I read an article about this once upon a time but it has been a long time ago and I can't remember where it was from or even if it was a reputable source. Just b/c it was in print doesn't mean it was right either. I think what it said was this.

The number of pellets in the droppings (most of the time) determines if it buck or doe. There are exceptions to the rule the article noted. I'm not sure how they accounted for the various size deer out there or the variety of each species. It would be a nice topic to investigate. I would think that there are too many variables out there. One would have to consider what they are eating to make a fair comparison.

I think the only way to find out the answer to this question would be to have a deer farm where the deer are keep in stalls and each feed a measured amount. Then have a biologist count the pellets each day. My guess would be the bucks do put out more pellets with some of the larger females beating some of the smaller males for pellet count. Sounds like a job for a grad student.

Tifford

Hold Steady