Nice one Loki. Did you guys take him out of your blind?
I think I've read every word ever written about BT deer. I don't remember any discussion of the tarsals changing in odiferous intensity over the course of the year. It would make sense that as testosterone levels rise, the scent glands secrete more compounds, but of course, I've never smelled the tarsal of a buck that wasn't somewhere in the rut phase. Perhaps your buck was going to be a real stinker six weeks from now. (?) Anyways, thanks for posting. I think your pic is number two for posted success shots for BT bucks (so far). We needed some action!
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Jake - Scott Haugen states that the local bucks in any given area have already worked out who is king of the hill well in advance of the rut, so regarding the torn up ground and brush you observed: I'm wondering if one of the younger local bucks challenged an older buck early on in order to establish his dominance well before the rutting season, which resulted in the evidence of the fight. Could happen I suppose.