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Does a buck really know...

Discussion in 'Whitetail Deer Hunting' started by Siman/OH, Nov 3, 2013.

  1. Siman/OH

    Siman/OH Legendary Woodsman

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    How big his antlers are?

    I'm sure he has some idea from how heavy they are, how much he bumped stuff while in velvet, ect. But in all honestly, how would a deer even know what his headgear looks like?

    (Inspired by Pats decoy videos and watching those young bucks presenting there heads to fight)
     
  2. Christine

    Christine Grizzled Veteran

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    They stare into the water like Bambi to see their headgear. ;)
     
  3. Siman/OH

    Siman/OH Legendary Woodsman

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    Do they talk when humans arnt around too!?
     
  4. Christine

    Christine Grizzled Veteran

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    Of course!! And they talk to rabbits and skunks too.
     
  5. Pro V1

    Pro V1 Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Exactly what I was thinking!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  6. illinoishunter13

    illinoishunter13 Weekend Warrior

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    i would say between weight and bumping his antlers on limbs
     
  7. Wiscohunter

    Wiscohunter Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Basically everything that happened on Bambi is an accurate portrayal of the animal kingdom actually.
     
  8. Backcountry

    Backcountry Grizzled Veteran

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    To an extent, I'm sure. General size anyways. I've seen massive bulls come through some nasty tangles while barely touching a limb with any tine.
     
  9. SPOTnSTALK

    SPOTnSTALK Grizzled Veteran

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    Sure... Look at how cocky they are the older they get and the way they move, do they know...I tend to think so.
     
  10. CoveyMaster

    CoveyMaster Grizzled Veteran

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    Yes, they know how big their antlers are.
    I'm guessing if we had to walk around with stuff like that we would too without really looking.
     
  11. Lung Buster

    Lung Buster Die Hard Bowhunter

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    They know how big they are because all the bucks in the woods get together and sit around and measure them!!!! LOL
     
  12. twmessmer

    twmessmer Weekend Warrior

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    Hahaha some good stuff on this thread, but in all honesty i believe they figure out how big their antlers are by bumping into stuff as well.
     
  13. ckeith

    ckeith Weekend Warrior

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    I imagine its alot like a high school football locker room and buch of dudes stnding aroud saying mines bigger than yours!
     
  14. Skywalker

    Skywalker Grizzled Veteran

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    I don't think they care about the size of their antlers, it's what they can do with them that counts.
     
  15. Siman/OH

    Siman/OH Legendary Woodsman

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    A 1.5 year old 6 point full of piss & vinegar isn't beating no 4 year old buck no matter what...based on muscle and weapon size alone...
     
  16. Heckler

    Heckler Grizzled Veteran

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    By the amount of crap he hits with his antlers as spook him on the way out of my stand! :rant:
     
  17. Muzzy Man

    Muzzy Man Grizzled Veteran

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    Maybe... a big buck's superior attitude is a dictate of hormone levels; the same hormones that cause antler growth; kind of like athletes taking HGHs seem to have higher levels of aggression along with their muscles. The bigger horned bucks definitely seem to be the boss around other bucks.

    Then again, what do I know? All I seem to have killed lately is "skillet heads."
     
  18. ArcheryAddict21

    ArcheryAddict21 Weekend Warrior

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    I have no idea how they know but they do. Ive seen some big bucks come barreling down a hill in rifle season and go under neath of a fence barely big enough to fit their body without missing a beat. Incredible to see really. Now you have me thinking how they really do know...
     
  19. wolvenkinde

    wolvenkinde Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Those bucks grow the antlers all summer long and travel miles with the mess on their heads. Velvet is living tissue so I'd imagine they can feel when they hit something even if it is just a twig or maybe even tall grass. Learning where those antlers are by feel, much like we learn how to place our feet as we are walking without actually looking at exactly where we are going to step next. Also the placement of the eyes being back and to the sides of their head likely lets them know where those antlers are in relation to things that might get in the way. Do they know how big their antlers are? Well maybe not exactly how large, but they know where they set in relation to their ears. It is amazing to see how big bucks can work their antlers through small spaces(as going through a small hole in a fenceline like threading a needle) when at full or near full speed.
     

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