Pronghorn buck chasing doe, midsummer?

[Paul in Idaho]

Twice this summer I have been watching herds of antelope when a buck has singled out a doe and chased her full speed. These weren't brief chases, either. They looped through the herd a few times, with the other members stepping out of the way. One time the buck chased the doe in a straight line for close to a mile before I lost sight of them in a shallow canyon.

The rut is still several weeks away. Do any of you know what might have caused these chases?

 

[shoots-straight]

Horny?

 

[Idahoarcheryhunter]

When you get an itch... You scratch it I guess :hump: