Scrape behavior research

[RockMcL]

Agreed. I just wonder why some days they're obsessed with a scrape, messing with it for 5-6 minutes straight. And other days, they just walk right through it like it's not there.

My opinion only and based on my long term observations/reasoning:
When obsessed/crazy scrapping they are either mad or desperate, all based on competition. If dominant and secure, then they don't have to work it so hard. If a lessor or interloper shows up (known or unknown) they are mad and making clear they want to/will fight. If there are equals or potential superiors or worse just too many competitors, they are overwhelmed/desperate.

Heck, if you've ever been in a bar, you've seen it in the behavior of supposedly higher intelligence males.

What scares me is the young bucks in your chart this year. Why are they not afraid of getting creamed???

 

[fairchaser]

Yeah I suppose that's the skinny of it. Seems if they want to breed, and they certainly act like they do, that they'd use any advantage they could. But getting thwapped by a big guy is good reason as any to stay incognito

My experience when hunting in areas with a mature buck population, only the older mature bucks will grunt while chasing a doe. The young bucks do not want the attention from older bucks.

 

[BSK]

My experience when hunting in areas with a mature buck population, only the older mature bucks will grunt while chasing a doe. The young bucks do not want the attention from older bucks.

Interesting observation. I have to admit, I almost never hear yearling bucks grunt, even when they're chasing a doe.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

My experience when hunting in areas with a mature buck population, only the older mature bucks will grunt while chasing a doe. The young bucks do not want the attention from older bucks.

Makes sense to me. I typically hear grunting every year, but it's minimal. This year, I heard more grunting than I probably ever have. Which would make sense to this theory, because we were for sure lacking mature deer.

 

[Ski]

My experience when hunting in areas with a mature buck population, only the older mature bucks will grunt while chasing a doe. The young bucks do not want the attention from older bucks.

Interesting observation. I have to admit, I almost never hear yearling bucks grunt, even when they're chasing a doe.

Makes sense to me. I typically hear grunting every year, but it's minimal. This year, I heard more grunting than I probably ever have. Which would make sense to this theory, because we were for sure lacking mature deer.

I've noticed yearlings & 2yr olds are the most prolific grunters, but only older bucks growl or snort-wheeze. I've also not noticed younger bucks suppressing their vocalizing due to the presence of older bucks. It's been my experience that deer (bucks AND does) vocalizations mirror the habitat. In wide open areas where deer can see & identify other deer from distance, I rarely hear a grunt even during chases. Contrast that with extremely thick stuff that seems like a maze of tunnels and that's where I see and hear the most intense rut action such as grunting, chasing, and rubs.

I've always suspected that when deer are close enough to hear & smell one another but can't easily see one another, they vocalize for pinpoint location purposes, such as "here I am!!!". I think it's also why I see so many more rubs in thick areas than open areas. In the open you can see a rub from way off. But in a thicket you can't see as far, so more of them increase the odds they'll be seen.

I could be completely wrong about it though. I've always noticed the link between vegetation thickness and visible/audible rutting activity and rationalized it best I could. Ironically, one of the properties I'm currently hunting is the best, most exciting rut activity I've ever seen anywhere, and it also happens to be the place with all the half rack, broken, deformed antler bucks. Spikes and forkies in there grunt their heads off, so perhaps that's why they're getting all beat up!