Gender ID from tracks

[Doc]

Is there really any way to identify a buck from a doe simply by looking at a track or series of tracks? Or is there anyway to tell that a track was probably made by a buck?

[Grouse]

Yes, you can tell if you know what to look for. It's easier to tell an old buck from a doe, than a young buck from a doe. There are many things you need to look for that add up to a buck track for sure.

Evidence it's a buck track include these things. The size of the track, (the bigger it is, the more likely a buck). The deeper the track, (heavy bucks leave deep prints in the ground). If it is more rounded, than pointed at the front (bucks wear the front of their hoofs by scraping more). If the track moves in a straight line, rather than meandering and stopping a lot. If the tracks point out away from the center line rather than align parallel with it. If you see a urine stain in the snow that is off to the sides rather than in the middle of the tracks. If you see antler tip marks in the snow where the deer put it's nose to the ground. And any other obvious signs above the ground, like antler rubs or broken twigs where a deer moved through dense brush.

Determining if a track was made by a buck or doe is a preponderance of evidence more than just what you see in one or two tracks. You just need to know what signs and evidnce to look for as you follow the tracks. There are some good books on the subject. Check out books by the Benoit Family of Vermont. They only hunt big bucks and they only hunt by tracking. They are considered the best there is.

Following the tracks and taking that buck, is a whole nother chapter in the book of tracking deer. And it takes much more experience and skill than just being able to identify the track as a buck. Good trackers have spent a lifetime learning the skills, and often they had an expert for a mentor. Tracking deer is an art that is almost lost amongst today's deer hunters.

[SteveNY]

Great post Grouse

[Deerthug]

Great tips Grouse! Thanks!

[Four Season Whitetail's]

100% by looking at a single track.... Never happen.. Lucky guess mabey. Put the whole puzzle together.. Pretty simple!!!

[nyantler]

Depending on what kind of buck you are talking about the tracks can tell you exactly what you are on. Big bucks leave big tracks... stagger is the most telltale sign... the distance between the right and left side... bucks have bigger chests than does and bigger bucks have a very wide stagger and much longer gate... the longer you follow a track the easier it is to tell how nice of a buck it is... I can sometimes tell the spread and tine length on a buck just by observing signs along the track. When a big buck feeds in the snow sometimes he leaves antler marks... sometimess just the tips of the beam , other times if he tips his head he will leave an impression of one side in the snow. Bucks also know exactly how wide their rack is and know what it will fit between... if you are following a buck that consistantly avoids passing through trees that are say 20" apart... it usually means his rack is wider than 20 inches... there are other signs to look for as well.

As for small bucks which are closer in size to a doe... you can tell the sex by the placement of urine stains... a buck pees farther up than a doe when urinating so his pee stain will be forward in the track as opposed to behind the track for a doe... also during rutting season a bucks urine is a deep amber color, a does will be bright yellow.

A single track in the mud would be nearly impossible to tell without guessing.

http://www.nyantler-...etail-deer.html

Edited February 19, 2012 by nyantler

[Doc]

I knew this would be a good topic. Lots of good info here ..... thanks guys.

[nyantler]

Another good sign that you are on a buck track is that most bigger bucks during hunting season tend to be loners and travel off the beaten path... they will travel in thicker cover as well... a good size single track away from regular deer trails I'm gonna take every time... usually I'm not disappointed.

[Deerthug]

That's for sharing the tips Joe.