That is interesting documentation. I have heard of the parallel trail theory, but not witnessed it. The 'buck' trails I have seen are the ones heading looping around bedding areas and traveling along hillsides instead of the top or bottom. I have gottened burned a few times by not hanging my stands far enough down hill when covering pinch points....its not easy making a shot at deer 50+ feet in elevation below you[&:]

I can tell the difference between bucks and does as well w/o antlers. The key is the difference between chests and hindquarters, does have approx the same size of each, while bucks have vastly larger chests. Just looking at the chest itself is sometimes missleading on mature animals.

The ears tho- I never thought of. Good tip!