A Mule Deer buck and his battle scars – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I saw a handsome but battle scarred Mule Deer buck yesterday walking briskly through a field with his head held high near the Bridger Bay campground on Antelope Island State Park. I never did see his right flank but his left flank had four major gashes that were healing along with one smaller wound.
The Mule Deer are in rut on the island right now and the bucks are on the move looking for does to breed with.
A battle scarred Mule Deer buck – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The drive to mate is so strong in Mule Deer that the bucks will battle to the death and although I am happy to see this buck survived I wonder how his opponent is doing. These bucks are hormone-driven fighting machines during the rut.
This battle scarred Mule Deer buck walked across the road and headed towards Buffalo Point after I took a nice series of images of him. It looks like he will live to fight another day.
I went to the island looking for birds and found a buck.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Mule Deer photos plus facts and information about this species.
What stories those scars must tell. Beautiful capture of this buck. I love the one of him running through the grasses.
Love that his head is held high.
And hope he heals quickly.
Scarred or not, he’s a beautiful animal…I’m glad you didn’t pass the buck… 😉
Boy! Some difference between this guy and the unblemished beauty you photographed before! This one has been through the wars!!! I can’t help but wonder if he fought another buck and those are strike scars or if his opponent was a vehicle…
Great Photo. Do you go out to Antelope every day? I love it out there.
Gorgeous photos of the buck. Mia. He definitely has done some battles.
Thanks Bob!