How mature bucks rut

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magicman54494
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How mature bucks rut

Unread postby magicman54494 » Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:06 pm

First off I don't believe that mature bucks let the does come to them. It might happen but I have not seen it be the rule. I may have tracked over 100 mature bucks over the years and believe me they put on lots of miles searching. Another wives tale I keep hearing is the buck herds the doe into some safe area for breeding.

First let me explain what I see while tracking and my assumptions of what is happening. We all see lots of young bucks searching or chasing does. This is because they are rut crazed and stupid in their youth.it's that simple. The older bucks are just not stupid enough to do a lot of daytime movement.
Ma ture bucks know the game. They know where the does are and what is going to happen. They have been there, done that.
The typical mature buck gets up after dark and heads out on one of his rut circuits searching for a doe. He beds during the day to avoid danger. Once the does are ready he is most likely locked down with a doe and if not pressured by other bucks he will give the doe plenty of room and not chase but instead follow. The chances of getting a shot at this buck are pretty slim.
Once he is done with that doe he will start the whole process over again. I know that they are very good at finding does and they are locked down for a majority of the rut. This is why everyone asks where are all the big bucks.
Don't get me wrong, they make mistakes. If several big bucks are after the same doe they usually end up pushing the doe. Young does seem to run more as well. Also, big bucks that lose the fight to breed can get frustrated and foolish.
And sometimes a good buck will move during the day.
I also believe that if a doe is ready and not tended she will seek out a buck. I don't really believe the doe cares what buck breeds her and she is often bred by several bucks. I read a study that said 25 % of fawn twins have different dad's.
So basically in a nut she'll, the most dominant bucks are locked up most of the rut and are also smart enough not to venture out during the light of day.
Now, as far as bucks herding does. This defies logic. These bucks are tired. They don't want to chase. They are also bigger and not as agile as the does. The doe goes where she wants to and he can't stop her. Also as I stated earlier, mature bucks given the doe lots of room because he knows she won't run if he doesn't chase. Young bucks that are inexperienced will press the doe and she will run as a result.

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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby Swampbuck » Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:23 pm

Awesome insight. Makes alot of sense. The few that I have caught on camera seem to follow this pattern as well. Good info

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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby mainebowhunter » Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:27 pm

It's why I love the mid november hunts for mature bucks. Especially when buck to doe ratio is good. 15th on usually see good bucks back on feet. It's usually when cams start triggering daylight pics mature bucks.

100% agree...most of the mature bucks lock up first.

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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby Ghost Hunter » Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:28 pm

Good read! :clap:
I'm reason they call it hunting and not shooting.
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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby Hawthorne » Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:26 pm

Interesting. The only fully mature buck I saw in Michigan this year was on oct30 and he was with a doe and he wouldn't let her leave the area. He kept cutting her off back into the thick

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magicman54494
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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby magicman54494 » Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:47 pm

Hawthorne wrote:Interesting. The only fully mature buck I saw in Michigan this year was on oct30 and he was with a doe and he wouldn't let her leave the area. He kept cutting her off back into the thick

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I'll bet she was walking and he was cutting her off. If she took off running he couldn't stop her. I'm not implying that these bucks won't test the waters or try to hold them. If one buck could corral a doe then how can a doe keep multiple bucks at bay and travel miles? I know it would be easy to witness what you saw and think the buck is actually holding her there.

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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby Lockdown » Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:50 pm

Great post Magic!

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magicman54494
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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby magicman54494 » Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:56 pm

When a lone buck is tending a doe the beds will often be 20 - 30 yes apart. The tracks will show that he follows her and gives her some room. I have seen this many times. The tracks say that he is not pressuring her and the tracks are walking tracks. This of course changes drastically if another buck shows up. Also, things are a lot more hectic when they first hook up then things settle down.

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magicman54494
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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby magicman54494 » Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:59 pm

I have also seen them bed very close together which tells me that the doe must eventually get comfortable with him being there.

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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby Hatchetman » Thu Dec 01, 2016 3:11 pm

My 2 c on your thoughts Magic,

As far as bucks herding does to secluded cover.
I agree that's incorrect.
Actually think it is just the opposite, I think the doe dictates when and where it's going to go down. I've seen way to many bucks ( and they always seem to be bigger bucks with a smaller doe) laying out in the open, like in a low cut hayfield in clear view of the road. Why they do that, I don't know, but it seems as if she is saying, "If you want it I'm gonna make you lay out here with me cause I know you hate it"!

[b]As far as bucks herding does.[/b]

I think it happens this way, and this is with mainly older does that have been through the drill a few times.
As a mature doe starts to realize she is starting to come in heat she will start to look for a mature buck or the best buck to her in the area that she knows of to breed with The whole deal seldom plays out as planned though. Normally, she doesn't get far before some testosterone charged 1.5 picks up on her trail and starts chasing the heck out of her. Even when the chase ensues I think she is still trying to find or at least get the attention of the big guy or at least a mature buck.

First off , I think the does, out of instinct want to breed with these mature bucks. Secondly they know that the whole ordeal will a be whole lot less stressful with a big buck . Thirdly if she can find a big buck and get close enough for him to get a good wiff, she now not only found her desired mate, she also found a darn good body guard!
It may take a while to fend off the small bucks but the dominant buck will most times get to breed her.

I don't believe it happens this way a lot though. I think the usual higher number of small bucks in an area determines that she never finds that mature bucks so she just gets harassed by the small ones until submission.

I witnessed on two occasions back in the nineties, about 5 years apart, what I'd call a rare occurrence.
Each occasion, 3 large, adult does being escorted by one bruiser buck. Both times they just came picking there way slowly along with the stud just hanging back that 15or so yds. I don't have any idea what was going on as far as who was or wasn't in heat but it sure seemed like they all liked his company. Like I said before, I think some does especially the older ones get REAL sick of being run by little bucks and like a big bucks ways a lot more. Initially, it may look like he has herded up 3 does but I think it was just the opposite!

Needless to say, both encounters ended bad for me. I never got a shot. You can imagine with 3 old lady does out front it was tough to pull anything off. If I remember correctly, The first encounter I got winded and the other time I got picked by one of the does. :?
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magicman54494
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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby magicman54494 » Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:02 pm

A rut story.
A dominant buck followed a doe about 1/4 mile along a dry Creek bed to a thick patch in the middle of a huge hardwood area. The tracks were walking indicating things were relaxed. They holed up in the thick patch. 2 younger bucks (Id guess they were both 3yrs old) showed up and things got crazy. They chased around that thick patch until there were tracks everywhere. Eventually the dominant buck managed to ward off the 2 younger ones and they headed off. The dominant buck and doe headed back up the dry Creek stopping and bedding 3 or 4 times. They were again relaxed and walking. He would bedo about 20 yds from her. They holed up in another thick patch. This is where I caught up with them and things didn't end good for him.
One thing cool about tracking is I get to see a more thorough picture of what really happens not just a brief snapshot of what I used to see when I would be on stand.
No 2 deer are the same but in time patterns start to form. I am amazed just how far a buck can smell a doe in heat. Im sure at least 1/2 mile.

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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby Stanley » Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:23 pm

Great stuff.
You can fool some of the bucks, all of the time, and fool all of the bucks, some of the time, however you certainly can't fool all of the bucks, all of the time.
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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby matt1336 » Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:38 pm

You're a talented hunter magic!

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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby matt1336 » Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:38 pm

You're a talented hunter magic!

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Re: How mature bucks rut

Unread postby P&YBuck1 » Fri Dec 02, 2016 1:22 am

Great material Magicman, thanks for sharing!


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