Why avoid battle?

Since battles only erupt when bucks are of the same strength, both could be badly hurt. It´s in both bucks' interest to settle rank without battle.

Marking territory

A buck marks his territory. With his antlers he tears down bark and twigs from shrubs and kicks up dirt from the ground. He leaves fragrant secretions from glands in the forehead and on the hoofs. It is all signals to other bucks, but could also attract a female.