White-tailed deer leave many identifiable signs of the presence. To find deer, look for sign. Some sign is dramatic, some more subtle. Deer tell stories with the sign they leave. By reading sign, you gain insight of their activities and can plan your hunting strategies.
New scrapes can be found almost year-round, but the largest percentage of scrapes come into sight when breeding time commences. As the bachelor groups formed in summer months divide and bucks become solo travelers, scraping activity raises to a great extent. This happens a couple weeks before the first females breed.
Buck rubs are part of the communication system of deer. We detect rubs – the white scars of the forest – by sight. More likely deer detect them by smell. A buck rubs a tree with the base of his antlers, not the tines. In the process, he deposits scent from glands in the forehead. Generally, the larger the tree rubbed, the larger the buck responsible for the rub.
Buck rubs usually are part of the communication system of deer. We identify rubs – the white scars of the forest – by sight. More often than not deer detect them just by smell. A buck rubs a tree with the base of his antlers, not the tines. In the operation, he deposits scent from glands within the forehead. More often than not, the bigger the tree rubbed, the bigger the buck responsible for the rub.
Deer droppings frequently signify the only or principal indication we have of the presence of deer. Droppings can vary considerably in shape, color and form at different times of the year. During the winter months, when deer feed on browse, the pellets are hard and become harder as the winter season progresses; they are numerous tones of brown and about three-quarters of an inch long. In the summer, when deer nourish themselves on soft vegetation, the droppings consist of clusters of soft, green pellets that are more or less stuck together in a single mass.
Many whitetails have easy access to salt put out for cattle and horses. In addition, deer use natural mineral deposits in the woods. Natural licks are often found in poorly drained soil in bottom lands. Water collects in these areas and stands until dissipated by evaporation, leaving its dissolved minerals.
When deer run, they leave prints with their hooves and dewclaws. Dewclaws also show up in the tracks of heavy deer when walking on soft ground or snow. Generally, the more toe spread and the deeper the impression, the larger the deer.
Can you distinguish the difference between a buck track and a doe track by shape and size of the track? Some hunters and scientists believe they can; others say the only sure way is to see the deer that made the track. If you find prints that are prominently longer and deeper than other tracks in an area, the maker could by an exceptional buck-or a very large doe.
As a buck’s supply of testosterone decreases in winter, a separation layer forms at the pedestal of the antlers and thy fall off. In the north, this casting of antlers occurs from mid December to late January. Farther south, some bucks retain their antlers until March or April. Latitude itself, however is not the main cause for this difference in timing.
Nutrition and general health, as well as social rank (dominance), affects testosterone levels that control antler growth and casting. A northern buck will carry his antlers as long as a southern buck, given the nutritional level of the southern deer.
whitetail deer hunting White-tailed deer leave various recognizable hints of the activity. Water collects in these areas and stands until dissipated by evaporation, leaving its dissolved minerals. They twist it and rake their antlers through it and rub their forehead scent glands on it.
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