanks!

 

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[Red-Coat]

It's a scapula (shoulder blade). I would guess from a deer. This is from a white-tail:

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

My first thought was a whitetail deer scapula as well.

I spend a lot of time and concern on defeating them with a broadhead from my recurve bows if I strike a bit too high.

 

[Trezurehunter]

I agree with Red-Coat and Charlie P. As a deer hunter of over 35 years, I have seen a lot of those (because I butcher my own deer).