Buck

Bucks are very promiscuous and many may be attracted to a female prior to her being properly in season. A male will stay close to a doe, guarding her, until after mating has taken place. Several males will be drawn to the vicinity of the doe from different directions and there may be scuffles as the males are intent on trying their luck and keep harassing her.


Fighting, boxing, scratching and biting takes place and the fur often flies, but usually it is the doe who is the aggressor as she tries to fend off their unwanted attentions.

Although they normally live a solitary existence, the bucks themselves have a loose social hierarchy and they are aware of where they stand in the pecking order, so that fighting among themselves is kept to a minimum. . . . Male hares play no part in raising their offspring.

- Jill Mason
The Hare

Images: Jane Ford.