of does and fawns... Question on Mule Deer habits

[Rob]

So I have been staking out a spot for desert mule deer in Eastern WA for the past 6 months.  Both by dropping a set of trail cams, and spending a lot of time hoofing it through the hills.  The cameras have picked up tons of photos of does and fawns and  a few small bucks (1-2 spikes, and a fork).  While hiking, I have seen a couple deer that might have been three point or better but they were quite a ways off so it is hard to tell.

It is really surprising to me how many does and fawns I have seen, but how few bucks. 

Does anyone have input on the summer/fall habits of bucks?  Do they tend to hang out with the does and fawns during this time, or do they move out to other locations?  There must be bucks in the area as these does are not dropping fawns all on their own!

The area I am looking at is a good 2-5 miles from the nearest farmed fields and water is in good supply so that is not a significant driver in their behavior.

Any insights?

[CP]

It’s been my experience that mature bucks don’t hang out with does, fawns and young bucks until the rut.  If you are seeing lots of does with fawns, chances are there aren’t any (or aren’t many) mature bucks in the immediate area.

[Gringo31]

The bucks are still all together in a bachelor group.  I'd save your spot where you are seeing all the does for the late season.  In the mean time, you need to find the bucks.  Keep looking, they are out there.

[halflife65]

The bucks will be singles or in bachelor groups during this time of year.

[Rob]

Appreciate the feedback.  When do they start to go "co-ed"? 

Any ideas where they hang out relative to the does?  Do they hang close by, do they move all over the place, do they re-locate to the next county?

Someone told me they tend to leave the best food/water to the does and fawns.  I am not sure if that is true or not...

[Gringo31]

I don't see them really with the does till mid October.

[halflife65]

Depends on the country.  Sometimes they'll be in higher elevations, but not always.  Sometimes they'll be in the same area but after they knock off the velvet, they'll lay down somewhere during the day and hide and you'll see them in the morning for a little bit and that's about it (you'll see them in July through late August and then they'll just disappear.)  Of course, weather or other factors could affect any of the above.

Before someone tells me that I'm all wrong, there will always be exceptions or maybe locally they'll act different in certain areas.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Preseason, bucks are seeking security, does are seeking nutrition to make milk and feed fawns.  Generally, look for bucks in more remote, rougher country than where you see does with fawns.

[Skyvalhunter]

Not really a matter of leaving the best food area to the does. The larger muley bucks like to go to the high elevation or their honey holes to get away from the predators and people. The bucks sometimes bachelor up but when the rut comes its every buck for themselves and can travel great distances in no time especially if they smell a does in rut.

[Caseyd]

The bucks will be singles or in bachelor groups during this time of year.

 

On my families property they are grouped up as of the moment. 10 bucks, 8 are legal.

[fishunt247]

My experience in the low country (sage, CRP, and/or wheat) is that you don't always have to go very far from does to find the bucks. Often they are just one or two draws over. Scouting about 3 weeks ago, my brother and I went through 4 draws, each having  does and fawns and small bucks in it. Then we went over the next rise and saw 8 muley bucks together and two whitetails 300 yards away from them. Four of those bucks were damn nice, one having a droptine. They'll have honey holes that they'll spend their time in, and it doesn't seem that they care whether they are in the same general area as does and fawns. I know it is different in the high country though.

[let.it.fly]

yeah whaqt everyone else said. pre rut i never see does in the areas i find big bucks. and from what i have seen the bucks use the same areas from year to year. they are in bachelor groups now so where you see one nice buck look real hard, there will be more.

[Rob]

Hmm...  I am going to have to re-think my hunting plan! 

thanks for all the info, and would love to hear more insights if folks have them.

[BLUEBULLS]

there may not be any big bucks around, this is WA and not all area hold mature deer.

Deer in desert country can usually be found in fairly close proximity. The bucks won't follow the does until rifle season is over.