In a rut; almost

The rut is not as yet underway but the bucks are out of the forest and starting to gather their females for the mating season. This is the period when they become a major problem as the bucks create damage to the trees and shrubs through antler rubbing and marking their territory with aggressive bush bashing.
This buck Rusa deer was quite happily grazing near the house until he caught sight of me and made a hasty retreat with the few females that were nearby.