In the last four years there have been several detailed, basic studies on buck dispersal. We've always known that young bucks disperse, and we thought we knew why, but the details were lacking. No more.

Let me first present the basics and then discuss why they are important to you. Previous research showed that between 50-80 percent of all yearling bucks leave their natal home range in the fall, and never return. We've always felt that the does drove their buck sons away just prior to the rut as they got ready to mate.

New work done on the eastern shore of Maryland suggests that there may be another cause for dispersal. They radio-collared young bucks and found that indeed, in September and October, 70 percent dispersed around 3-5 miles from their birth home range. OK, nothing new there. Then they implemented quality deer management (QDM) on the property (shoot lots of does, shoot no button bucks, let the yearling bucks walk) and after several years found that dispersal rates lowered to 55 percent.

Interesting, but why? Well, the researchers believe that before QDM all the little bucks became aggressive towards each other as the rut approached and this forced some to leave. After QDM you have a lot more older bucks and they dominate, and there are less aggressive interactions between the little bucks. Actually when you get some older age bucks in the structure, there are less aggressive interactions among all bucks. The little guys know who the bosses are. With less aggression, fewer yearling bucks disperse.

New Pennsylvania research, again using radio-collared bucks, shows two interesting facts. First, roads and rivers tend to stop dispersing bucks. We know that deer will cross roads and swim rivers. However, a number of dispersing bucks set up their new home range just prior to a 2-lane, paved road. Same with rivers. And interestingly, once a buck sets up such a home range they almost never cross that highway.

Researchers also found that the average distance for Pennsylvania dispersers was around 5 miles. However, the more forests, the shorter the dispersal distance. More open agricultural lands, longer dispersal distance. I'm not sure how either of these last two items from Pennsylvania help you as a hunter, but it is neat stuff to know.

There are things about dispersal, however, that can help you either as a hunter or as a manager of your hunting property? At first blush, the Maryland study might lead one to believe that they can keep more yearling bucks on their property by practicing QDM.. Maybe, but remember, as dispersing yearling bucks leave your property, other yearling bucks will come to your property. So, the real question is why do dispersing bucks set up new home ranges where they do? What is it about the new spot that makes them decide this is where I want to live for the next few years? We don't know the answer to that, but quality habitat is almost assuredly one reason.

So, if you have quality feed, mast, food plots or agricultural crops, on your hunting lands, you may end up with more bucks. New research also shows that good sanctuary cover is critical to holding bucks on small properties. Thick, dense cover where no one ever goes is the key. No stands, no ATVs, no noise, no human odor. Just good thick safe cover.

If you have scattered 10-20 acre plots of sanctuary cover on your property, you will hold more and better bucks. You will also provide a place where those yearling bucks that just arrived, can feel safe during the subsequent gun season. And apparently if you practice QDM strategies, you will get more mature bucks, and when you do, fewer yearling bucks will disperse from your property.

Note: Can you make a buck sanctuary….YES! A ten acre regenerating clear-cut that you stay out of qualifies. So get interactive on your hunting property and practice some whitetail science.

You can email Dr. Dave about speaking engagements through his web site at www.knowhunting.com. Dr. Dave is also working on a new deer book that will feature the latest deer research and how it can improve your success. It will be available in a few months… watch for it.

Editors note: Dr Dave Samuel is not only one of my favorite people in the industry but may be the best whitetail educator we have. I recently sat at a professional deer conference with Dave. Dozens of America's best whitetail scientists gave their research papers to an audience of peers. One after another they gave their papers….and Dr. Dave would lean over and whisper…he was my student. Samuel has had a resounding impact on conservation and whitetail management in our nation. >>>>>Wade Nolan