Six Reasons Why Bucks Leave Their Sanctuaries

by
posted on November 16, 2010
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
20101116134734-6reasons_f.jpg

1.) Most crops have been removed and acorns and nutritious leaves have been eaten or buried by snow by December. Deer focus on the remaining food sources.

2.) The whitetail’s metabolism isn’t yet in its winter mode. Hunger drives all deer to find food to maintain their energy. This often forces them to feed longer than normal in open fields.

3.) Unlike fawns and females, bucks have the added burden of recovering from the rut. They’ll seldom add fat to their frame in the post-rut, but they can regain energy and stamina.

4.) Large agricultural fields often deliver the most abundant and accessible foods. Hunger can compel deer to use these visible feeding sites in daylight.

5.) When hunting pressure declines in the late-season, deer begin to feel more secure and then begin moving again at dawn and twilight, particularly within woods and other cover.

6.) Although the “second rut” is mostly hype, late-breeding action sometimes occurs. At this time of the year bucks usually find the last estrous does at or near food sources.

Latest

Trail Cam Lede
Trail Cam Lede

How To Use Trail Cameras to Find More Bucks and Bulls

Get some tips from Scott Haugen on how to optimize your trail cam grid this season.

New for 2025: Davidson's Exclusive Bergara B-14 FSP Hunter Stainless

Davidson’s has collaborated with Bergara to produce the first complete Bergara rifle with a stainless-steel barreled action available in the USA.

New for 2025: Leica USA Rangemaster CRF Max

Leica Sport Optics USA has unveiled the Leica Rangemaster CRF Max. Designed for hunters and long-range shooters who demand precision and reliability, the CRF Max combines Leica’s optical performance with cutting-edge digital integration and a new heads-up display.

Boone and Crockett Club Poaching Data Published

Did you know that the majority of wildlife violations never result in citations? Sure, with so much ground to cover, it may be easy to guess that most violations committed deep in the backcountry will never see the light of day, but the scale is still quite surprising. 

First Look: Horizon Firearms Exclusive

Custom & Collectable Firearms proudly unveils the Horizon Firearms Exclusive, a 1-of-50 limited series built for hunters and anyone who values accuracy, value and dependability.

Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young Now Accepting Javelina Entries

The Boone and Crockett Club (B&C) and Pope and Young Club (P&Y) announced in August that they have completed scoring procedures and are now accepting entries for javelina (collared peccary, Pecari tajacu) in their record books.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.