Mystery solved.

[Liquid Amber]

I placed this camera on an old skid trail bordering a 10 acre or so sanctuary to see what was hanging around.

These are the three largest bucks [to date] that passed regularly by the camera.  







I noticed during late October these three spent time poking about in front of the camera providing me with numerous photos of each.  I wasn't using any bait or attractant and assumed they were searching for oak mast.  Went I removed the camera I decided to see what species of oak was attracting the bucks.  I was surprised to find there wasn't an oak anywhere in the area.  

Looking up I smiled as the culprit was revealed.  A large crowned flowering dogwood next to the camera was growing out and over the skid trail and releasing its berries.  I never gave much attention to dogwoods as a food source, but knew deer and other critters would utilize the sweet dogwood berries.  Don't sample them as they are toxic to humans.  

I reviewed the photos once again to make sure the deer weren't browsing some plant but no, they were obviously searching the ground and occasionally picking something up.  I'm not sure I'll ever use this information but for sure will keep it filed in the back of my mind......just in case.  

[LA Trapper]

Nice looking bucks Cliff.  Good information.

Billy

[Bow man]

Great bucks !!!

[Kevin Dill]

The buck pics are nice, but I find the information about the dogwood berries to be particularly interesting. I have eaten/tasted them and they are indeed strange. Thanks!

[Bowwild]

Dogwood browse is higher in calcium than many other species as well.

[TRT]

Thanks for the post.  Those are good looking bucks and that is very interesting information.

[magnus]

Very interesting Cliff. Nice looking bucks

[Phantom67]

good luck on getting a shot on em

[John Scifres]

Nice pics.  You can eat dogwood berries BTW.  They are not poisonous but they are not real good either.

[BOHO]

great pics. Im only an hour and a half away if you need some help.   :D   just kidding bud.  good luck with them !!

[wtpops]

From the Poison Control Center


Non-poisonous berries

Dogwood Tree

A spring flowering tree which bears pink or white flowers. In the fall, bright red berries appear at the point where the leaves meet the branches. Dogwood berries are not toxic when eaten, but there have been reports of rashes after skin contact with the tree.

[Liquid Amber]

Lots of Cornus Species.  "Flowering dogwood" or Cornus Florida is the species I mentioned in the beginning.  There is significant literature noting it to be toxic [toxic is relative] to humans and possibly dogs.  Those who stated they had sampled C. florida said it didn't harm them, but the berries were not pleasant.

The NRCS warns it is poisonous to humans.  I don't know personally.    

http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_cofl2.pdf

[Liquid Amber]

Oh, the first buck, a possible P&Y class 10 point and the last buck, a pretty nice 8 point are well on their way to making another year.  I've not captured a photo of the 7 point since end of October.  He may have made a mistake on the adjoining properties.  

It sure is tempting to hunt the edge of the sanctuary.  









But....they still must continue to avoid me during January.  So far that hasn't been much of a problem.  

[Mint]

Good luck!, hope you get a chance at one of them.