azhunter122
Member
I have been scouting in my deer hunting area. Today I saw a ton of does and my dad almost got trampled by one! lol. Why are there no bucks around and if there are does will there be more bucks?
All I See are Does!
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charby
Member
I live in central Iowa, saw a bachelor group of four bucks this after noon, 2 were forks, one was a basket six and one was a wide six point.
They were grazing in the soybean field near four does.
They were grazing in the soybean field near four does.
koja48
member
Bucks are likely still off in bachelor groups . . . they'll break-up & move out come dating time . . .
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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The answer to your question depends on the ratio of bucks to does in your area, which in turn depends upon your state's rules on the limitations of # of bucks, and the general attitude of hunters about taking does. What's wrong with does though? They taste better. Last year I really wanted a doe. I passed up a yearly buck and a 2 year old waiting for a doe - as a result didn't get any deer last year.
You may have a bad ratio. Or you may just need to wait and find the bachelor groups (and later during season the individual bucks).
I did see a doe near the city today just a couple hours ago. I stopped and let my nephew glass it with the binos.
You may have a bad ratio. Or you may just need to wait and find the bachelor groups (and later during season the individual bucks).
I did see a doe near the city today just a couple hours ago. I stopped and let my nephew glass it with the binos.
Speedo66
Member
+1 on the "does taste better". Much better than an old buck, especially in rut.
abbyful
Member
So true. My father shot a trophy buck one year, went on the record books in Kansas, and the meat ended up going to the dogs. No matter how you cooked it, you couldn't choke it down. (Ever since then, he's only shot does.)
Shawnee
member
At this time of year does are up and about more because they are still tending fawns. They eat a lot because of lactation and as the fawns start taking in more browse the does are having to escort them around. Thus they are more "visible".
Right now - bucks have nothing to do but grow antlers and put on the fat reserve they'll need once the "rut" starts. They eat and lay up rather than herd fawns all over. Thus they are less "visible". Their antlers are still in velvet so they can't batter each other and it is in their best interest to stay in "bachelor groups" because several noses and sets of ears and eyes watching for danger are better than one set. That will begin to change when the velvet comes off in a few weeks.
The biggest group of bucks I've seen this summer has been eleven. It is pretty usual to see groups of four or five. Typical doe/fawn groups are from three to five does with from three to six or seven fawns.
Will guess the height of the "rut" in Arizona is around Christmas week - give or take a bit.
Right now - bucks have nothing to do but grow antlers and put on the fat reserve they'll need once the "rut" starts. They eat and lay up rather than herd fawns all over. Thus they are less "visible". Their antlers are still in velvet so they can't batter each other and it is in their best interest to stay in "bachelor groups" because several noses and sets of ears and eyes watching for danger are better than one set. That will begin to change when the velvet comes off in a few weeks.
The biggest group of bucks I've seen this summer has been eleven. It is pretty usual to see groups of four or five. Typical doe/fawn groups are from three to five does with from three to six or seven fawns.
Will guess the height of the "rut" in Arizona is around Christmas week - give or take a bit.
MCgunner
Member
Kwicherbichin. Can't eat the horns, ya know.
351 WINCHESTER
Member
I saw quite a few bucks last weekend in ne fl. One was a nice 8 pt. and was missing most of his velvet while the other's I saw were still in velvet. That's the only buck I've seen so early that wasn't in full velvet. Kinda makes me wonder why.
Shawnee
member
Hi 351....
That is kinda unusual !
I used to live in the country near, and hunt on, the bombing range at Avon Park just N. of Sebring and fed deer in my back yard too. Bucks there would be in velvet this time of year fersure.
That is kinda unusual !
