It’s not unusual to see two or more bucks together in the spring and summer. Some believe this occurs because they feel safer in numbers from predators such as wolves here in the Northwoods. The bucks that hang together in the summer are all different ages and not related to one another. Later in the summer you might see bucks sparing, but that is normal. To me, this sparing means a few things. When you see bucks sparing, they’re just practicing their fighting skills, establishing dominance in the area and preparing for rut.

Whatever the reason, I’ve seen two big bucks (insert) on my trail camera hanging out together on a daily basis most of the summer. In early October, I saw the two big boys started sparring (also inserted), but this is like two brothers wrestling and no one gets hurt. Does this mean during rut, instead of sparing fights can happen? Yes, they can.

These two bucks still show up on my camera, but they’re not together as I’m capturing them at different times of the night. This tells me rut has already starting because their testosterone levels are getting high and these two buddies are now less tolerant of each other.

As far as rut, it’s not too complicated to explain as some people might think. Boy deer are looking for girl deer to make little deer, but timing is everything. How easy was that?  So, when does rut actually start? When you see more people wearing all camo at local watering holes every day and flashes of orange in the woods. Ok, seriously, weather can influence the timing of rut, but this usually starts late October to mid-November. Knowing and learning the signs of rut has been helping hunters locate deer for decades.

At the beginning of rut, you will notice the velvet is finally off the buck’s antlers and fresh scrapes (markings) on the ground and trees. These scrapes are kind of a communication between bucks and does and these areas will be visited frequently. Then as rut nears you will notice more movement during the day light hours as bucks will travel to find a receptive doe.

Even though a buck may be persistent, does are not willing until they come into heat (estrus phase of a does reproductive cycle) and are eager to mate with the buck. This mating period typically only last 2 or 3 days, but after copulation is complete and the does scent declines, bucks will move on until he finds another doe that is ready to cooperate. Then there could be what I call a late rut. There could be a secondary breeding cycle if there are younger does coming into heat.

Once rut is over, bucks shift their priorities to rest and know winter is on the way and need to build up their fat reserves and want to eat.

With testosterone levels lower once again and their behavior returns to normal hopefully, I’ll start seeing the two buddies back together on my camera.

WE DON’T WANT TO DAMAGE OUR VEHICLES OR KILL DEER, SO PLEASE BE VIGILANT DURING THE NEXT 3 OR 4 WEEKS AS THEY WILL BE VERY ACTIVE DURING THIS TIME.