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.)
Dr Nordberg on Deer Hunting 