Ask The Deer Tracker

R.G. Bernier has researched, studied, observed, photographed and hunted 
whitetails for nearly four decades. According to Deer & Deer Hunting Editor Dan Schmidt, "He knows more about deer behavior than many professional biologists."

Click Here to ask R.G. Bernier your question!

September 2008

Q. – As a Maine resident who lives within the expanded archery zone I have the opportunity to start bow-hunting whitetails in early September. Obviously, deer are behaving differently at this time of year than they will later in the fall. My question to you is, how should I hunt whitetails in September as opposed to October-December and what should I expect them to be doing behaviorally?
P. O. – Cape Elizabeth, ME

A. – Although we ordinarily think of September as the start of the autumn season, in reality, most of the month is a continuation of summer. Despite the nights being much cooler, the daytime temperatures can routinely soar well into the high 70s. At this juncture in the world of whitetails they are still on their summer schedule. All of the green, succulent foods they have been accustom to is still readily available, and thus, their feeding routines remain the same. The trails leading to these food sources will continue to be used. However, one must be adept and quick to respond when other, more seasonal and preferred food becomes available because, the deer will be on it immediately. These new found caches are primarily apples, acorns and beechnuts. As soon as these delicacies are ripe for the picking, whitetails will be quick to indulge.

I have found it to be advantageous to initially begin my September hunting near these summertime food sources. By setting up along trails leading to fields where whitetails will come to dine has proved to be effective. Most of my September hunting is done during afternoons until dark. Once I have determined that the deer have switched to mast or fruit, I will relocate near those food sources. Primarily, bucks will be the last to move during this early season. They are transitioning from bachelor groups, in the process of shedding the velvet from hardened antlers, and basically, just beginning to feel their oats. That is not to say that one cannot kill a mature buck at this time, but due in large to their reclusive nature, they are not nearly as visible as they were just 1-month ago.

Q. – I was observing a doe with two fawns in my backfield one evening in September and was quite surprised with how the mother acted towards her offspring. Every time the fawns attempted to feed under her she walked away. Is this behavior normal, and at what age are these fawns able to take care of themselves?
T. C. – Montrose, PA

A. – What you were observing, as cruel as it may have appeared is quite normal in the whitetail world. When viewing or thinking about whitetails, we must not equate them or any other animal in human characteristics. The mother doe was acting accordingly to insure her fawns can in fact take care of themselves. By now, most of her life has been completely devoted to raising these fawns. She has seen to their every need from nursing them every 4-to-6 hours, licking them, stimulating them to defecate, protecting them from predators and introducing them to food that will benefit them. It is indeed a full time job without any babysitters or a day off.

I remember photographing a group of does along with their young in a field one September morning and watched one mother actually batting her hoofs at her fawn. The youngster was trying to get at the food she was eating and she had apparently had enough of his nonsense. For any mothers reading this they can probably resonate quite easily with the occasional obnoxious behavior of a toddler.

By September, should anything happen to the mother these fawns can take care of themselves as they are now fully weaned. However, the longer they have the ability to stay with her, the greater their ability becomes in learning how to survive. Essentially there are only two ways a whitetail learns, from their mother and experience, which will come, as they strike out on their own. This is particularly true for bucks. Once a buck leaves the proverbial fold at 1-1/2 years of age, how well he learned his prima from mom, good instincts, experience and a pinch of good fortune will determine just how long he will be around to enjoy his surroundings.

Q. – I am a year-round whitetail fanatic. In fact, my wife thinks that I am obsessed. When early fall finally arrives I become fidgety, eager and simply can’t wait for deer season to begin. I know that I am not alone when it comes to this passion. Can you provide any hints as to how you mentally deal with what I classify to be, pre-season anxiety?
R. S. – Framingham, MA

A. – This whitetail bug has inflicted many an otherwise rational individual and continues to this day. The symptoms that you are experiencing are nothing new to those serious whitetail enthusiasts. Because whitetails are in large my vocation, this malady isn’t nearly as invasive as it once was. The best remedy for the whitetail infection is to channel your thoughts into mental preparation. This can come in the form of spending time watching deer and while doing so, try to envision what your response would be in a hunting situation based on how these deer are behaving.

Summer 2008

Q. – I was in the woods on Friday, May 2nd of this year and saw two fresh fawns in two separate areas...it appeared they had been born that morning. That would mean that the does must have been bred in October. This seemed early to me. Do you have an explanation for this?
J. K. – Wolcott, VT

A. – Indeed, it would seem premature to find fawns being birthed this early, however, certainly not out of the question. The first thing to consider is the fact that these two fawns could have been birthed prematurely, not carried to full term. It happens quite often with human mothers, therefore, it more than likely transpires within the animal kingdom as well. Although I have used 198 days as my average gestation period for birthing does, that is not to imply that whitetails can’t or won’t birth in more or less days from the time of conception.

The second point is that we had a very early rut last year with the breeding phase beginning about November 1. Throughout my moon/phase study, I have noted that only 70% of the adult doe population will breed during the 14-day breeding cycle. This would then leave approximately 30% of the breedable doe population to be bred either before or after that 14-day time frame. Both of these does could well have been bred during the latter part of October while the bucks were in either the seeking and/or chasing phase.

A third option, which would be a complete conjecture on my part is due to winters stress, and it was a harsh winter, the two mothers birthed their fawns early, which in reality brings us back to them being premature. Having fawns birthed this early in the spring is not typical here in the Northeast due in large to the very uncertainty that early spring weather can bring. However, if I have learned anything about whitetails it is this, they can defy any logic.

