deer tracks
 

can you tell by the size of the tracks. if it was made by a buck or doe? i found tracks that were about 4" long with the dew claws and about 2" wide.

RE: deer tracks
 

Not necessarily, although the tracks you found were probably a buck, it isn' t a full proof method. Big mature does can and do have larger tracks than smaller immature bucks so just because it' s a big track doesn' t mean it' s a buck.

There are only two full proof methods to tell buck tracks from doe tracks. The first, is to see the animal making the tracks.

The other is this. When a deer walks, it places it' s back foot(hoove) in the print of the front foot. If the second track falls inside the first track, it' s a buck. A bucks hips are narrower than it' s chest.

Just the opposite for a doe. IF the second or rear track falls outside the front or first track, it' s a doe. A doe' s hips(hind quarter) is wider than it' s chest.

Both buck and doe have dew claws, both buck and doe become heavy animals depending on maturity.

RE: deer tracks
 

I agree with Rob except on one thing. I thought that a does hindquarter was wider than it' s chest in order to have fawns. Correct me if I am wrong.

RE: deer tracks
 

I live in northern Maine where there is often snow during deer season, which aids in tracking. The bucks up here are some real heavyweights......what I look for when deciding if a deer is worth tracking or not is the length and width of the track, how far the deer sinks when it steps, and how far it' s hoofs splay (hence my name). When there is only a few inches of snow, it is generally the bucks that leave dew claw imprints. Also, big bucks tend to drag their feet when walking along, whereas does usually lift their feet clear of the snow when it is not very deep. I often notice that bucks will drip urine as they walk, leaving telltale yellow spots in the snow. Often a big old buck will have cracked hooves, and some even have distinctively deformed hooves, like the one I hunted last season. I will be hunting him this year as well, and I will have no problem singling him out if and when I come across his track.

While these guidelines may not work all the time, they have not failed me yet. In areas where there is a lack of snow during the season, and also where bucks have less body weight, the tracking game will be a bit different.

RE: deer tracks
 

Im sure he meant the does hips are wider than its chest. Bucks hips are narrower.
Absolutey the best indicator

RE: deer tracks
 

Sorry guys, it was a typo....my fingers are too fast for the brain...lol

Of course, when the second step falls outside the first it' s a doe, because a does hind quarter is wider than it' s chest for birthing.......I edited the mistake...

Good catch...;)

RE: deer tracks
 

I agree with rob , and OLMossy. I always thought a does back legs were wider for birthing fawns. But i have always head that a buck will leave the dew claws more then doe. But also it is never a 100% fact on what track is made by what sex of deer.