Pennsylvania Game News - January 2019 - 4

Even though some older bucks are
known to get rut-rambunctious in early
October, and Pennsylvania's antler
restrictions - in place since 2002 - have
paved the way to an older buck population, Rosenberry said there's been no
change in the timing of Pennsylvania's
rut.
It's likely, however, older bucks mark
their territories sooner, compelling
some younger bucks to look elsewhere
for does.
Many hunters think that the big bucks
get all the spoils. But the truth is, breeding any doe in heat is probably a one-to
two-day commitment.
And while a buck's providing his
escort service, other does are coming
into heat and the lesser bucks have those
ladies all to themselves.
In seeking mates, the males do most
of the looking, while females move less
as the rut approaches.
"Female movement rates decline
from about 0.85 miles per day prior to
the rut to 240 yards per day during the
rut," according to the joint Game Commission/Penn State Deer-Forest Study.
But breeding isn't always instigated
by bucks. Mature does look for bucks,
too, temporarily chasing away their
fawns, hanging out near scrapes, waiting for companionship.
Fawns impregnated in their first year,
typically have one fawn, but twins do
occur, Rosenberry said.
The average 2- to 3-year-old doe has
twins. Singles occur in about 25 percent
of adults and triplets occur in about 3
percent of adults.
"Genetic testing has shown that
about 25 percent of multiple fawn litters
have more than one father," Rosenberry
pointed out. "So, about 25 percent of
does are conceiving fawns to at least two
4

bucks. But this doesn't mean there were
only two bucks that tried to breed her."

CHANGING CONDITIONS
The rut generally is a time when
whitetails without size - and attitude
- tend to stay clear of rut hubs. Patrolling bucks prefer it that way, chasing
off other potential suitors with displays
of aggression and, when necessary, a
forceful charge or pushing match.
Bucks can be aggressive toward
smaller deer, especially if they interpret
them as a potential suitor approaching
an in-heat doe that they're following.
Unless they run away quickly, monthsold fawns have no defense against
mature bucks.
But conditions can change quickly in
the deer woods.
Bucks can be harvested, leaving
vacuums. It's always possible another
buck will come cruising through, but
a doe might be forced to look for a
potential mate.
Late in the season, however, a fawn
in heat for the first time will not seek
out bucks, though the opposite surely
will occur.
Given our changing landscape and
changes in hunter participation and
distribution, not to mention changes in
local deer-herd composition, there are
always variables that influence when
deer breed.
But Pennsylvania's rut hasn't been
influenced by climate change, early cold
snaps, or an older buck population. You
can almost set your watch to it peaking the week before Thanksgiving and
sometimes lingering into February.
And if a chunky young doe comes
running past you in rifle season or
beyond, remember a big buck just might
be following her!
Pennsylvania Game News - January 2019

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