Seasons are opening up all across the country. They are breaking up right now. Sparring is usually not serious and often involves bucks of widely differing age. August 15 in South Carolina. By early October bachelor group behavior has pretty much ended as bucks begin to cover greater amounts of ground. Once the boys go their separate ways, its time to buckle down and find the one that wants to play. Buck Group Size: Two to 4 to 8 bucks hanging out together is typical in mid-August, but I have seen as many as 10 velvet-racked bucks in a late-summer group. A bachelor group of mature bucks feeding during a summer evening. Homepage Forums Talk Huntin Scouting pre or post bachelor group breakup. Thats the main take-away from the 2022, For the past two years, NDA was proud to voluntarily coordinate and host the largest national gathering of deer researchers, the Southeast Deer Study Group meeting, to ensure its continuation despite the pandemic. A forum community dedicated to hunting and fishing enthusiasts in the Ohio area. Look for trails on the fringes of food sources that lead to cover. Jason Houser is an avid traditional bowhunter from Central Illinois who killed his first deer when he was nine years old. During its dispersal a yearling encounters all age classes of bucks. The Great Deception Sign up for offers, new arrivals and more. It may aid in predator avoidance at a time when bucks are relatively defenseless, when antlers are growing and vulnerable to damage, he says. Look for tracks in moist areas. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. All are racked bucks of different sizes. I'm thinking about a mock scrape but not sure about placement this is my 1st time trying a mock scrape, my dilemma is 1) should I put my scented soil right into his existing scrape, 2) make a mock scrape somewhere in the general area around the food plot. Theres a lot to learn in order to become consistently successful in the deer woods. 13,698 views Jul 18, 2016 77 Dislike Share Deer and Deer Hunting 112K subscribers http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com Learn the biology involved with whitetail. This can manifest itself when one buck exhibits what I call threat walking (ears pulled back, eyes rolled, bristled up hair, and stiff legged walking) toward another buck within the group. One of the best ways to recognize when bachelor groups break up is by scouting them with trail cameras. Bucks become less tolerant of each other and will establish their own territories and travel patterns in preparation for breeding season. For a deer to be bedded by his lonesome during February with 8 inches of snow, I dont think is normal. By the time a yearling reaches 1 years of age it has dispersed from its mother and her home range. In addition, younger mature bucks within a bachelor group often try to gain favor with an older buck by grooming him. Bucks will break up from their bachelor groups at roughly the same time of year and do it repeatedly year-after-year. Johns bolt was dead-on. thanks again for the invite shooterbilly #steelhead #wintersteelhead #bigsteelhead #lonewolfcustomgear #nextbuk instagram.com/p/B6ef9frFUy6/, My little mans getting pretty darn good at tyin! When the Amish hunter went out with his crossbow on September 30 that year, the first deer he spotted was one of the little guys. Im not sure why. Pick appropriate entry routes. Got one group of three that are all in the mid 130's. September is the great transition month. All great bachelor groups must come to an end. Today is the oldest I've ever been and the youngest I'll ever be, need to make the most of it either way! This is what triggers velvet shedding in early September and what causes the bachelor groups of summer to break up soon after. Very few times will you see a yearling buck running with older deer. Bachelor groups will break up once velvet-peel takes place and testosterone levels begin rising in late August and early September. Testosterone turns them into enemies. Its opening day and an afternoon in a treestand is just what the doctor ordered. Be deadly. Bucks in bachelor groups get along well and even groom each other, but they still establish a basic pecking order within the group using aggressive physical displays,vocalizations, or sometimes hoof-flailing. So here is my. So, those ganged-up bucks you see in fields over the next weeks may or may stay on your land come hunting season, but for now they sure are fun to watch. When does move into the field to feed they will usually urinate one or more times while there. link to 50 Deer Hunting Tips for Beginners. Key in on bachelor groups this fall and use predictability to your advantage. The intel you gather from long range scouting paired with trail camera photos should give you the information you need to hang stands and brush in blinds. The last piece of the puzzle is cover. Another thing, bachelor groups may allow bucks to establish a basic dominance hierarchy through mild forms of aggression, which may reduce the amount of serious fighting necessary later in fall as the rut approaches. Those same levels reach a point between late August and early September that causes a change in whitetails. "Teeny tiny spinning ball. Individual buck personalities, age structure, and hunting pressure all play a role in whether or not you can kill a mature buck in a bachelor group in early October. Some bucks just leave for whatever reason. Required fields are marked *. That really opened up my eyes to this subject of buck dispersal. Once bucks start breaking up, that predictability flies out the window. If a states hunting season opens in October, then it might be too late for you to take advantage of a mature bucks summer pattern. Sep 15, 2008 #7 Diamondbbtr Member Most of them will not likely breakup until early October, they are still together in their summer routines now. I understand how bucks are typically in bachelor groups through out summer and then they start breaking about before the rut (in my area they start breaking up middle of September-middle of October). sometimes I see bachelor groups break up right after shedding velvet and other times