A lot of talk about sparring!

[StealthHtr22]

There has been a lot of talk about sparring or seeing bucks go at it. The thing is, in how many of these cases are they mature bucks?From postings and own experience, I haven't actually seen mature bucks fight until mid to late October at the earliest.It's exciting when the sparring begins because it get us anxious to be in the woods more often but I don't believe, even with the reports, that mature bucks are getting in on it. Plus, I don't even believe they'd find it curious, if they're not doing it, they know it's just the kids getting in there fun before the old men move in and take what's rightfully their's.

I'm going to wait to rattle.

Any thoughts or opinions on this?

[Bowfreak4life]

As far (sparring) goes it is just that, during the pre rut most of the bucks are trying to establish a certin order, a pecking order if you will, Most of the bigger more dominent bucks arent needing to establish anything, there fore you won't see to many of them playing around, by this time the mature bucks are awaer of what is comming and I belive they are more concerned with trying to build up the protine reserves for the upcomming rut. Now in my experience during the rut is when you will find the big guys going at it. This is what they care about. I am a firm beliver in rattling during the rut, pre rut, not so much.

[Talondale]

Generally agree. Mostly it's just "stretching there legs" so to speak before things get serious. Just light tickling of the tine ends, maybe a little pushing, but nothing all out. I saw two medium (2 1/2 years or 3 1/2 tops) bucks lightly sparring in my fields about a week ago. It's not the real thing.

As far as rattling, that depends on your area and how you rattle. If they are only lightly sparring and you want to rattle I'd do it lightly as well. Around here I've found that rattling only brings in the does, if anything. Most places I hunt they don't respond at all. Depends on deer population makeup and hunting pressures.