MCR Monthly Newsletter
What’s Hatchn’ing at Merrill Creek Reservoir with Ranger Rich
About the Author: Richard Dansen Sr.
Rich has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in zoology and wildlife management. Rich has been with Merrill Creek Reservoir since 1995 where he teaches environmental education.
You can find Rich each weekend at the MCR visitors center talking about the wonderful wildlife and habitats of MCR. Stop by to say hi!
“In writing this monthly newsletter, I hope to inform and educate readers about some of the wonderful and fascinating events going on in nature at Merrill Creek Reservoir each month. Enjoy!”
– Ranger Rich
November
White-tail deer…… The shorter days trigger a physiological change in White-tail deer. This is the breeding season (also known as the RUT). The word RUT is translated from the Latin word “rugire” means to roar!
Whitetails peak breeding season begins about the second or third week of November. Young Bucks (males) mature by their second autumn. Hormonal changes trigger antler growth in males. Antlers which begin to emerge from two platforms of bone known as pedicels; what emerges is solid bone with no marrow.
From small fuzzy buttons antlers may grow as much as 1 inch per day! A soft velvet like fuzz covers the entire antler. It is this velvet that contains blood vessels which deliver minerals and salts that are responsible for the rapid growth of the antler. The eventual size of the antlers is influenced by several factors like genetics and the quality and amount of food (nutrition) within the buck’s habitat.
Buck Rub on Tree
Eventually hormone levels drop and the blood vessels in the velvet begin to constrict and cause the velvet to dry up and peel off. Bucks rub off this loose velvet on branches and saplings (buck rubs) marking their territories with scent glands between their antlers; announcing availability to females (does) and delineating their territories to warn off rival males if necessary, competing males will use the size of their antlers to intimidate or head butt rival males. A buck may mate with as many as 8 does during the rut.
Unlike permanent horns, white-tails antlers are shed at the end of the rut every year (usually by the end of January.) They will be regrown again next year.
Gnaw Mark on Deer Antler
These shed antlers do not go to waste, they are important sources of calcium for small mammals like mice, squirrels, and porcupines that gnaw on them. Some old antlers may be found on our children’s touch table in the second classroom for educational purposes.
Exercise caution while driving as during the rut, a buck’s motives are driven by elevated hormone levels. They may dart out in front of your car in pursuit of a female or chasing off a rival male.
Please be careful, enjoy the preserve and take pictures and leave only footprints.
Thank You!
Ranger Rich