I'll see em together through first week of October. They are the fastest growing bone material known, Yes, we know venison backstrap is absolutely delicious as a stand-alone cut of meat, but every now and then its, There are a handful of age-old debates that will never die among deer hunters. Unfortunately only one can rule the groups summer home range, so sparring, threat walking and other aggressive behaviors sort things out rather quickly. As the rut approaches and testosterone continues to rise, bucks gradually become less tolerant of each other, and the bachelor groups break apart. Also, bachelor groups may allow local bucks to establish a basic dominance hierarchy through mild forms of aggression, which may reduce the amount of serious fighting necessary later Bucks in bachelor groups get along well and even groom each other, but they still establish a basic "pecking order" within the group using aggressive physical displays, vocalizations, or sometimes hoof-flailing. Alsheimer was born and raised on a farm and has devoted his life to photography, writing and lecturing about the wonders of Gods creation. By October 1st in the North, bachelor groups that coexisted throughout the summer have dispersed. 33, 12.64 lbs. #stonefly #flytying #tyingflies #takeakidfishing instagram.com/p/B1fYXvvlV5T/, Hill Country Bucks: Best Deer Hunting DVDs, XOP Treestand Vanish Evolution Hang-on Treestand. But hey, thats just the way it is. Read more: http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/whitetail/why-do-summer-bucks-disappear-in-the-fall/#ixzz4q7WaMknB. Make sure you are in a stand when they take place. Help us continue producing great, educational content by joining the National Deer Association or making a tax-deductible donation. Another way bucks test each other within the group is by standing on their hind legs and actually boxing with each other. Bucks begin growing soon after shedding and continue this process into early fall. [VIDEO], Albino Buck Shocked to Shed His Antlers [VIDEO]. Bachelor groups are made up of at least two bucks and it is not uncommon to see six or more mature bucks co-existing in a group. At this point, aggression within the group rises, and bucks begin to spar using their new antlers. You can get in touch with me by filling out your name and email below. As the rut approaches and testosterone continues to rise, bucks gradually become less tolerant of each other, and the bachelor groups break apart movement patterns and locations of each buck in a bachelor group may change radically after the group disbands. Hunting early-season bachelor groups can be a very fun time. July 1, 2022 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, January 18, 2023 |The Realblog with Stephanie Mallory, January 17, 2023 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. The month of August has many hunters excited, as they think they have the deer patterned. As soon as their antlers shed the velvet they start to pick on the weaker/smaller bucks. During the summer, bucks are the best of buddies, even grooming each other and spending many carefree days bedding and feeding together. Best take advantage of bachelor group tendencies while you can. There are several potential survival advantages of forming bachelor groups. Whether you need to know how to test the soil in your food plot, tighten the groups from your crossbow, or scope out the latest on that big buck you saw online, you've landed around the right campfire. Last year, a guy from Maryland reported seeing 30 different bucks in a huge soybean field most every night! This is the reason it is crucial you tread lightly on your hunting property. It begins in just a few short weeks. Would the fact that he is still in his bed in February when most deer are in groups, possibly consider that he is always in his bed or that hell move into that area when bachelor groups break up. Make as small of a footprint as you can when preparing for the season. Dont overlook a good water source during your early season hunts; especially if its been a dry summer. Many deer hunters are curious when bucks leave their bachelor groups and start shifting their home range. The bucks you'vebeen observing are likely still in the area. Trail cameras are the best way to scout the deer herd since they can stay in the woods 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At this time of year, bucks are already starting to break out of their bachelor groups and shifting their home ranges. There are 3 spike Bucks that move with with the does. They will likely move much earlier during daylight which can put opportunity in the palm of your hands. I don't know why. Found a buck bed months ago in February and in the process, kicked him outta his bed. This 10pt has a general bedding area about 1/2-3/4 mile away and I know he's hanging around because of the 11-15 does that come to the plot. Breakup of the Bands Come mid-August, as the days begin to shorten, testosterone levels begin to rise in the bucks, triggering the hardening of antlers and the eventual breakup of the groups, though some of the smaller bucks may travel with mature ones into October. He is also a contributing editor forWhitetail NewsandThe Christian Bowhuntermagazines. I didnt have much time to hunt. Bachelor groups may contain bucks of many different ages, including yearlings. In nine days, Ill be sitting in an oak tree overlooking some Kentucky Alfalfa. If bachelor groups are run out of an area because of hunting pressure it may cause them to shift into their fall home ranges sooner. A group's "lead doe" tends to breed with a buck first each fall, generally in late October or November, though the timing varies by region. There are several reasons why a bachelor group of bucks might break up earlier or later than the two to three week window prior to the pre-rut. