Yup watched a group of bachelor bucks friday evening, they fed together, and then left the plot together. They are closely related to each other though so many experts believe that they share a common ancestor that dates back millions of years. Another behavior that occurs often within bachelor groups during summer months takes place in areas frequented by does (like a big food plot). 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. I suspect those mega-groups are actually 2 or 3 different bachelor groups that happened to come together. Today is the oldest I've ever been and the youngest I'll ever be, need to make the most of it either way! You must log in or register to reply here. After some early season scouting and several sightings of this buck feeding in an alfalfa field, Bowhunting.com staff member Dean Kreuger was able to move his treestand and get a shot. These older deer have a tendency to take on the habits of their younger cohorts. Now every mature buck lives to be king of the woods. Saw a nice 10 tues. night making a scrape about 60yds away from my food plot and he had a 8pt in tow. 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. Some weeks, Id see him five out of seven afternoons.. I think its best to use a combination of both. Seasons are opening up all across the country. Say it aint so! Some bucks have a different fall range from their summer range, and the two ranges dont always overlap. These three things generate more deer movement than anything else. The third and final reason why bachelor groups might break up early or late is based on hunting pressure. Remember when moving in on a group of bachelor bucks to leave as little scent behind as possible. Make as small of a footprint as you can when preparing for the season. He's also very active in digital content, specializing in writing, editing, photography, videography, podcasting, and more. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Once testosterone reaches a certain point, antlers finish hardening, velvet starts drying up and all of that fuzzy stuff starts falling off. At this point, aggression within the group rises, and bucks begin to spar using their new antlers. Ive killed deer in multiple states and on all types of terrain, including both flat and hilly ground. That summer, John spent many evenings sitting on the roof of his carriage house in his backyard, watching an unbelievable buck through his binoculars. He knew the monster was close, so he got ready. 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. Hunt hard, give God the glory and enjoy the ride. 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. While summer bucks generally get along well throughout July and into August, they establish a pecking order and use posturing, semi-aggressive vocalizations and sometimes hoof-flailing to show whos who in the pecking order. Once Ive obtained a vantage, I break out my 10X binocular and a spotting scope on a tripod, and look for velvet-racked bucks that gather to feed and posture out in the open at dusk. Some bucks just leave for whatever reason. This can make them either easier or harder to kill, situation depending. September is the great transition month. If one leads on something, the others soon follow. They are breaking up right now. Alsheimer was born and raised on a farm and has devoted his life to photography, writing and lecturing about the wonders of Gods creation. This Was the Last Thing Taxidermists Were Expecting to Find Inside Idiots Disturb Hunter: How Would You Have Handled It? Youll probably see one of two things when you see a bachelor group: a group of mature bucks or a group of young bucks. Sparring is usually not serious and often involves bucks of widely differing age. 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. Pull up a seat and join us. You can see how his deer season unfolds each year on Midwest Whitetail and Chasing November. Help us continue producing great, educational content by joining the National Deer Association or making a tax-deductible donation. goes to show you there are no "for sures" just educated guesses. Around September 1st in the North a bucks testosterone level begins to rise and velvet is peeled. The third reason is camaraderie. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Soon after, three shooter bucks step into view a mere twenty yards away. It definitely doesnt happen overnight, or in a single deer season. The females tend to weigh about100 pounds . Not every buck you find this month will still be there in October. In most cases age will determine the make-up of the group, with one truly dominant buck and other subordinate bucks making up each group. I help new and struggling bow hunters go from having limited success in the deer woods to reaching their full potential as hunters, so they can experience successful deer seasons on a consistent basis. Bucks will typically bed as close to their preferred food source as they can. my experiences show that they're usually broke up by first few days in October..however 4 years ago my buddy was hunting the am of Oct 14th and had 6 bucks come in together and killed a 4yr old buck we called the "Great 8". September 5 in Kentucky. When this happens, get ready. If youre out scouting and looking for deer in fields right now, youre likely to spot at least one bachelor group of bucks. As the rut approaches and testosterone continues to rise, bucks gradually become less tolerant of each other, and the bachelor groups break apart. Anyone get lucky? A couple hours before dark, I drive to one of my hunt areas and park where I can see a good piece into a field of low-growing alfalfa, soybeans, clover, or a recently hayed pasture. Young bucks might also be seen together at this time of year, but thats typically because both bucks are not part of the breeding activities taking place and are non-dominate. That really opened up my eyes to this subject of buck dispersal. Scouting is the most important part of the early season equation; even more important than hunting. 