If the bucks have much to do with the rut timing and they are traveling long distances to breed, wouldnt the rut eventually stabilize across the state? It would seem it has more to do with the more territorial does. Just a thought
That’s exactly what I’m saying man……..The Bankhead example is what I using as evidence to back that up……If bucks were influencing when does go into estrous then how does Bankhead hold stable??.......It could only be through does, right??...…….Now, if we say that’s true then take it step farther and tell me what separates where these “doe populations” exist and overlap…..
You would/ could have the same bucks breeding nov through Jan, since all they are waiting on is a mature doe to kick it off. It would also explain seeing a more intense rut in the area. Drawing more bucks in, while you still have the smaller number of doe in estrous at that time. By default, competition would be higher. Now THAT would be a solid theory. No real hard line. Just less intense rut noticed the further you get away from the core of the smaller genetic pool..... less competition. In my mind that's what makes areas like that special, more mature bucks pulled into a smaller area, for a small window of time. My .02