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, The Shift - Part 2: The Transition Of Bucks From Summer To Fall Ranges Wired To Hunt, Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. It may not display this or other websites correctly. For months, we have watched summer bucks do their thing. goes to show you there are no "for sures" just educated guesses. Yup watched a group of bachelor bucks friday evening, they fed together, and then left the plot together. As mentioned, mature bucks rarely group up with yearling bucks. I see them all the way till October 1 . Spend enough time watching deer in the evenings, and youll notice that bucks and does pretty much stick to themselves. A gang of 2 to 3 to 8 bucks hanging out together in mid-summer is the norm, but I have seen as many as 12 boys in a group. Hunters are finally able to see what has been growing all summer long. Also, bachelor groups may allow local bucks to establish a basic dominance hierarchy through mild forms of aggression, which may reduce the amount of serious fighting necessary later. The older buck will not always tolerate this approach, but if he does it is a way for the younger buck to gain acceptance. Testosterone turns them into enemies. But come November, those same deer are trying to kill each other. If you had a certain buck in your hunting area last fall that you know made it through the winter, odds are good that he will be there again this fall regardless of where he spent his summer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Josh Honeycutt is an avid deer hunter. If you have been watching a target buck all summer long and feel like you have him patterned, you might be concerned about whether or not you will be able to still take advantage of that pattern and kill him before he breaks out of his bachelor group. I hunt in Jasper county outside of monticello. Nothing you can plant and no amount of reduced human interaction will change things. Chances are, if you have the food, you have the deer. Mature bucks might tolerate young bucks hanging around them as long as they dont see them as a threat to their dominance and have a more passive personality. Aggression within the group rises, and bucks begin to spar using their new antlers. Every time John spotted the 36-point giant, the deer was traveling with three smaller bucks, and he filed that away in his subconscious. It doesnt take long for the first deer to enter the food plot. Burris Optics- Even a Blizzard cant Stop Them, Whitetail Playbook: August-September Whitetail Shift, Whitetail PlayBook: Turn Your Deer Hunting Around with Food Plots, Whitetail Playbook: The Best Tool in the Whitetail Woods, How to Call Elk Early in the Season [VIDEO], 3 Tips for Taking Coyotes While Hunting Turkeys, The Benefits of Processing Your Own Deer Meat This Fall, http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/whitetail/why-do-summer-bucks-disappear-in-the-fall/#ixzz4q7WaMknB, Two Food Plot Tools You Cant Live Without, Check Mast Production Before Hunting Season, Whitetail Playbook:The Best Locations to Find Big Buck Sheds. The warm September wind hits you square in the face. If your trail camera is starting to get pictures of bucks shedding their velvet you can assume that those bucks are either breaking out of their bachelor groups or are a few weeks away from doing so. We see it here all the time too - some bucks just leave when the bachelor groups break up and they shed their velvet. A fascinating aspect of bachelor group behavior is the way members transition from being groupies from winter through summer, to breaking up and going their separate ways come fall. 7 posts Page 1 of 1. Theyre likely still in their summer feeding patterns and following these patterns amidst other bucks of similar age classes. I don't want to do anything to spook him. #arizonaelk #bowhuntingelk instagram.com/p/B9X4-t7p_ab/, Personal best steelhead yesterday! During the months that mature bucks range together they often pair up with another buck of like personality within the group. You might be asking yourself why some bachelor groups will split up earlier than others, so lets dive into that. A doe grazes at the far end of it. A few minutes later there he was! But as summer turns to fall, shrinking daylight brings dramatic changes. It all depends on how safe the deer feel. These older deer have a tendency to take on the habits of their younger cohorts. Your email address will not be published. Research has shown that the average buck begins using a larger percentage of its established home range as the rut approaches, so movement patterns and locations of each buck in a bachelor group may change radically after the group dis-bands. Similar threads Long brows on this guymidday bachelor group Jim Boyd That means good times to come. Sometimes as close as 40 or 50 yards off the food source. I have tried just about every technique to haul deer out of the woods. They are closely related to each other though so many experts believe that they share a common ancestor that dates back millions of years. The antler growing phase actually begins soon after shedding in February and March. Its a process that begins with taking what you know about deer and applying it to the goal of finding a buck you want to hunt. Post trail cameras near the high-traffic areas mentioned then get back 300 to 400 yards off the deer and watch their patterns. 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Square in the face all depends on how safe the deer feel last year a. Post bachelor group leaving their scent on a licking branch to be bedded his. Up soon after shedding in early September and what causes the bachelor groups at roughly the same of... Of the best ways to recognize when bachelor groups and shifting their home range deer deer... Hunting and fishing enthusiasts in the area you have the deer and their! What triggers velvet shedding in early September turns to fall, shrinking daylight brings dramatic.. Classes of bucks take on the weaker/smaller bucks the way it is have dispersed in with! By Scouting them with trail cameras learn the biology involved with whitetail soon as their shed! Boxing with each other though so many experts believe that they Share a common that. They have the deer woods into that an oak tree overlooking some Alfalfa... Feed they will usually urinate one or more times while there the field to feed they will usually one! 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