Bachelor groups and dominant bucks

[conwaylale0]

I recently came on a new piece of land to hunt, only about 20 acres. I put out a camera 3 weeks ago in a spot I thought was decent travel route. Went and pulled the card this weekend just hoping to see at least 1 doe as I have never seen a deer here before.
To my excitement I have 3 bucks on camera during daylight 7 separate days, sometimes twice a day (morning and evening). One of the bucks is a 10 point that I'm really excited about. The others are a nice wide 6 and a fork horn.
My question is about bachelor groups when they split up. Or do they. I'm curious if the 10 point will become the dominant buck in the area and stay there or will he go on to other areas? Will the smaller bucks leave him and go elsewhere or follow him and try to mate with does that will let them?
When do bachelor groups split and start different routes?
If all goes well these 3 come through this area every 3-4 days. Same time (930 am). When will they change up their route or will they.

 

[conwaylale0]

Here are some pictures.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

 

[Mike Belt]

There are no definite answers but as a rule most buck groups will begin to split up around the beginning of archery season give or take a couple of weeks. Fall is when weather, human pressure, and food sources are all changing fast. Some will leave the area, some won't, and you'll gain some new deer. Just because a buck is a 10 pointer doesn't necessarily mean he's the dominate buck. That's all based on a buck's attitude although a much bigger rack helps. You'd think the dominate buck would get all the breeding rights but in truth he probably won't successfully breed 3 does a season. With almost all does getting bred that means some of those smaller bucks are breeding. If they all happen to hit a hot doe's trail they may be chasing together but it's likely that only one buck will be chasing. That just depends on deer density and timing.

Try keeping tabs on where and when the deer are because they sometimes can be seasonal animals. Where they appear this time of the year can be the same area as this time next year.

 

[conwaylale0]

Thanks Mike, I think I'm just real hopeful that he stays around. Either way I know where I will be anytime I get a chance.

 

[Bone Collector]

Try not to go into the area a bunch, as you could bump him just checking cams. That being said, Some deer use a place for the summer then shift out, while others will wait until around the rut. Like Mike said, if that happens you may get some other bucks in.

If he does shift, look for him after the rut. He may be nocturnal, but he'll probably pop back up in Dec. Assuming this is part of his core area.

good luck with him.

 

[conwaylale0]

Thanks bc. It's my aunt's house. They're outside shooting all the time and have 3 dogs. The only spot I was able to get a stand in is about 300 yards from the house. I'm not too sure how much scent bothers them. The stand is halfway down the field and against the treeline. It's a lot thicker than this picture makes it look. Hasn't been Bush hogged in 3 years.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

 

[Jcalder]

I had several 8s on camera last summer. I didn't see any and my cameras didn't get s picture of any of them from the end of October until New Year's Eve. I've got a 10 and a few 8s this year. Not sure if they are the same from last year. These are bigger than last years. I also doubt the 10 is dominant but he's at the top of my list


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TN Whitetail Freak]

in your situation Id try to find a way to sit a about 3 observation sits before season over looking the overgrown field probably in the very far NE corner next to the neighbors. the time of day on cam can help narrow down approximate time is best to sit your observation. Then on opening day go in there and kill it. you will probably only have about 2 or 3 chances. instinct says they are feeding NW in the afternoons. more than likely bedded on the creek to the south?