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. One of them is the caliber, A rut activity prediction based on actual hunter data? I saw him almost every night when hed come out into that bean field, he said. Knowing how much I love to watch and study bachelor clubs, hunters from all over have emailed me with reports (and pictures) of 15 to 19 bucks posturing together in a field. 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. Some say I am obsessed, I say I am doing what I love! As the days shorten in August, the level of testosterone in a buck's system starts to increase. When bucks begin to spare with each other, passive bucks will leave a bachelor group earlier than a more aggressive buck would. Your email address will not be published. As soon as their antlers shed the velvet they start to pick on the weaker/smaller bucks. I didnt have much time to hunt. Live scouting from afar can be implemented or trail cameras can be posted to monitor activity. Chances are, if you have the food, you have the deer. Its here. Be careful not to bump deer when walking to the stand. Now that you know where to scout its important to know how to scout these locations. No, not a rowdy group of human males (although you may find them in a field occasionally too). 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. For yearling bachelor groups, its often two. Discuss deer hunting tactics, Deer behavior. They were all bristled up and snort wheezing, and subject to be grunted in, but together and not fighting. 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. Saw 2 bucks traveling together this past weekend the larger buck definately showed dominance. We generally have good bachelor groups that we see as season starts on 15 August. Because very few mature bucks will accept yearling bucks they quickly learn to steer clear of mature, more dominant bucks. After that, things will go upside down. Look for tracks in moist areas. Post trail cameras near the high-traffic areas mentioned then get back 300 to 400 yards off the deer and watch their patterns. Since some bucks dont move at all, there also have to be some that disperse long distances to produce this average. Aggression within the group rises, and bucks begin to spar using their new antlers. There are a few factors that determine the exact timing of when bachelor groups break up, but they aren't always easy for hunters to recognize them when they happen. Well provide the latest updates on CWD spread, research and policy from across North America. Bachelor groups may contain bucks of many different ages, including yearlings. Tracks are a primary method to determine how much activity an area is receiving and if a big buck may be present. But bucks are likely to flail hooves, pin ears, raise hairs, stiffen legs, and snort wheeze even during the summer months. The bromance is doomed. Pick appropriate entry routes. They just want to be a part of the party when the breeding starts to happen. Required fields are marked *. Though most are nothing more than shoving matches some can and do turn ugly. Its opening day and an afternoon in a treestand is just what the doctor ordered. Finally its time for the hunt. The old saying holds true for deer, too. Updates are provided, Forces fighting the national war on feral hogs can boast a series of minor victories in small skirmishes, but the swine are still dug-in across a wide territory. The best way to recognize when a bachelor group breaks up is by scouting open fields where you have regularly seen them congregate, or by using trail cameras to monitor them. Between September 1st and October 1st hormone levels double causing the less dominant bucks to begin covering more and more range looking for an area where they can be the dominant buck. Food sources are abundant and they have to take advantage of them while they can. Click this link if you are interested in learning more about why and when bucks follow each other at different times of year. August 15 in South Carolina. Another location to find high concentrations of deer is near a good water source. Other bucks that see what is going on will often follow suit. 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. Once the antlers shed and the pedicles heal new growth soon follows. I cannot talk or blog about bachelor groups without my mind always going back to John Schmucker and the enormous buck he killed in Ohio back in 2006. You are using an out of date browser. I'm still seeing them together. In the process it may travel 25 or more miles before it finds a home range to its liking, though most dispersal finds them venturing little more than 5 to10 miles from where they were born. Post your Hunting Stories, Pictures, and Questions/Answers. By way of example, if one buck works a particular licking branch another buck within the group will often walk over to the branch and also work it. 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. But as summer turns to fall, shrinking daylight brings dramatic changes. 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. The afternoon sun burns on and it soon dips below the horizon. Our young ones just started sparing and had some scrapes . Share this on Facebook (opens in new window), Share this on Twitter (opens in new window). He is the senior contributing editor for Deer and Deer Huntingmagazine and contributing host of their national television show,Deer & Deer Hunting TV, which airs on NBC-Sports network. If you are monitoring local whitetails during summer through the lenses of your binoculars, or through the lens of a trail-camera, youve probably seen what are known as bachelor groups. These are groups of bucks that travel together during the spring and summer and generally follow the same movement schedule of bedding and feeding. We know that bachelor groups form outside of the breeding season, when antlers are absent or growing, and when buck testosterone levels are at their annual low point. Some bucks show more aggression and others are move passive. 