The tradition of assigning specific collective nouns to groups of animals is a feature of the English language, often rooted in archaic hunting or medieval terminology. While many of these terms are not commonly used, they offer a glimpse into historical perspectives. When describing a group of male deer, known as bucks, the most widely understood term is a simple “herd.” However, more specific language exists that often reflects the temporary nature or size of the gathering.
The Specific Collective Nouns for Bucks
While a mixed group of deer is generally called a herd, a gathering consisting solely of male deer invites more specific collective nouns. A traditional, though rarely used, term is a “brace” of bucks, which historically refers to a pair of animals, often those taken in a hunt. This term emerged from medieval hunting language, where “brace” meant a couple or pair.
Less formal terms include “gang” or “mob,” which suggest a loose, temporary, and non-cohesive assembly of males. When bucks are engaged in competitive behavior during the breeding season, the group may be referred to as a “clash,” reflecting their rivalry. The most accurate term for a group of bucks outside of the breeding season is a “bachelor group.” This phrase highlights the social structure of males when they are not competing for mates, typically consisting of two to a dozen bucks of varying ages.
Defining the Male Deer: Size and Antlers
The term “buck” is reserved for the sexually mature male of many deer species, including white-tailed and mule deer, defined primarily by its reproductive role and anatomical features. The most distinguishing characteristic is the presence of antlers, which are true bone structures shed and regrown annually. Antlers begin growing in the spring, covered in velvet—a soft, vascularized skin that supplies nutrients for rapid development.
A buck is generally larger and heavier than a female deer, or doe, exhibiting greater body mass and muscularity. As summer progresses, rising testosterone signals the hardening of the antlers and the shedding of the velvet. This development prepares the male for the aggressive behaviors necessary during the rut, or mating season.
Seasonal Grouping Habits
The formation of buck groups is a highly seasonal behavior, dictated by hormonal changes and the reproductive cycle. Bachelor groups begin to form in the late winter and early spring, shortly after the previous year’s rut has ended and the bucks have dropped their antlers. The purpose of these non-breeding season groupings is mutual benefit. This includes increased vigilance against predators and the shared knowledge of optimal feeding grounds.
During the spring and summer, when antlers are growing and testosterone levels are low, bucks are generally tolerant of each other, often feeding and bedding together. Although they are relatively peaceful, a basic dominance hierarchy is established. This “pecking order” is set through subtle forms of aggression like posturing and body-bumping, which helps minimize serious conflict later in the year.
The cohesive bachelor group begins to dissolve as the days shorten, typically in late summer or early fall. This causes a significant rise in testosterone, which leads to increased aggression and marks the onset of the pre-rut period. Bucks become less tolerant of their companions and disperse to establish individual territories. This concludes the period of communal living and prepares them for the intense competition of the mating season.