Took these pics back in Dec 2018 in South Texas. Two bucks squared off and then a 3rd one decided to set them straight on who was the boss.
This dominant buck at the feeder did not like the bucks in the background squaring off that morning.

The fight was intense and with attitude...but short as most fights are when a 3rd buck is involved. You can see the dominant buck starting his charge at the two bucks fighting.

It's one of my favorite scenes when some young stud comes out all swolt up and intimidates the younger bucks only have ol' salty come out and set things straight.

Pure greatness. The winner gets the prize.

Pretty cool. When the rut starts getting strong you need to watch scenes like this carefully.
It has been observed many times that while two dominant bucks are going at it a younger/smaller buck may come in to watch and sneak over and get the job done with a doe that the two are fighting over.

Papa set them straight.

Outstanding!

Actually he was not the "Papa" of that area...this guy was. Same morning only about 30 minutes after the pics above.

He showed up when he wanted to

Absolutely stunning photography

It is amazing what the smashing of bone together gets the attention of at that time of the year. Drags all sorts of bucks out of the brush in a hurry. Had it happen at home last year in November on a drizzly and cold afternoon. Went from 3 or 4 younger bucks to over 12 in about 15 minutesafter the first fight broke out.

that old stud is a beauty. How old his he?

Body shape and size says either 5 or 7(more 7 though) to me for the start or first week of the rut there in mid to late December. He was to big for me to shoot even if he was not broken up...so I just took pictures and did not pay much attention to how old he was.

Incredible pictures and bucks!

Fantastic pictures once again stxr!

I really enjoy your pictures!!! Why was the buck too big to shoot?

Thanks. This is a very large ranch that has a very intense culling/management program and the lower end of each age class is taken out. 1 and 2 yr old buck need to have a minimum point count or above to stay. 3yr old or older bucks need to have a minimum point count, a "look" they like(ie...tine length, spread, mass etc) and minimum B&C score to stay...if not then they fall into the management buck level...which is what I am there to shoot. They shoot very few upper end trophy deer as a result so you see a lot of those type bucks.

Great pictures!

Kind of like on Tombstone when Kurt Russell shows Billy Bob Thorton's character to the door. lol

Great pic sequence!

Oh but you forget that culling does not work! And intense management where you cannot just shoot any buck you want is no fun! Lol

As usual awesome pictures - love to catch good fights on camera

Great pics

Great pics as always