Hunter Shoots Deer After Bucks Locked Up
Shooting a buck that is locked up with another buck is quite rare but not unheard of. In fact, a Lavaca County, Texas, youth hunter had the opportunity to shoot bucks locked up earlier this week. Although both bucks ultimately died, the hunter technically only shot one of the deer.
Bucks locking antlers during fights is a natural occurrence, but it doesn’t happen frequently because most fights end before the antlers become intertwined. When it does happen, the bucks can remain locked until they separate themselves or succumb to exhaustion, predation, or other threats.
Hunters occasionally encounter bucks locked up, often in areas with higher deer populations and intense competition during the rut. Such situations are unusual enough to be noteworthy. Hunters faced with this scenario typically prioritize the ethical treatment of the animals, sometimes freeing the bucks if possible or deciding to harvest one or both if circumstances demand. These encounters highlight the intense and sometimes perilous behaviors of whitetail deer during the breeding season.
Source: “We had something a bit unique come in this weekend. Tryce Migl was on a Lavaca County hunt when his buck came out dragging a second already dead buck. Their antlers were locked together from fighting. Tryce killed the buck which scored 129 6/8.
The second buck was around a 125 inches. Tryce is planning a skull mount of the two bucks locked together. Congratulations Tryce! Looking forward to seeing this skull mount on display at the annual Wild Game Supper.”
It really is a survival of the fittest, but sometimes the fittest do not survive either.
Buck Brawls: Sometimes Bucks Lock Up
Whitetail bucks fight primarily to establish dominance and secure mating opportunities during the their annual breeding period. These battles are driven by instinct and competition, as stronger, more dominant bucks typically earn the right to mate with does. This ensures their genes are passed on to the next generation.
Fighting also helps establish a social hierarchy and territorial boundaries among bucks in the area. Using their antlers as weapons, bucks engage in displays of strength and stamina. They often locking antlers and push against one another until one buck concedes or is killed. While these fights can lead to injuries or exhaustion, they play a critical role in natural selection. This epic battles promote the survival of the fittest and maintain ecological balance within the population.
Bucks Locked Up Antlers: How?
Whitetail bucks fight over territory to some extent, but mostly for mating rights. During the breeding season, a buck has only one thing on its mind. Get in his way and you get the antlers. When two bucks go at it, here’s how it locked antlers happen:
- Antler Engagement: Bucks lower their heads and push their antlers against each other, trying to assert dominance. This exercise is violent, war.
- Interlocking Points: The antlers, which have multiple points and branches, can become intertwined when the bucks push, twist, or thrash.
- No Release: If the antlers twist together in a certain way, they can become stuck. In some cases, the harder the bucks struggle to free themselves, the tighter the lock can become.
Unfortunately, it’s rarely a happy ending when the result is two bucks locked up. This situation can lead to exhaustion, injury, or even death if the bucks cannot separate themselves, especially if they’re unable to feed or defend against predators. In more rare cases, some hunters have found three bucks with antlers locked antlers. This phenomenon underscores the risks of competition in the wild.
Get Youth Out Hunting
Youth hunters play a vital role in preserving the traditions, ethics, and conservation efforts of hunting. Introducing young people to hunting fosters an appreciation for wildlife and the ecosystems they inhabit, teaching them the importance of sustainable practices and responsible stewardship. Youth hunting programs also ensure the continuation of these time-honored skills, bridging the gap between generations and promoting family bonding.
Moreover, involving young hunters helps secure ongoing funding for conservation through license fees and excise taxes on hunting equipment. This directly benefits hunters and wildlife management programs into their future. By nurturing a passion for the outdoors, youth hunters become advocates for conservation and the future of natural resource management.
Furthermore, getting kids outdoors leads to amazing things. For example, the young hunter in this article would have never have even seen bucks locked up if he had not been in the field. Kudos to whoever gave him the chance for a once in a lifetime opportunity.