OK, first I am trying to get the footage sent to me so I can post it on here. A friend of mine stopped over today to show me some footage of 3 bucks in a field of course all in velvet. What was interesting was that the 2 eight pointers actually started pushing each other like they do in the fall....I have never seen this with bucks that still have the velvet on.... Just wondering if anyone else has ? This then would make me assume that the horns are hard underneath the velvet for them to do this ?
I have read that once a deer gets towards the end of his growing process, he will begin to spar. Every year i see a few posts and pics with velvet sparring.
Jeff, I'm on board with this logic. Yesterday, I watched 4 bucks feeding in the bean field across the road, together. The largest of them (a130-140, 8 point) was pushing around a smaller 6 point, as if he were feeding a bit to close to him. The other 2, and smaller bucks, were giving the bigger guy a 30 yard cushion.
Obviously there is a hierarchy. Rob, I've never seen velvet bucks lock up either. I have seen them rear up on their hind legs and box, not unlike does when their antlers are soft like assuming today. ? We must assume they have some hardening factors but I wonder if at times they simply "forget" and that's why we see some broken racks as well. ? ?
That makes sense...I have been watching a group of bucks as well and when another buck tends to ingore the "stare" he gets a kick !! tis the season:D:D:D
