How To Tell When The Rut Is Really On In Your Hunting Area [TIP: TARSAL GLAND]

How To Tell When The Rut Is Really On For The Dominant Bucks In Your Particular Area.

It is said to be the most important gland in deer communication. Located mid-way up inside the hind legs, the tarsal gland is a subcutaneous organ that is most active during the Rut.

As bucks urinate and rub these glands together, the bacteria on the hair produces the all-too-familiar strong, musky scent.

Older, more mature dominant bucks tend to rub-urinate more often resulting in a larger, more saturated tarsal gland.

Antler size aside, if you are glassing a buck with a dark, oily and overly saturated tarsal gland, chances are you are looking at the dominant, mature buck of the area you are hunting in.

When fully saturated in a dark brown or black color, the Whitetail Tarsal Gland is a clear sign the Rut is on!

Whitetail Buck Tarsal Gland | Photo: Carlos Riojas

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Carlos Riojas is the Creator of WildBuck and contributor and editor to various entities in the outdoor industry. He was fortunate to be introduced to hunting and fishing at a very young age where he grew up in a small rural town just southwest of San Antonio, Texas. He enjoys the beauty, serenity and excitement that is had in the wild waters and woods of Texas. His passions are hunting, archery, fly fishing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and wildlife photography. His favorite animal is the Whitetail Deer.