If Does Control the Rut.....

[Mike Belt]

...and they do. No estrus, no breeding. But, if hunting pressure on the doe segment of the herd has evolved the does into the "buck mentality" of staying out of sight in the thickest of cover or inaccessible areas, and becoming almost totally nocturnal, when they do enter estrus why would they change what they have become? Does a buck on their tail "push" them out of their security zones? Is most breeding now being done even more so nocturnally and under heavy cover? Could this be the reason for fewer sightings of both bucks and does since the bucks evidently have to travel less because the does are in the same areas as they are already? Just thinking out loud here.....

 

[Lost Lake]

Good question Mike. I think they have always done most of their breeding in heavy cover and at night. And yes, I think they can be even more clever than the wisest old buck.

It very well could be that they've adapted this behavior as a defense mechanism.

I know this, I can tell a big difference when I hunt places with virtually no pressure vs. places that have a super heavy doe harvest.

 

[MUP]

I believe you answered your question in the same post Mike. Surely the bucks harassment of the does tends to rattle them into making hasty decisions. I've heard of stories where does would be hiding from bucks in strange places even. Just watching does being chased before, it seems the doe is primarily concerned, at least early on in the chase, with getting the heck away from that crazy buck chasing them.

 

[catman529]

The does still seem to hang around and blow at you while bucks stay out of sight when they know you're there...


Sent from the talk of tap

 

[Buzzard Breath]

... Does a buck on their tail "push" them out of their security zones? .....

I do believe this happens quite often. Not just from the dominant buck but from does wanting to avoid breeding with a "lesser buck"

... Is most breeding now being done even more so nocturnally and under heavy cover? .....

I'm not so sure that most is being done nocturnally, but since its being done in heavy cover and not being seen by hunters, its being perceived as being done as nocturnal.

...Could this be the reason for fewer sightings of both bucks and does since the bucks evidently have to travel less because the does are in the same areas as they are already? .....

I can see it as being the cause for fewer doe sightings, but I'm not too sure about bucks. This goes above and beyond my deer knowledge level. How long does a buck stay locked down with a single doe? 24 hours? The in between time, he spends looking for another. If you hunt a very thick area, he may never have to leave the thicket. If you hunt more open hardwoods, he may spend as much time in the open, looking for does, as he has in the past.

The does still seem to hang around and blow at you while bucks stay out of sight when they know you're there...

Catman is right on. This is one of the few facts of life.