The Antler Almanac - Big Buck's in Bachelor Groups - From Pete Plasmier of The Outdoorsmen's Voice

Below is a new entry from Pete Plasmier of The Outdoorsmen's Voice. Pete has submitted many of his Whitetail Tips of the Week and Turkey Tips of the Week to the M-ASportsman and will continue to do so, but check out his new tips, The Antler Almanac. This week's entry is titled "Big Bucks in Bachelor Groups." Pete is also the owner of Sportsmen's Choice Game Calls. Check out their website for all your deer and turkey call needs.

Big Bucks in Bachelor Groups

After the birthing season in May, whitetail does are busy raising their fawns. 
Fawns have a lot of playful energy, and the bucks won't tolerate that kind of ruckus in the summertime.

Bachelor groups form in the Spring, and stick together through Summer and early Fall. A typical group includes anywhere from three to ten bucks. In each group, there's a clear pecking order. There are two kinds of whitetail bachelor groups: older, mature bucks and juveniles --1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years old.

Young or mature, the bucks are busy growing their next sets of antlers, which still are covered in velvet and very fragile. They don't like to bed in very heavy cover during Summer for fear of damaging the new tissue that's growing every day.

With no hunting pressure in Summer, bachelor groups can show up in odd places--alongside a busy road, tucked-in between houses in a development, etc. They like cool, shady areas, relatively free of mosquitos and other annoying bugs, and close to water. They don't bed in just one area--a group will usually have several spots where they feel comfortable.

Whitetails are vegetarians, so In the Summer months, good food sources are everywhere--plants, grasses, your garden, etc. 

The bucks are relaxed. Without hunting pressure and the stimulus of the rut, they're completely different animals. They're easy to photograph at this time of year.

About the time of the first Autumn frost, the fratenity of handsome bucks breaks up as its members lose their tolerance for each other and become more competitive.

The question is: "What can we bowhunters do in Summer that will help us to intercept prize bucks when the early bow season rolls around?" 

One answer is to chart out the bachelor bedding areas, and think about how to intercept your best buck on his way between bed and breakfast.

If you go out scouting, take mosquito protection, and wear light colored clothing--ticks are very active now. Take along some binoculars, wear high rubber boots it you'll be near wet areas.

Don't scout for bachelor groups first thing in the morning--the deer are feeding and travelling. Mid-day and afternoon are the times to be looking around. 

Keep the tradition alive. Take a youngster hunting or fishing!