"LOVE IS IN THE AIR"

Mule Deer - 7 Photos

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It's early November and love is definitely in the air for the Mule Deer in Alberta.

Although barely visible through the thickets & shrubbery, there were two mature male bucks resting & digesting at opposite ends of the meadow, each with his own doe. 

As the afternoon drew in, one doe roused to her feet & began grazing, but not before relieving herself close to her buck. It was somewhat amusing seeing the buck turn to watch the doe & then after a few seconds and with a bit of straining, rose to his feet, walked over and sniffed the wet patch of grass. There was a lift of the head, a lip curl & obviously a "no go" as the buck returned to his reclining position (Photo #1 & Photo #2). 

In rut, male deer will curl back their top lips to expose what is commonly referred to as the "Jacobson's organ", situated in the roof of their mouths. The retracting of the top lip allows for the transportation of the female's pheromones into the Jacobson's organ for determination by the buck as to whether the female is ready to mate.

For this buck, it seemed to be a question of "I don't think so but I suppose I should check it out just in case" and then "false alarm". But no matter, where the doe goes the buck will sure to follow. And across the meadow, over the creek and into the adjacent meadow, there was more lip curling (Photo #3 through Photo #7), some chasing off of much younger males (probably 2 to 3 year olds). The boldness & foolishness of youth. And finally a return to reclining in the grass for the pair.

There still is time and opportunity, although female deer are only in heat for approximately 30 hours. The fact that the doe ties herself closely to the buck demonstrates an amicable arrangement. In fact, last year I did witness an actual mating. Just prior to the buck taking "the position", having pursued the doe into the meadow, the doe turned, nuzzled the buck and took some time to check out his "underparts" before consummating the joining. Thus demonstrating a consensual relationship. The doe will not breed until she is ready.

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5

PHOTO #6

PHOTO #7