This sequence began with the small buck pawing the ground in the field near several does. Then the Large buck came into the field and approached the small buck with his hair raised, tail tucked, and ears laid back. I was sure they were about to fight. Instead the large buck came along side the small buck and side stepped toward the small buck until the small buck gave ground. The Large buck did this several times then just relaxed and started feeding on the grass. The small buck then pushed his antlers against the large bucks antlers a few times. The large buck pushed back a couple of times but nothing serious ever happened. A few minutes later they seemed to be best of friends.
Photographed in Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.