I would think smarter in different ways. Does are raising babies and finding food to feed the herd as well as trying to stay alive. A buck has a target on his back from the time he has 3inch spikes on his head. Hes just trying to stay alive. Ive always thought bucks were more scared than smart. Seems like to me they stay in a mode similar to a frightened juvenile horse, if youve ever been around one of those. That is except when theyre in rut.
Good point , if a buck and a doe are on the same property where does are sacred but every buck is far game. If a buck lives to 5 he's probably been in bachelor groups where their buddies were shot , he becomes very reclusive and only moves at night , but the older does move freely when and where they want . I've hunted in rugged terra for nearly 50 years , I can say the older bucks will bed in much more secluded locations than a doe group.
Your example of the juvenile horse makes me think of turkeys, many will say how smart the wild turkey is . I've heard some of the finest turkey hunters in North Bama say they are not smart , they are just scared of everything and hyper cautious.
Now I guess the question is being smarter and harder to kill one in the same?
