Time Of The Year For Bucks To Be Visible

It is mid October and the whitetail rut is only a few weeks away.  Already the younger bucks are beginning to show signs of stirrings deep within their psyche that, even though they don't understand why, they are compelled to act upon.  They can be seen walking the edges of fields scent checking for does that are nearing estrus and testing their strength against other young bucks in mock battles...

 

 

 

Both does and bucks are visiting licking branches where they leave their scent as a means of communicating with other deer...

 

 

Bucks are also checking the air currents for scent...

 

Because it is still too early for does to be receptive they learn to avoid the amorous bucks, usually by taking off as the one on the left is doing in the next photo...

The next photos demonstrate a small sample of the variety of antler shapes and sizes that bucks grow each year...

 

The last two bucks in this post are "button" bucks, born this spring.  Note the small "antlers" called buttons at this stage of development.  One has normal coloration and the other is a piebald...

 

 

This doe was crossing a small creek early one morning...

 

Thanks for visiting.  Stay well, and come back soon.