Being new to Deer hunting I have a few questions about Deer behavior both in the rut and non ruting cycles. Most of the time when I see Deer they seem to be by themselves both Bucks and Does. Driving down the highway on back roads or in fields this is what I notice. Do they generally herd up both Bucks and Does or does the Buck tend to be the loner? Does the mating season move them into herds,the Does, and this draws multiple Bucks together as they compete for the Does? When hunting is it a common thing to see many Does coming at you with a Buck or Bucks trailing them or do they tend to be seen alone and scattered as the norm? Thanks

Bucks are indeed loners, it's simply the nature of the beast. Other than the occasional bachlor group suring the summer months when you may have a group of bucks that feed together in the soybeans or alfalfa.... bucks are friendly towards each other. Does generally travel just with their fawns for the year.... until late season when bitter cold temps, snow and limited food supplies will concentrate Does on these food sources... this is the time when you may find large groups of deer using small isolated food plots or Ag fields.

Thanks for the insight,it must have been a question not many were led to comment on. I know very little about these amazing animals so anything I can learn helps me know what to expect.

I've noticed that the number of replys to serious questions have dramatically fallen on this site. It seems more would rather argue about "my bow is better that your bow" threads. Don't give up. Also, try some other forums as well. There's a ton of info out there to help you understand what I believe to be one of the most awesome big game animals in the country. Best of luck to ya and please feel free to contact me anytime you'd like. There are few things I like to do more than chat about these wonderful creatures!

Bucks tend to be loners for the majority of the hunting season (Sept-Jan) - except during the rut when they will search for estrous does and pursue the ones that they find. The mating season does not herd them up but rather a single doe entering estrous will attract pursuit by one or more bucks. When this happens, she will usually not remain with the rest of the does. Even though the bucks are not herded up with the does, they will be nearby.

It is common to see multiple does together in hunting scenarios - especially around preferred food sources. There may be other does around that you don't see when driving by. Yearling bucks are driven from these doe groups before the rut to prevent in-breeding. This partially explains the high mortality rate of wandering, young bucks.

From a buck hunting perspective, it is always wise not to shoot does around the rut - if your goal is to shoot a buck. One of the best things that you can see during the rut is a single lone doe walking briskly past your stand. Don't spook her, let her walk and be ready for the pursuing buck.

These are general statements about a complex animal. There are always exceptions.

its how you learn their patterns,

generally does travel together,
and may find the lonely buck following their scent,
when hunting and you see does moving, be patient and on most occasions the buck will follow,
every scenerio is different,