Rut Myths Debunked Article in Field and Stream

[aggie2000tx]

Has anyone had a chance to read this article in this months Field and Stream? It is a very interesting article to say the least of a study done on the famed King Ranch. It states that 35% of the fawns sired were from immature bucks (1 1/2 and 2 1/2 year olds). I guess even the young ones get to pass along their genetics too weather good or bad.

[Shane]

Dang does are too easy.

[cosmiccowboy]

cougars

[treestandjunky]

cougars

thats funny

[Bodey]

I guess it's feasible if the buck doe-ratio and the demographics of the population were just right. If a mature buck is only going to service 1 1/2 to 2 does, someone else has to pick up the slack. I have no problem with a young buck getting a little work if his genes are good.

[Burrito]

Just read it tonight. Interesting research.

[Froggy]

Thought

Let's try a Viagra/Corn mixture. I know the feeling. Them old mature bucks are just tired. The blood don't flow like it used to. Hard to keep up with them youngsters.

[ZenDada]

thats funny

x2

[bsills]

I would like to read that article.

[aggie2000tx]

I would like to read that article.

It is on page 32 of October 2009 Field and Stream.

[bsills]

does anyone have a link

[aggie2000tx]

does anyone have a link

I will try to get you one.

[stan]

Don't have a link, but I did read the article. Pretty interesting stuff in there in contradiction to what I've heard about the rut for years.

[Randy]

I read that this morning. I also thought it was a bit odd that the big bucks dont necessarily chase during the rut. I can see how they might lose some libido as they get older, but I still see the biggest deer during the rut.

[Encinal]

Heh... the older bucks do a disproportionate amount of breeding...

Some little guys get some... that's not hard to figure out... but the big guys get most of them...

You have to consider what the buck age structure and ratios are where they are doing these studies...

If you have a better age structure... and ratios... even MORE of your does will be bred by older bucks...

In places like NJ where the average age of a buck is 1.5 and you have a 6:1 doe:buck ratio of course most will be bred by younger deer.

KR where they are heavily culling and have a bunch of ancient deer no one wants to kill... a few deer in their prime... and a bunch of 1-4 year olds... a lot of does are going to be bred by 2 year olds and yearlings...

Also... if you notice... 2 year olds and yearlings are the ones that end up coming to horns the WHOLE year... they are sneak breeders... these bucks never stay "with" a doe... they get in and get out...