Pennsylvania Game News - November 2022 - 4

soon to be in estrous in an area, there are
other factors that also drive chase behavior
in the rut. One is the sheer number of bucks
in a location.
" Remember, there is also more than one
buck in the woods, " said Game Commission
deer biologist Jennine Fleegle. " Male
competition for mates plays a role in time
spent with a doe. "
Then there's age.
Whitetails, in northern climates, have
evolved so that the majority of females give
birth to fawns in one giant pulse in spring.
That's tied to resources. Fawns have a better
chance of survival with plentiful summer
vegetation that allows them to fatten up
before winter.
To bring that about though, a large
number of does needs to be bred in a relatively
short window of time. So forget the
myth that says mature bucks do all or even
most of the breeding. The truth is, bucks of
all ages get in on the action.
Some does even breed with more than
one buck in a given autumn. Studies looking
at both captive and wild deer show that
about 20-25% of twin fawns have different
fathers.
" It's about opportunity, " Fleegle said.
" If a doe is available, that buck will breed
regardless of age. "
Younger bucks may, though, sometimes
go about things differently than their older
counterparts. That can figure into what
hunters watching for chases might see in
the woods.
All bucks move a lot, if not necessarily
quickly, when looking for does. Studies
following the movements of GPS-collared
bucks here in the Keystone State show that
few top even 1 mile per hour when they're
on the hunt. But they'll walk constantly,
relentlessly, for 24 hours at a time.
But younger bucks may do more.
" Anecdotally we hear yearling bucks
tend to be a little ambitious during their first
4
rodeo, " Stainbrook said, " though I am not
sure that we have any data that's looked at
this specifically. "
When looking to intercept a buck, young
or old, it's always wise to spend lots of time
in the woods near whatever food sources are
hot at the time.
Beyond that, though, there are some
things to consider with bucks put on the
move by hormones.
One tactic to use during the peak of the
rut, Stainbrook said, is to find does and
stick tight to them. Does shrink their home
ranges during the rut, making it easier for
bucks to find them, so setting up between
bedding areas and seasonal food sources
used by the very mates bucks are seeking
can pay dividends.
Paying attention to scrapes can be worthwhile,
too, especially before most does
come into estrous.
" Bucks will be checking active scrapes
throughout the rut to have a mental map of
how many does are in the area and to determine
which does are coming into estrous, "
he noted. " At some point they may put less
effort into that and more into actually pursuing
does in estrous. But put a trail camera
over an active scrape and see. "
Calling likely has a place, he added, as
both bucks and does make grunts and bleats
unique to the breeding season. Mimicking
them can sometimes bring deer closer.
Rattling can also be effective, especially
early in the rut, " as long as you don't spook
a deer that is nearby, " Stainbrook added.
Just remember, there are no guarantees
when it comes to the rut. Science tells us
when it happens. But there's no accounting
for individual deer. The best you can do is
play the percentages.
" Humans have been trying to pattern
bucks in the rut for decades, " Fleegle said.
" Yet it's 2022 and we are still talking about
it. Even after all we've learned, it's obvious
it will never happen. "
Pennsylvania Game News - November 2022

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