How does a dominant buck’s home range change during the fall rut compared to summer?
Answer
It can encompass several square miles as he patrols for receptive does
The home range dynamics of white-tailed deer exhibit marked sexual segregation, particularly in relation to the breeding season, known as the rut. During the fall rut, dominant bucks must significantly expand their movements. Since receptive females may be scattered across a wide area, the buck needs to patrol extensively to locate them. This critical reproductive need causes the buck's range to expand to cover several square miles, making his autumn location much less predictable than the relatively fixed, smaller range typically maintained by a doe during non-breeding seasons.
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