 Females have six @-@ weekly reproductive cycles and are receptive for only a few hours in one day . Thus competition among local bucks is intense . This phenomenon is known as " March madness " as it observed in March as the nights , the bucks ' preferred time for activity , are shorter and thus forces them to be active in the daytime . In addition to dominants subduing subordinates , the female will fight off her numerous suitors if she is not ready to mate . Fights can be vicious and can leave numerous scars on the ears . Hares will stand upright and attack each other with their paws , a practice known as " boxing " , and this activity is usually between a female and a male and not between males as previously believed . When a doe is ready to mate , she will run across the countryside , starting a chase that will test the fitness of the following males . When only the most dominant male remains , the female will stop and allow copulation . 
