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There’s no sure-fire indication of a deer’s sex in its tracks. But if you take a close look, you will find some clues.
It happens all the time: a hunter looks at a deer track that’s a little bigger than the ones around it and says, “Now, there’s a nice buck.” Well, not necessarily. The size of a deer’s track is not a very reliable indication of the animal’s sex. A deer’s hooves continue to grow throughout its life and are worn down by contact with the ground. An old doe may leave a larger track than a middle-age buck. And a doe that spends most of her time on soft soil may leave a larger track than a same age buck that lives over hard, rocky soil. Still, if you find a track that’s huge compared to others in the same area, it’s probably worth your attention. It may belong to an old doe, but if it belongs to a buck, it’s probably a good buck. Also, keep in mind that old tracks often appear misleadingly large. Fresh tracks have sharp, distinct edges, while old tracks show edges that are dull and vague.
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