As each day passes since velvet has shed and antlers have hardened, the bucks become more skittish and twitchy. They are challenging one another and constantly on alert -- even while feeding.There is considerably more pushing and shoving and all bucks seem to snort frequently.
George has some minor scratch marks along his right side. Murph has an ever-darkening snout. We noticed that the colour along the back of their necks is becoming darker, too and the necks are becoming thicker.
The largest bucks are not even coming to see us for food. We occasionally walk down to the end of the field to count them and leave some goodies, but they really don't want much to do with us.
That leaves 8 or 9 bucks for apples, carrots and corn and our "socialization" efforts. They come in from different areas of the farm. Today they came from three places. And if, while feeding, one gets spooked, then all will run off, leaving food that only a few weeks ago they would eat to the very last kernel and then casually stroll across the creek to lay down for a nap.
We think this change in behaviour marks the beginning of the rut or mating season, or some prelude to it. Apparently this starts to happen in October, but ...
Because some of the deer movements can be jerky, sudden and not very calm, it's probably not the best time for too many visitors, especially children. We now understand that the deer were the most placid and pleasant during the velvet stage from May to mid-August. What next?
1 comment:
Hey Arthur,
Thanks for your comments and we agree that it will be interesting to see what happens next. The deer have been part of the reserve since October 1, 2005 so we are just about to celebrate one year of observing their behaviour. The big question is what will the absence of females mean to the bucks and we hope that they will not harm one another, but this could, of course, happen.
Cheers,
Jane & Allan
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