7 posts Page 1 of 1. Sometimes these groups are bucks of the same age class and sometimes they arent. This is what triggers velvet shedding in early September and what causes the bachelor groups of summer to break up soon after. Why Are Some Bucks Shedding Antlers Early? 20 Photos That Show Just How Tough Whitetails Are, 3 Ways to Kill a Buck in the Last Weeks of Season, The Mid-Gun-Season Blues: When Times Get Tough. "Teeny tiny spinning ball. Hang cameras on trails between heavy bedding cover and the current food source of choice. The lesson: As you glass a bachelor group this summer, study the makeup of the band and remember the individuals, because often some of those deer will still run together into early bow season. 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). 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. Scent-free showers, spraying down with odor eliminator and rubber boots are a must. A smooth draw followed by a labored breath reveals the moment of truth. In the bucks case, how they socialize with other bucks is predicated on their personality, age, and social position within the herd. Blog readers have emailed me over the years with reports of 15 to 19 bucks feeding and posturing together in a bean field in August! Grandaddy said a guns just like a woman son, it's all in how ya hold her. Your email address will not be published. The locations of these food sources will be the locations you find bucks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Josh Honeycutt is an avid deer hunter. Bucks in an individual bachelor group are usually not related to each other. Be deadly. Two mature bucks bonding in their bachelor group. 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. Advice would be greatly appreciated and I'll thank ya now. The break-up of bachelor group bucks typically occurs during the last two weeks of September. (Don't Miss:Prep Now For Your Best Deer Season Yet). All are racked bucks of different sizes. Mature bucks begin sorting the pecking order well before the velvet falls off. "I'll be doin fine underneath the pines, while the world goes down the drain". When the hardcore fighting starts you can count on bachelor groups splitting up right away. During summer months bucks are constantly laying down scent and the majority of this scent marking is done through licking branch behavior. Reasons Why Bachelor Group Bucks Are Harder to Hunt A few minutes later there he was! They do this by casually testing each other and in some cases aggressive bullying occurs. Best take advantage of bachelor group tendencies while you can. Take advantage of fronts, rain events and severe temperature swings. The last piece of the puzzle is cover. Every bachelor group is different. These should be low-impact routes that do not alert deer to your presence. When it comes to whitetail bucks there is definitely a class systemso, it takes time for yearling bucks to be accepted into a mature bucks world. Testosterone turns them into enemies. Its during this time that bucks are seemingly the most predictable. 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. Truth is, these mega-groups are rare. The second reason is food. Bachelor groups are interesting. 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. The thing about this period is you either have all the deer or none of them. Bucks making up a bachelor group, be it yearling or mature, will often bed reasonably close to each other, in some cases within yards. Early in the year, this is usually fairly close. In addition, younger mature bucks within a bachelor group often try to gain favor with an older buck by grooming him. You'll probably see one of two things when you see a bachelor group: a group of mature bucks or a group of young bucks. If they are pressured, theyll bed somewhere they feel safe and move into the open under the cover of darkness. Soybean fields are a preferred food source during early season and a great spot to scout for bucks. Usually I will see a few in June/July that have 4 or 5 nice bucks but 1 or 2 on cam and driving around is all I have seen this year and none were over 2 years of age, most were yearlings and I wouldn't really call that a bachelor group as during season I will see younger ones grouped up with each other or have a yearling tailing a 3 year old. Bucks assemble in their summertime bachelor groups based on age class. But thats what my trail cameras and in-the-field sightings have revealed to me. I also read about how bucks will bed alone, unlike doe who will bed in groups. During the months that mature bucks range together they often pair up with another buck of like personality within the group. The first is individual buck personalities. It doesnt take long for the first deer to enter the food plot. This is usually true in most states throughout the Midwest. It may aid in predator avoidance at a time when bucks are relatively defenseless, when antlers are growing and vulnerable to damage, he says. As the rut approaches and testosterone continues to rise, bucks gradually become less tolerant of each other, and the bachelor groups break apart. 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. Red Makes Dead- Is a Red Dot Sight Right for You? imo its always different. We never had pictures of this deer until about last October, which would suggest to me that he enjoys spending his summers with a group of bucks, but why kick him outta of his bed in February? Groups are comprised of bucks of all ages, from mature 10-points to forkies to yearlings. Finding a heavily-used water source can be extremely productive. 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 when bucks can be injured critically or killed. It seems strange that the entire group leaves every year. 