I used to live in the country near, and hunt on, the bombing range at Avon Park just N. of Sebring and fed deer in my back yard too. Bucks there would be in velvet this time of year fersure.
deerhunter61
Member
Got an email from the land owner of the lease I am on last night. He said he saw 7 Bucks at the Protien feeder yesterday morning...did not mention seeing any does...That means the bucks are still running together. As the rut approaches the Bucks will divide and start marking their territories and then you should start seeing them mix more with the does.
azhunter122
Member
Thanks for the help! My hunt will be in October and I am hoping the weather will be around 20 degrees then. I live in N. AZ so it is much cooler than the Phoenix area. On Sunday I saw 1 doe eating, no fawns either. Should I stay in this area come deer season or find a different spot? Also it is illegal to shoot a doe in my particular season. Otherwise I woud just stay and try to shoot this doe I saw. Let me know or PM me.
Thanks
Thanks
Shawnee
member
You might call your state game dept. and ask to talk to someone who can give you an idea about when the rut "usually" starts and "usually" peaks in the area you're going to hunt. That will be a starting point to try and determine what behavior to expect from the bucks (and does).
Also ask what natural foods the deer there are likely to be using the most in Oct. That will give you a basic idea of how to assess the cover/food supply in any particular area.
Probably as important as food supply is water supply and if you can figure out where deer are watering you may narrow your search a lot. At that time of year they may have good browse many places but good watering spots in only a few locations.
Good Luck !
Also ask what natural foods the deer there are likely to be using the most in Oct. That will give you a basic idea of how to assess the cover/food supply in any particular area.
Probably as important as food supply is water supply and if you can figure out where deer are watering you may narrow your search a lot. At that time of year they may have good browse many places but good watering spots in only a few locations.
Good Luck !
bps3040
Member
I love seeing does all the time. I always tell my buddies "Where does are the bucks will follow" I love giving my buck venison away,lol. I keep the does for me and the family....except the backstraps and tenderloins.
Savage Shooter
Member
You want to see more bucks. SHOOT MORE DOES
everyone(almost) just HAS to shoot the biggest buck in the woods. Thats all fine and dandy but thats not going to help the population any. Sure if I see a monster buck you better belive I'm a goin to shoot it but I shoot more does than bucks it's just common sense.
rant off.
everyone(almost) just HAS to shoot the biggest buck in the woods. Thats all fine and dandy but thats not going to help the population any. Sure if I see a monster buck you better belive I'm a goin to shoot it but I shoot more does than bucks it's just common sense.
rant off.
eclarsen
Member
IL is trying to reduce the pop a tad by producing two kinds of tags: either sex & doe only. If you don't see a buck, you can harvest two does--in regular season, two more in muzzleloader season, and two more in late winter season, if your county has the tags available for late season.
If all you see is does, I guess you get to eat a lot of doe meat!
If all you see is does, I guess you get to eat a lot of doe meat!
Deer Hunter
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Doe tastes better anyway.
azhunter122
Member
Yes, I wish I could shoot does, but all I have is a buck tag.
mewachee
Member
I have a doe tag, a general deer tag, an elk tag and a bear tag; I am set for the season.
My experience with whitetails is to stay with the doe's. Our bow hunting season start's in two days, and right now the bucks are doing their own thing. After a week in, anything bigger than a 2x2 will be completely nocturnal until the first of November. As it has been said, stay with the doe's at least then.
My experience with whitetails is to stay with the doe's. Our bow hunting season start's in two days, and right now the bucks are doing their own thing. After a week in, anything bigger than a 2x2 will be completely nocturnal until the first of November. As it has been said, stay with the doe's at least then.
Loyalist Dave
Member
Maybe you have to scout a bit harder for the bucks? I had the same problem, and read The Still Hunter by Van Dyke, published by Stackpole Books. I discovered alot of minor bad habits that were causing the bucks to see me and leave before I saw them, or sometimes to cause me to pass right by where they were a hidin'. The does out my way seem rather careless about my being nearby, while the bucks were much more cautious. I submit they were there, you just didn't see them, and don't count on the rut to cure you ability to locate and get a shot on a buck. Cervids react to weather not the calendar, and temp changes will make for odd rut habits. Read the book (imho)!
LD
LD
hatchetbearer
Member
Follow the poor man's motto on deer hunting "even with butter and salt, your tag still tastes bad, so if it's brown, its down!"
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