HORMONAL HAVOC
It all started this past spring, when you found that pair of massive sheds in the woods. From there, you scouted heavily to try to learn more about the buck that accompanied those antlers. You set up some scouting cameras and looked at pictures all summer — your excitement growing as you viewed bucks growing their antlers. Finally, you catch him on camera, just before hunting season. His velvet is shedding, revealing antlers just like the beautiful set you found in the spring.
Leading up to hunting season, you begin seeing scrapes and rubs around your trail cameras. Could it be him? As it gets closer to the rut you capture more images of the buck, and you see his body size grow, his neck thicken, and finally you see the trophy buck behind the antlers. Nothing can stop you from getting into the stand opening weekend.
When that day finally arrives, you get in the stand, and not too long after, you hear the crash of antlers smashing together. You wonder if that’s your guy — surely he’s the dominant buck in the area.
The season progresses and you still haven’t seen him. The rut is on and you see bucks chasing does, forgoing food and expending energy to maximize their chance of passing their genes to the next generation. As the season comes to a
