Deer are social animals that often live in groups called herds. However, when it comes to adult male deer, known as bucks, living together is more complicated. Bucks can be quite territorial and aggressive, especially during the breeding season known as the rut. In this article, we’ll explore whether it’s possible for two bucks to coexist peacefully.
The natural behavior of bucks
In the wild, bucks tend to live solitary lives for most of the year. They separate from the female deer and fawns and only rejoin them during the rut. This is because bucks are highly territorial and will defend areas that have resources needed for survival such as food, water and shelter. They mark trees and shrubs with their scent and will confront other bucks that encroach on their space.
Aggressive encounters between bucks include posturing displays where they will walk stiffly, extend their neck and flick their tail. If neither backs down, they may begin pushing and rubbing antlers. Serious fights involve charging and locking antlers as they try to overpower each other. Injuries and sometimes even deaths can occur from bucks goring each other with their antlers.
The hierarchy between bucks is clear, with dominant mature bucks holding the best territories. Younger subordinate bucks must live on the fringes. Having another mature buck sharing a territory would not be tolerated for long.
Bucks living together in captivity
In captivity, the situation for bucks is a bit different. Space and resources are limited compared to the wild. Multiple bucks may be kept together out of necessity, such as in zoos or deer farms. However, this frequently leads to aggressive skirmishes.
Certain factors influence whether captivity bucks can coexist:
- Space – The larger the enclosure, the lower the competition for resources. Similarly, having visual barriers and multiple feeding stations reduces conflict.
- Herd composition – Having bucks of different ages can help, as the older dominant buck directs aggression toward the younger ones. A balanced male-to-female ratio also helps.
- Time of year – The rut brings a surge in testosterone and aggression. Keeping bucks separate during this time is safest.
- Personality – Some bucks are naturally less aggressive and can tolerate others better.
With diligent management, it is possible for two bucks to share space in captivity during certain times of year and under specific conditions. However, there will likely always be some level of conflict so vigilance is required.
Methods for introducing bucks
When attempting to integrate two unfamiliar mature bucks into the same space, there are some management techniques that may help:
- Gradual introduction – Allow bucks to see, smell and hear each other first before fully integrating. Let the more dominant buck enter the new shared area first.
- Antler protection – Cover antler points with tennis balls or another soft padding to prevent injuries if they spar.
- Tranquilization – Mildly sedate the bucks initially to dull the aggressive response and allow familiarization.
- Separation ability – Have the ability to quickly separate them if needed to intervene in any dangerous fights.
- Distraction – Provide novel objects, treats, or changes in the enclosure to distract territorial behaviors.
Even with precautions, there will likely still be some shuffling in the hierarchy as the bucks determine who is most dominant. As long as injuries are minimized, they may eventually establish a pecking order and reach an uneasy truce.
Signs of an incompatible match
Some warning signs that two bucks should not remain housed together include:
- Frequent aggressive fighting that escalates over time, rather than diminishes
- Visible injuries such as gashes from antlers
- A buck that seems stressed and fearful, not eating or resting well
- One buck continually chased and bullied by the other
- Attempts to escape the enclosure or hide
If these behaviors are observed, the bucks should be separated. Forcing incompatible bucks to share space will compromise their health and wellbeing.
Special considerations for deer farms
On deer farms where bucks are raised for hunting, keeping males together poses additional challenges. The goal is growing big antlers and heavier body size. Anything that causes bucks undue stress must be minimized.
Some tips for deer farm management include:
- Ample space – 1 buck per 3-5 acres minimum
- Yearling buck groups – House bucks born on the farm together before mature antlers develop
- Rotation system – Rotate bucks into different pens and paddocks every few weeks
- Limiting sight lines – Use solid fencing and shrubs as visual barriers
- Separate feed areas – Allow 50-100 feet between hay racks to prevent crowding
Following these guidelines can reduce aggression and allow bucks to divert energy into growth rather than fighting. However, bucks in neighboring pens will still clash through fences so alterations may be needed over time.
Risks of keeping bucks together
While there are some exceptions, most experts advise against keeping mature bucks together due to the risks. Some key reasons why this practice should be avoided include:
- Inevitable serious injuries or death from fighting
- Chronic stress weakens immune systems and reduces fitness
- Resources are monopolized by the dominant buck
- Subordinate bucks have poor body condition
- Antler development is diminished from disruption
- Danger and liability for handlers trying to intervene
For buck health and safety, separating them is the best policy in most cases. Only experienced deer managers should attempt integration, and always have protocols in place to quickly separate them again if needed.
Bachelor groups
An exception where bucks may tolerate living together is in a bachelor group of males without females present. This naturally happens in the wild before and after the breeding season.
Some key points about bachelor groups include:
- The herd has 3-5 members to distribute aggression
- Members are similar in strength with no extremely dominant buck
- Males are closely related, such as brothers or cousins
- There are no females present to trigger breeding behaviors
- Space and resources are abundant to avoid disputes
Under the right circumstances, a bachelor herd can work. But it requires controlling for factors that spark heightened aggression and monitoring for signs of discord.
Conclusion
The natural biology of white-tailed deer makes it very difficult for two adult male bucks to share territory peacefully. While it may be possible in captive situations with intense management, we cannot override their innate drives. It is best to avoid housing mature bucks together due to the risks of traumatic injuries and chronic stress for the animals involved. With some exceptions, the safest practice is separating bucks into their own enclosures or pens.