Q. – I have followed your rut predictions for years now and am planning my hunting trip for this fall. Could you tell me when the rut will transpire and what exactly I can expect regarding the intensity of this years rut?
C. W. – Jersey Shore, PA

A. – As you are aware, last years rut was very early and mellow-dramatic. It was what would best be described as a "trickle rut." This years rut will be just the opposite. Understand, the whitetail rut is a marathon that includes four distinct phases. Based upon your hunting methodology, and preferences will dictate which phases you, will choose to hunt. For me, because I hunt where deer densities are quite low, I prefer the time when a buck is going to be most active, on his feet and making tracks. 

Each of the four phases of the rut is a separate stage that overlaps each other. The initial stage that sets things in motion is the seeking phase. This is when the bucks begin to seek out does. This phase last approximately 5-days. The second stage is the chasing phase, which also lasts approximately 5-days. Next comes the all-important breeding stage where 70% of the adult doe population will be bred during its 14-day duration. The final stage is called the recovery phase where the buck population crashes. Depending on how stressed the male becomes will dictate the length of his recovery. Usually this phase lasts between 3-to-5 days.

This fall, 2008 we have a November 14 second full moon. Because it comes at the middle of the month, breeding will begin much closer to the 14th. The seeking stage will begin about November 9th. Chasing will start on the 14th with breeding coming between the 17th and 19th of November. By December 1, the recovery stage will begin. Providing we have temperatures relevant to this time of year, I expect to see an intense rut with lots of build-up. 

Q. – The accounts of your hunting prowess with both a camera and weapon are astounding. It mystifies me as to how someone has the ability to walk up onto a living, breathing whitetail and yet, remain undetected. I have not been able to accomplish this. How is it that you are able to do this?
B.K. – Troy, NY

A. – Let me assure you, it is not without great effort and years of experience. And as often as I am able to accomplish this feat, there are many failed attempts. I use everything within my surroundings to my advantage. I insure that the wind is always favorable to me. When I step, I make the least amount of noise possible, and when it is impossible not to make noise, the commotion I make sounds like that of a deer. Let me make this very clear, a whitetail hears just about everything within earshot, it is only his curiosity and inability to detect danger that allows one to get within shooting distance.

June 2008

Q. – I was muzzleloader hunting in the Taconic Mountains of southwestern Vermont in early December a couple seasons back when I found something I'd never seen in my 15 years of tracking deer. I cut two sets of deer tracks, which appeared to be a large, mature buck chasing a doe. The smaller deer was leaving a blood trail in the form of a couple drops of blood with each bound on either side of her tracks. The big buck was relentless in his pursuit and matched the doe step for step continuing to bird dog the bleeding doe high onto the mountain.

At one point the doe actually bedded and by the sign she left it became clear she had 5 or 6 puncture wounds in her brisket/shoulder/upper leg bone area. It was now obvious to me that the amorous buck must have attacked the doe in his frustration when she wouldn't stand for him. My question is, have you or any other hunters that you know ever seen this violent buck behavior before?
B. G. – Arlington, VT

A. – In fact I have on several occasions. I was tracking a buck one day that eventually crossed paths with a doe that was in the initial stages of coming into estrus. After fleeing the buck’s initial charge, the doe must have felt secure enough to bed. When I arrived on the scene of what I’m about to describe, here is what I found in the snow. The buck approached the bedded doe from the rear, lowered his head and literally pushed the doe for several yards in an attempt to get her to stand.

When she did finally get up, I’m sure from the pain, I found droplets of blood on both sides of her running tracks. Unbelievably, a short distance further along the pairs trail, this same scenario was once again played out with the buck pushing the bedded doe like a toboggan in the snow.

Q. – I live in Western NY and practice Quality Deer Management on my property. This includes planting food plots and creating sanctuaries. I have made great strides in controlling the doe population, keeping the numbers down to what is best for the deer and habitat. Here is my problem, I’m not seeing, nor can I retain any mature bucks on the property; they all seem to show up on my neighbors land and ultimately, their game pole. Why is this?
T. D. – Hornell, NY

A. – Although controlling doe populations is a good practice, knowing exactly how many to remove becomes a critical part of your whole plan. If you reduce the population of girls significantly, there is really nothing to attract a buck to your property other than food, and as we all know, when it comes to love, the last thing on a buck's mind during this period is food. Here is how it all works, and perhaps why you are experiencing frustration at not having opportunities at mature bucks.

Every buck wants to be the Alpha male and wants to face the least amount of resistance when it comes to getting a female companion. If your property doesn’t have enough does and your neighbors does, and if there is any competition from a buck on your property the buck will head for where all the ladies are and face little, if any deterrents.

As far as recruitment of does back on your property, that will take time. Each doe family unit utilizes approximately 200 X 200 acre plot of ground. Included in this family unit would be the matriarchal doe, her daughters and their offspring. Whenever a void is created it could take up to a year to fill. I would suggest taking fewer, if any does in the near future, continue to plant food that is both highly nutritious and enticing and be patient. If you provide everything a buck desires they will come.

Q. – Last spring I heard bawling, like a baby crying coming from behind my house. When I went into the field to investigate I found a fawn. It was lying down with its head clamped tight to the ground. I did not attempt to touch the fawn, and later when I went back to recheck, the fawn was gone. Should I have taken the fawn to a rehabilitator and is it normal for a fawn to be alone at such a young age?
P. C. – Grand Rapids, MI

A. – First of all, by leaving the fawn where it was is the correct action. The mother doe never beds with her infants for the first few weeks so as to not draw attention to them. Unless the fawn continues to cry and mother does not return, and/or you find the mother dead, it is best to never remove the fawn. Its mother will come back for it.