I've been watching deer all my life, a long time. Now against what many an expert say no not all deer act the same. Yes they all have basic instincts, needs, hormonal drives. Though depending on region and surroundings they will not always stick to the script. This year has been strange here. The buck have moved early, they are breaking groups early and day light, mid day in heat has been strange. then last night one of the nice 8's, a mature 8 in full velvet hassled a big doe around the cut WW/ clover field. Now we actually routinely have some early breeding here. I'm talking mid / late September. I believe these fawns make it because the doe drop in the big pine woods that were planted around the area. So early breeding activity not unusual, but this is WAY,WAY early to see. Actually I've never seen a buck in full velvet in August Ever hassle a doe as he was.
I'm not sure that a buck in velvet is fertile. I thought the velvet was shed when their testicles dropped. Maybe I'm wrong.
Right now, around me the deer are not as visible because some acorns are dropping and the deer are staying in the woods.
Well that would be my thought. Though by mid Sept we have hard horned buck, usually the younger ones. So him having his neck stretched and head low chasing that doe all over was a big surprise to me. She was not happy and tried a few mule kicks. Then slipped into the thick hedge row between fields. Yet he still followed her. Hubby came home at 4:30 last week and said a good 6 was just wondering around the road above us not a care in the world. Ya just don't see that stuff around here especially in high 80's. I'm wondering if it's the lack of standing corn this year. Nearest is 3 miles away . Still does not explain last night.
I've seen velvet deer harassing does in late August/early September. It may just be bucks transitioning from summer patterns and areas to new areas with doe groups they haven't been in contact with.
So the last few nights, 5:30pm till dark, the youngins and teens are out n the field. The big boys have not been with them. So pecking orders have started.
Had a big 8 and the mature half rack 25 fyrjey and a few doe show up. The big 8 is maybe a 3 yr. Old but that half rack is older by body size. His beam is wide but tines shorter. Good mass on that beam. Very grey coat. I can't see any sign he had another side. Which makes me think back a few years ago a young buck that haf a single long spike..
These deer aren't making sneaking out to watch them easy. I watched a nice 8 a young 6 ,spike doe and fawn. Then later I went out to see if the big boys were out. Ha!, I quietly slip out the kitchen door and right there 60 yards away straight in front of me, 4 deer. A nice young 8 pt a big ole doe and two young buck. One a long spike and the other strange thick based nubbin. Strange because he was clearly a yearling. They stood in front of me intently cleaning each others face as the 8 and doe fed. What a beautiful way to end a day.
10 bucks a few doe and couple of fawn tonight. I have to search for my 35 cannon tomorrow. Half rack, a few spike, a ten, 2 eights, a big 6. They were really starting to challenge each other and a bunch of scratching and head shaking. I know ,wind /weather hopeful, I'll be opening morning. If not right there close by the oak flats. Only cam getting action. Actually the same last year but I blew it by passing two different nice eights. Just to have 12 I was hunting slip in unknow as I was leaving my gully stand. Right under me!!!!the young beech I trim for lower cover worked for him not me this time. Never to e seen again. Won't make that mistake again!
