I Want to Know About Animal Behavior

[bassin_bug]

This is NOT a question for the Hunting Discussion board. It is not about hunting.

I want to know about deer behavior at this time of year. We have a herd of 9 deer that hang around our yard in the early morning and late evening. There are 2 adult bucks, 6 does, and 1 yearling (probably from last year). They ignore us for the most part but the yearling tries to get my cat to come and play and the cat acts like he knows him. Mama deer always has to nudge him to make him come along with the rest of the herd although he is half grown.

For the past week or so we have not see the does but the bucks are acting like bachelors. We have 2 apple trees, one on each side of the back yard and the "boys" have started sleeping under the tree in the corner. First thing they do when they get up is water the grass and then gorge themselves on apples. They are so big they look elk. They have huge horns and are at least 12-point picture perfect racks. We were sitting on the back deck late Tuesday afternoon and they walked across the yard about 20 feet from us and completely ignored us.

My question is if anyone knows why the bucks are acting like this and are not with the rest of the herd at this time of year. I thought the dominant one had his own harem or is that just during the rut? Is this odd behavior or just a couple of hungry "boys" who enjoy feasting on apples?

[Tim_T]

That is typical behavior for this time of year, where the bucks will hang in bachelor groups awa from the does and young uns. Also, the dominant buck in an area does not have a harem. Elk will do that but not whitetails. The dominant buck will not neccessarily get a chance to breed all of the does in his area.

Around here, in Late October, early Novemeber is when the bachelor groups break up and then it is every buck for himself as the rut approaches. I think this takes in December and January where you are.

[bassin_bug]

Thanks, now I understand. I just assumed bucks had a harem because many times I have seen only one buck with several does come into oat patches during hunting season. The does always come out first to start grazing and then the buck comes sneaking out. My husband says he is a wuss and is sending the does out to take a bullet for him. lol

[mhall]

Bug, Tim nailed it. Bucks actually prefer to run together for protection and usually run in groups of two to four, sometimes more but that is rare. The older more dominent bucks will sometimes pair up just the two of them. Once their testostarone (spelling) begins to raise in preparation of the rut or breeding season they become increasingly less tolerant of each other and will become reclusive and be to themselves. As the rut gets into full swing they actually hate each other as they view each other as bitter rivals for available Doe's in estrus.

Your husband has a point to, studies have shown that mature whitetail bucks will group at times with family groups of Doe's and immature bucks to use as shelter. Many times I've seen good bucks hang back in the brush or fencerow and wait till all they are with ahve entered the field to feed with no danger, than and only then will they sneak out and that is usually at dusk in the evening and in the morning they are one of the first to leave the field. They didn't get big being stupid.