Key Deer Rut

It is Key Deer Rut season. The rut is a period when the biggest and strongest male (stag) rounds up a group of females (hinds) for mating. Of course every other male deer wants to do the same, but there's only so many females to go around.

In order to maintain control over a group of females the stag must constantly drive away rivals. The stag announces his superiority over other males by constantly bellowing. Sometimes shouting is not enough, and when contenders approach the females they need to be chased off. Ocasionally fights between males can break out, and this can lead to some serious clashing of those antlers.

This is also the time when humans are sometimes threatened. If you see an antlered Key Deer run across the road, while you are driving, slow down and watch for the stronger stag who will be chasing the first out of his territory.

You can check out a couple of Key Deer battles here.