Rut Activity

[Mayfly]

Anyone seen any?? I was out last week and didn't see any. The last five years have been very consistent with activity on or around Oct. 25 and escalating into November. Just wondering what people are seeing. Thanks

[Guest]

Funny you should ask.......Last eve around 10 thirty I stepped out the back door to rid myself of a used barley pop and was startled by two deer at the foot of the big apple tree. I have been known to provide sustainance on occaision, so my presence didn't seem to bother them. There was no hanky-panky, but the buck, a nice six, was tagging along closely. I think it's too early for that kind of behavior and am going to discourage it for another 3 weeks.
TALKOOOOOOOOOO!

[mabr]

had a 6 pt 2 nights ago come into the grunt call grunitng the whole way was only 10 yards , looking for the source was kewl

[bmc]

I saw a borderline P & Y 8 point during my afternoon/evening bowhunt on 10-15. He was headed my way but got side tracked at about 40 yards when a basket rack 6 ptr decided he wanted to have a sparring match. It was awesome to watch, but needless to say they didn't close to within 25 yards, which is my comfortable shooting range. I saw another decent 8 ptr on the morning hunt of 10-16, same property, but different stand. I only had my Primos can call and they paid no attention to it. Did some scouting on 10-16 and saw a few fresh rubs, but no scrapes yet. The bucks are starting to get fired up though!!!! I wish the weather would stay cool 30's and 40's, I think that would help.
bmc

[Mayfly]

It seems as though we may be on schedule. The bucks do seem to be out of their bachelor groups and getting very territorial. I saw some very aggressive rubs last week. It's a pretty good time to try to rattle if you have never tried before.

[Insp Gadget]

Was out 10/18 and we did find one scrape less than 24 hrs old. Couple of rubs. I don't know if anyone else reads of agrees with the researcher that is quoted in some of the hunting mags about the moon cycle controling the estrus cycle, but it is quite convincing.

His research (based on observation both wild and farmed deer and autopsy results of road killed doe fetus') show that the estrus begins 5 days after the second full moon following the fall equinox. Hormone peak between the 1st and 10th of Nov, and if the 2nd full moon falls in or within 2 days of that, the rut activity is much greater than normal. This last happened in 2000 (11/11) and our woods was totally tore up that year. This year it is 11/8! Should see lots of great sign. Chasing is the week before and scraping the week before that. Look for things to heat up soon! The actual breeding which means a stop to everything else should start around the 13th.

Sure hope he's right because that means the big boys should be running around like crazy men for opener. (of course, weather and pressure will effect things inspite of biology)

Good luck to all!

Gadget
"there's nothing wrong with another coat rack!"

[Fisher Dave]

I have been watching deer have sparring match's for more than a month ... no serious fights.

I have only seen a few rubs this year, no scrapes yet. I agree with an earlier post ... we need the cool weather to settle back in.

I believe the moon cycle has something to do with it too.

[JBK]

Was down SE this week-end and did find one scrape line consisting of three seperate scrapes, but also saw three bucks within 75 yds. of each other showing absolutely no aggression towards each other.

[doubleUcubed]

Daylight hours are the driving force behind the rut. It's referred to as Photoperiodism. This isn't to say that there are not other factor's such as weather which may play a small role in the timing/intensity of the rut. Quite a bit of research has been done on this and it makes for some interesting reading! Good Luck!

[barebackjack]

I saw my first sign of any type of rut that might be going on right now and that was last night on my way home from work I seen about a 4-6 pointer not but three feet off the road nose buried in the ground walkin right along next to the traffic, I'm not sure if that was a sign of an upcoming rut but it made me think. I seen a pair of huge bucks and two different groups of three bucks, that was until the farmers started cutting the first alfalfa field, i havent seen a buck again until last night, think its been over a month and a half since the first field was cut.Well anyhow, heres hopin

[jt24]

Just got back from hunting up near Cass Lake and the bucks are starting to get more active. Saw lots of rubs and a few scrapes. A small six pointer showed up behind me out of nowhere with his nose to the ground. Not the size i really like to see but i wasnt able to get a shot anyways. WAY, WAY to warm for my liking. Only brought one small spike home out of three guys. The big ones are mostly nocternal so the rut is the only way to get them and we went to early for that.

[fivebucks]

Saw a few rub lines and a couple of scrapes up in the LOW area so it's starting to happen. It was fun out with the bow over the last weekend. Didn't see too much but missed a doe that was milling around with a couple of fawns. I had them out in front of me for about 20 minutes at least. It was in the woods and they were just feeding and not going anywhere too fast. They would venture away and I'ld call them back near with some fawn bleats. The doe finally pranced towards her fawn and I rushed the shot as she came through a clear area. It was fun to see and I didn't have to work up a sweat dragging out a deer.

[Mayfly]

Well, it's 10-21 and what I believe to be the eve of some very good Bow Hunting. I've been bow hunting for five years now and have always been lucky these next few days. It keeps getting better too. I hate when the rifle season rolls around because its seems as though its about to really peak and then i'm out. I do rifle hunt but somewhere else. I get really attached to my Bow Deer and I get jealous and angry knowing that a bunch of yahoo's are going to come into the area and shoot them all!! Oh well. I will be doing some agressive hunting the next few days and I hope to post back with some good news!! Maybe I can get a picture posted on here. The hunt starts tomorrow evening! Wish me luck......Mayfly

[JBK]

Mayfly,
I know exactly how you feel,I spend alot of time bowhunting a farm down SE. Was frustrated to learn last year that alot of the smaller bucks I was passing on were shot during slug season. Oh well what do you do? These are the same hunters that gripe about the lack of quality bucks but but wouldn't dream of passing on a buck of any size. Good luck to you and I'll be watching for your picture!