Dan - I' m not sure if you were looking for an answer from me ....... but I like your question - and logic - BUT I think the correct answer is " Kind of - Yes - the Dominant buck stays" .

What a sucky answer - Yes

But - I think its smarter to be more realistic. Dispersal for Bucks older than 2-1/2 has been shown to average less than 10%. (compared to roughly 80%+ for 1-1/2 yr old deer).

The problem is that - the Dominant Buck " expands his range" 3-5 fold - during the Rut - and tends to do so BEFORE the other " hopefuls" in the area. SO - In September - sightings of the DOMINANT buck usually decrease - even though he is the dominant buck for the area.

The important thing to consider when pondering Deer Social Dynamics -is that it is a dynamic, ever changing situation - where top bucks are killed and or up-ended as " dominant" - In even the best hierarchy - the situation can become a " free-for-all" at the peek of the rut.