A buck’s pursuit of a doe during the breeding season, known as the chase, is a key part of the deer’s reproductive cycle. This interaction allows a buck to assess a doe’s receptivity and encourage her readiness for breeding.
Understanding the Rut
The “rut” is the annual breeding season for deer, a period marked by significant behavioral and physiological changes in both bucks and does. It is primarily triggered by photoperiod, the decreasing daylight hours as autumn progresses, which signals hormonal shifts in the deer’s system. This ensures fawns are born in spring when conditions are favorable for their survival.
The rut generally occurs from mid-October to late November in many regions, though exact timing can vary geographically. It encompasses several phases: pre-rut, the primary rut (often called the chase or peak breeding phase), and post-rut. During the pre-rut, bucks establish dominance and begin marking territory, while the chase phase sees intensified pursuit of does.
The Dynamics of the Chase
The chase is how bucks determine if a doe is ready to breed, allowing them to assess her receptivity. A buck will often follow a doe closely, scent-checking her urine to detect pheromones that signal estrus.
During the chase, bucks may emit grunts and push the doe, attempting to stimulate her and encourage her to stand for breeding. The doe’s behavior dictates the buck’s persistence; a doe not yet in estrus will typically avoid or actively reject the buck’s advances, often running to escape. This pursuit can involve erratic movements, with deer running in circles or ovals.
Factors Influencing Chase Duration
The duration of a buck’s chase of a doe is highly variable, ranging from a few minutes to several hours, or even intermittently over a day. The most significant factor is the doe’s estrus cycle, as she is only receptive to breeding for a short window, typically 24 to 36 hours. Bucks will intensify their efforts as a doe approaches this standing heat period.
A buck’s age and experience also influence the chase. Older bucks are more efficient in locating and tending to receptive does, often waiting for a doe to be ready rather than engaging in unproductive chases like younger bucks. The presence of other bucks can shorten or lengthen a chase, as competition for a receptive doe can lead to aggressive interactions. Environmental conditions, such as extreme heat or heavy snow, can also affect activity levels and chase duration, sometimes leading to more nocturnal movements.
What Happens Next
Once a doe is receptive and allows breeding, the intense chase behavior typically concludes. The buck will often stay with the bred doe for a period, usually several hours up to a day, to ensure multiple copulations and to guard her from other bucks. This period, sometimes called “tending” or “lockdown,” involves the buck remaining close to the doe, preventing other males from breeding with her.
After successfully breeding a doe, the buck usually moves on to seek other receptive females to maximize his reproductive opportunities during the rut. This cyclical pattern of seeking, chasing, tending, and then moving on to new does continues throughout the breeding season. If a doe is not bred during her initial estrus, she will typically cycle back into heat approximately 28 days later, potentially leading to a “second rut” with renewed buck activity.