How to identify a dominant breeding buck. (From mid-October until late November.) Here is a nice a photo that shows some of the characteristics of a dominant breeding buck.

• Obviously, superior antlers.
• Greatly enlarged neck.
• Scalp musk seeping down both sides of the buck’s neck.
• When the syrupy scalp musk flows down onto the sides of the neck, the fur will typically become striated as shown here.
• Rumpled fur. The body fur has an unkempt appearance.
• Enlarged tarsal glands inside of hind legs.
• Arched tail.
• Stiff legs. Buck walks stiffly with arched tail, when in the company of other deer
• If other bucks are in view, his ears will be back like this buck’s ears are — or cupped downward — indicating he his ire is up. He is a dangerous animal to other bucks when he looks like this.

Good Hunting,

Doc

(This is my first official post to my new blog.)