Q I have read many articles that say that deer do not inbreed. Every article I’ve read cites does driving off their male offspring, but what about doe fawns? If a 3½-year-old dominant buck breeds a doe, and she has two doe fawns, the following breeding season the dominant buck (now 4½ years old) could breed his own daughters since neither the dominant buck or does leave the territory. Can you explain?
— R.S., New Prague, Minn.
A You pose a very good question, and there is some validity in your belief. First of all, except during the birthing season, deer do not have a territory — which would be an area from which they would drive all other deer. They do have a home range, which on average — according to the availability of food, water and shelter — is about 2 square miles. The doe does drive off her buck offspring when they are about 15 months old, causing them to disperse for a distance of about 5 miles.
During the rut, bucks increase their travels to about 8 to 10 square miles, which is not far enough for them to get back to the area in which they were born. However, after a buck has established his new home range and becomes dominant, he could conceivably breed with his daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter. But the likelihood of that happening is very slim. Here’s why:
First, most bucks don’t get the chance to live that long because they are so heavily hunted.
Second, the breeding season of deer is synchronous and most does are bred between Nov. 8 and 20 — with the peak occurring between the Nov. 10 and the 17. These dates are for areas of the country north of the 31st degree latitude. Below that line the season is a month or two later, but the basics are the same. With most of the does peaking at the same time, the dominant buck can’t breed more than a few of them.
A buck spends a minimum of three to four days with each estrous doe. He is with her for most of the 36 to 48 hours of her pre-estrous period, the 28 hours of her estrous period and 12 hours or more of her post-estrous period. He spends all of that time with her to ensure that it is his sperm, and his alone, that impregnates the doe. During that time, he will breed her about every four hours — or six times during her fertile period. Then, it’s on to seek another partner. But because he is covering a larger than normal area, there is a good chance he will not be on his home range when any of his offspring come into estrus.
A buck does not take a doe to his home range nor is there a special breeding area. Does are found where the food is, and they don’t leave the area. They often run in large circles when pursued by an amorous buck, because they don’t want to leave their 6- to 7-month-old fawns.
During the peak period of the rutting season, a buck might breed three or four does, and perhaps two or three more during the so-called second rut in December. Even the most
During the rut, bucks increase their travels to about 8 to 10 square miles. This behavior helps prevent bucks from siring offspring with their immediate female relatives.
dominant buck breeds no more than six to eight does per year and perhaps not that many. The stress of being dominant might be too much for that long of a period.
I can’t count the times I’ve seen bucks pass through areas during the rut, never to show up again. Inbreeding in wild deer is not a problem.
Q At one time, pawpaw trees were common on the plains of Michigan. After the early settlers found out the fruit was a staple food of the Native Americans, the trees were eliminated. I am planting numerous fruit trees for the deer. Do deer eat the pawpaw fruit even though it is high in acids? If deer do eat the fruit, will the fruit hold until the freeze?
— R.H., North Street, Mich.
A From what I’ve read, deer do not eat the fruit, leaves, twigs or bark of the pawpaw tree. However, we don’t have pawpaws in my area, so I have no personal knowledge of them.
I suggest planting apple trees. Deer love the fruit, and it is nutritious. Plus, the fruit will hang on the trees long after frost.
Editor’s note: Have a question? Submit it to: Rue’s Views, 138 Mill Brook Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825.
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