Male deer, or bucks, use their antlers primarily to communicate dominance and establish social hierarchy within their herds, according to recent studies.
Research shows that larger antlers often indicate maturity and help bucks assert their status during interactions. During the breeding season, bucks use their antlers to posture and spar as they compete for access to does.
Because body size and antler size are closely linked, it can be difficult to determine whether it is the antlers or the overall size of the buck that deters younger males. As bucks age, sparring matches can become more intense, sometimes resulting in injuries.
Photographer Joe Mac Hudspeth Jr. captured images illustrating these behaviors.
