I always assumed it was right after the last does were bred, but I've never read or asked. I guess I never got to hunt them, then....so it didn't matter. I saw 4 small bucks, just now. Pretty cool. 2 had full racks. 1 had a rt side only. One had shed (I suppose). I guess I don't realize how much time they do spend, together. I guess I don't know how knowing that helps, either (if it does). Thanks.
That's an interesting question, really. I also thought they got together after the rut is well over. Even if it doesn't help the hunt, it's still nice to know more about these critters.
Depending on how harsh your climate is( do they yard up? ), I believe that they start to form bachelor groups in later spring when the does are getting ready to drop their fawns. I have seen older bucks, 5 1/2 and up, that prefer to be alone..... ie.. no bachelor groups for them. I guess it depends on the individuals personality.
I always thought they wouldn't bachelor up, until they were out of hard antler (no rhyme or reason to this thinking, really). Just thought it was "interesting", seeing the little guys, together, today. Two might be an anomoly. Four, together, tells me something else, though.
Well from my experience they may gather in winter at the best (or only) food source. That is different from bachelor groups. I see the true bachelor groups from mid summer on, through late summer. Once hard antler hits they tend to start knocking heads and the bigger boys seperate, the little guys in this area seem to stay together longer than in the past..it's like a trend shift from 8-10 years ago. Heck I've seen groups of smaller bucks together well into late November.
Not sure, but I definitely saw 6 bucks together last friday at work. The big Rob buck that lives between their property and the Ohio River was running all the other bucks around, chasing them off the guy's tennis court. Suburban deer crack me up.
I had five come in together on me two seasons ago just after Christmas, they were batchin, and two got into a light sparing match 20 yards behind me, Three were slammers and I couldnt shoot behind me as I was in a VERY LARGE pine tree Lost light and they walked by me toward the food source. The buck I killed this year was one of them That was the earliest I have seen bucks group back together.
I remember I had a really cool experience in 2005. It was in late October and I slipped out to hunt the downwind side of a breakline where I thought some does were bedding. I slipped in early, say noonish. When I came upon my set-up I looked down over the oak flat below which was about 100 yards away. I saw 5 different bucks, 1.5 year old, 2.5 year olds, and I believe one 3.5 year old 8-9 pointer. They were all together feeding in late October.
