The terminology used to identify a male deer varies widely based on the animal’s species, age, and geographical location. The Cervidae family includes over 60 species, and specific names are used to describe the male, female, and young. This variation means a single animal may be correctly referred to by several different terms, which represent specific biological characteristics used by biologists and hunters.
The Primary Terminology
The two most common names for an adult male deer are “buck” and “stag,” and their use depends largely on the deer’s size and origin. “Buck” is the general term most frequently applied to the smaller or medium-sized deer species, particularly in North America. This name is used for male White-tailed deer, Mule deer, and Fallow deer, regardless of their antler size. The term “buck” also applies to males of other species outside of the deer family, such as male rabbits and goats.
“Stag” is reserved for the mature male of the larger deer species, especially the Red Deer found in Europe. A stag is typically a fully grown male, often over five years old, that has reached peak physical maturity and antler development. While “stag” and “buck” can overlap regionally, using “stag” generally implies a larger, more fully developed male animal. This distinction often relates to the deer’s genus, with Cervus species (like Red Deer) being referred to as stags.
Terminology Based on Age and Development
A male deer’s name changes as it progresses through its life stages, offering more specific information about its maturity. A newly born deer of either sex is called a “fawn,” a stage that lasts until it is roughly six to twelve months old. Male fawns begin to develop small antler nubs called “pedicles” during this time, leading to the term “button buck” just before the first birthday.
After its first year, the young male is generally referred to as a “yearling,” describing a deer that is one to two years old. During this period, the male’s first set of antlers emerges; if these antlers are unbranched, the deer is called a “spike” or “spike buck.” Once a male reaches maturity, usually around four to five years of age, and has developed complex antlers, it is then referred to simply as a “mature buck.”
Terminology Based on Species
For the largest members of the Cervidae family, neither “buck” nor “stag” is used; instead, the male is called a “bull.” This convention is applied to the truly massive species, like the Moose and the Elk (known as Wapiti in North America). These animals adopt the same terminology used for cattle, with the female being a “cow” and the young a “calf.”
The use of “bull” reflects the immense size and physical characteristics of these species, which can weigh over a thousand pounds. Caribou and Reindeer males are also often referred to as “bulls,” despite being smaller than Moose or Elk. This terminology likely arose from their large, bovine-like appearance.