"TUFFY"

Mule Deer (Male & Female) - 7 Photos

I've named this Mule Deer buck - "Tuffy". He should always be easy to identify from others due to the slice missing from his left ear. Unlike antlers which are shed each year and other wounds that heal, this ear will be forever distinctive (Photo #1 through Photo #3). 

I assume it was damaged in one of the scuffles with other males in the Autumn competitions for the does. And it  certainly gives him that tough guy look, particularly with a great set of complementary antlers.

And with the victor, comes the doe who, of course, still has the say when mating will or if, takes place. This doe was keeping just in front of the buck, no longer running away but maintaining some space (Photo #4 through Photo #6). And by all appearances as she had stopped to urinate in front of him (Photo #7), mating should take place quite soon. 

So this "bad boy" will probably be passing on those great genes to the next generation.

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5

PHOTO #6

PHOTO #7