June is such an exhilarating time as bachelor bucks start to establish their pecking order! The nuances of their body language can be quite subtle, but there are definitely moments when an older buck asserts its dominance. Younger bucks often hang around, approaching the older ones with a respectful demeanor. As the summer unfolds and their velvet antlers transform into impressive hard horns, you might notice their interactions becoming more intense and even a bit aggressive at times. For now, though, it’s all in good fun, providing a glimpse of the thrilling changes to come! I’m excited to share this edition of “From The Scrape,” featuring some fantastic footage of a younger buck alongside an older one captured with my SpyPoint Flex-S-Dark camera.
The Look
You’ve got to check out this amazing video from last week! A wise, mature buck is making his way back to his cozy bed, taking a leisurely stroll towards a familiar scrape. But wait! He spots a curious younger buck trailing behind him. Just look at how the older buck’s velvet is coming in beautifully, showcasing impressive brow tines and the start of his G2s! The moment is captivating when he turns to face the younger buck, exuding confidence. His body language says it all – the younger buck is definitely getting a bit too close for comfort! The mature buck stands still like a statue, holding that intense gaze for over ten seconds. It’s a striking reminder that experience matters in the wild, and the younger buck needs to tread carefully!
I Am Not Playing
Did you know that while whitetail deer grow their velvet antlers, they are quite sensitive? It’s fascinating! In this video, we get a glimpse of a mature buck who’s confidently warning a younger buck following closely behind. Watch as he interacts with a small sapling, seemingly making a rub, but he’s actually marking his territory by depositing secretion from his forehead gland. This gland is active year-round but becomes even more active after shedding velvet. Here, our mature buck is using this unique behavior to assert himself and let the younger buck know to keep his distance. It’s such a thrilling sight to witness this kind of interaction in June.
Keep Moving Junior
Finally, the younger buck steps into view! It’s interesting to see how he completely ignores the older buck and skips the scrape. Even though he’s been here before, he wisely decides to avoid it this time, as the mature buck is in the way. The older buck, showing his dominance, is marking a small sapling with his forehead gland. Once the younger buck passes, the mature one confidently moves to the scrape and starts working the licking branch. Just look at the impressive difference in their sizes!
Exclamation Point
Just outside the camera’s frame, we see a younger buck eagerly observing, while the mature buck truly commands our attention with his impressive behavior. After carefully working the scrape, he confidently urinates to mark his territory—what a fascinating display! Instead of the typical ritual of urinating on his tarsal glands, he assertively chose to directly mark the scrape, showcasing his dominance in such a striking way. I can’t help but feel excited about watching this buck’s antlers grow over the coming months! I have a hunch about his identity, but I’m looking forward to observing his evolution further before sharing my thoughts.
SpyPoint Flex-S-Dark
The SpyPoint Flex-S-Dark is an outstanding camera, packed with features that make it one of my favorites. Its battery life is exceptional, lasting up to 12 months in picture mode thanks to the internal lithium battery. The Flex-S-Dark is equipped with a 40-megapixel camera for stunning photos and can also capture 1080p videos with sound, as mentioned in this article. Additionally, a live mode is set to be introduced soon, and I believe this will be a game-changer.