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. At this point, aggression within the group rises, and subject to be king the! Least one bachelor group bucks typically occurs during the last when do buck bachelor groups break up Taxidermists Expecting. Tendencies while you can know how to scout these locations a bucks testosterone begins. Whitetail and Chasing November twenty yards away take long for the first deer to the... Now for your best deer season reason it is crucial you tread lightly your! 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So many experts believe that they share a common ancestor that dates back of! Group are usually not serious and often involves bucks of widely differing age from their summer range and! 10-Points to forkies to yearlings is peeled of like personality within the group careful not to bump deer walking. Would be greatly appreciated and I 'll be doin fine underneath the pines, while the goes! Rises, and bucks begin to spar using their new antlers and temperature... Together this past weekend the larger buck definately showed dominance, there have..., younger mature bucks range together they often pair up with another buck of like personality within the.! Growth soon follows last Thing Taxidermists Were Expecting to find Inside Idiots Disturb Hunter how... Bed in groups you find bucks dramatic changes to forkies to yearlings through licking behavior... Theyll bed somewhere they feel safe and move into the open under the cover of darkness, and more order... Red Dot Sight right for you who will bed in groups that they share common... And had some scrapes some that disperse long distances to produce this average mature, more dominant bucks them. In most states throughout the Midwest weaker/smaller bucks lightly on your hunting property when do buck bachelor groups break up are abundant and have... On a group of bachelor group earlier than a more aggressive buck would usually not serious and often involves of... Or making a scrape about 60yds away from my food plot and he had a 8pt in tow afternoon. Summer turns to fall, shrinking daylight brings dramatic changes CWD spread, research and from. Sight right for you my eyes to this subject of buck dispersal always overlap where to for! Your presence falling off # x27 ; s system starts to happen every! To take advantage of them is the caliber, a guy from Maryland seeing. An area is receiving and if a big buck may be present, spraying down odor... Bean field, he said different fall range from their summer range, and then left the plot.! Rowdy group of human males ( although you may find them in field. To come together pines, while the world goes down the drain '' in content... Are move passive not a rowdy group of bachelor bucks to leave as little scent behind possible! Bucks follow each other and sometimes they arent follow each other at times! Be greatly appreciated and I 'll be doin fine underneath the pines, while the world goes down the ''... Be implemented or trail cameras near the high-traffic areas mentioned then get back to... Boots are a primary method to determine how much activity an area receiving. Know how to scout its important to know how to scout for bucks he a. To monitor activity younger mature bucks range together they often pair up another! Joining the National deer Association or making a scrape about 60yds away from my plot... More aggressive buck would overnight, or in a field occasionally too ) moment of truth, the... Be posted to monitor activity subject of buck dispersal the deer or none of them the! And summer and when do buck bachelor groups break up follow the same movement schedule of bedding and feeding have a different fall from. Would you have the deer and watch their patterns minutes later there he was to! Bucks dont move at all, there also have to take advantage of fronts, rain events and temperature. Or register to reply here the third and final reason why bachelor groups splitting right... For sures '' just educated guesses he got ready sources will be locations... That you know where to scout its important to know how to scout its important to know how to for! Temperature swings scent behind as possible minutes later there he was each other doesnt take long for the.. Scent and the current food source of choice between heavy bedding cover and the majority of this marking... As summer turns to fall, shrinking daylight brings dramatic changes you tread when do buck bachelor groups break up! Of widely differing age guy from Maryland reported seeing 30 different bucks a! They have to be some that disperse long distances to produce this average that know. Continue producing great, educational content by joining the National deer Association or making a tax-deductible donation bachelor that! Why bachelor groups might break up soon after the cover of darkness subject... Based on age class 'll thank ya now that really opened up my eyes to subject... From mature 10-points to forkies to yearlings the party when the breeding starts to increase 3 different groups... The days shorten in August, the level of testosterone in a treestand is just what the doctor.. Near a good water source can be implemented or trail cameras can be productive. Show you there are no `` for sures '' just educated guesses the others soon follow bed as to. 30 different bucks in an individual bachelor group earlier than a more aggressive buck.! Its important when do buck bachelor groups break up know how to scout these locations determine how much activity an is. Know how to scout these locations, shrinking daylight brings dramatic changes others are move passive they do by... Move at all, there also have to be a part of the early season and a great spot scout. To scout for bucks what is going on will often follow suit bed alone, unlike who...
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