Status of the Rut?

[BradB]

Thought I'd start a thread regarding the status of the rut. With all the warm weather this fall I am assuming that things are a bit behind schedule? I took a cursory walk through our hunting area (east-central MN near Willow River) and didn't see much buck sign. Normally I can see rubs and sometimes scrapes, but I didn't really see anything. Does anyone else have any reports on what they have been seeing?

[Tyler D]

near brainerd the rut is getting into swing, a few rubs and scrapes, not near what there should be though. However, I did see a big eight following a doe and trying to mount her, and have seen several bucks chasing. I would think by the weekend, things will be getting real strong.

[bigbucks]

In the Long Prairie area, they're just starting to chase from what I've seen. There's starting to be quite a few scrapes showing up too. I haven't seen many rubs. Most of the activity still seems to be at night though.

[Mark Christianson]

Low 60's for temps tomorrow.

dump. Nice for fishing I guess.

We'll be out in the morning and evening with the bows. Not banking on much movement during the day with it being this warm out.

Man, when I was a kid it was blizzards and dump every year. Or maybe I just remember the rotten weather weekends and forgot about the nice warm, comfy days.

[BradB]

Thanks for the reports so far--keep 'em coming!

One of the reasons that I probably saw less sign is that, new this year, we have timber wolves in the area. The farmer who lives next to the property I hunt told me that he's seen them and that they were howling from my favorite hunting spot just Monday night. I walked back there this morning and saw big circular beds--not deer beds. I'm wondering if these aren't wolf beds and that they set up just where I like to.

I'm going to hunt with two decoys on Saturday so it should be interesting to see if I have wolf or deer encounters with them.

[WB make the CUT]

Up North, the bucks are trolling, responding very well to calling, I've seen very few chase's. The rubs and scrapes are in place, looking at the moon my guess, weekend 2 of firearms will be good

good luck to all!

[EXTREME]

I'm with WB on this one. Haven't been out since the weekend but scrapes are becoming more frequent than the previous week. Bucks have been nocturnal in our area, still indicating a little October lull. There should be some bucks trolling this weekend...I hope. Good luck

[T-ProGuy]

Been in the woods with my bow the last three weekends, and the sign continues to get better every week. This last weekend, (north of Brainerd) there were scrapes and rubs EVERYWHERE. Huge scrapes, nonetheless...I mean some were 6 ft. across! I have yet to see anything other than small spike bucks during daylight hours, but have seen some bruisers out chasing does along the roads at night. I plan to get out for one more pre-firearms bowhunt on Friday...hopefully it will be a good one.

[woodview]

Snuck up yesterday after classes to check out the deer woods and walk a grouse woods. Scrapes everywhere now. Saw lots of little bucks roaming about. Saw three mature bucks w/in 5 minutes at dusk and all of them had their noses on a doe. Watched a doe stop at a scrape, hunch up and pee.

Hoping it's going strong enough that the big boys are roaming during the day.

[Stratosman]

Sign has increased, daytime movement has not. Little moving during daytime hours still a ways to go till full out pandamonium I believe. Will hit it tonigh as well as all day tomorrow, then I have to let the gun hunters have it, at least only for two days.

[Ole #1]

We've been having some cool nights, but a litte warm during the day. The temps will drop a little this weekend and the lack of moon should help too. I'm guessing the deer should be moving on Saturday.

[ChuckN]

All I know is I can't wait!

Fresh scrapes everywhere, a new moon and cold for the weekend. Even 2"+ of snow a possibility up north. Perfect ingredients for an excellent rut IMO.

Good luck and be safe!

[Johnny_Namakan]

The warm weather shouldn't affect the rut very much. The warm weather may affect the movement of the deer, i.e. if it's too warm they'll move more at night when it's cooler, but not the rut. As I do each year before deer hunting begins, I read/watch every book/magaizne/video on the market. During those readings I came across an article that said the Rut is triggered by the "photo....something." I forgot the exact scientific term, but it basically says length of daylight is the #1 trigger for the rut. Even though the temps are warmer, the length of daylight is the same as every year at this time. The deers brain triggers hormone production based on this and, whoop there it is, we have the rut! I've also been in the woods every weekend for the past two months and I've seen a lot of ground scrapes the past month. I think the rut is right on schedule!!!

[BradB]

Johnny,

I believe the word you are looking for is "photoperiod". It's the amount of light per day, as you describe.

[Johnny_Namakan]

BradB,

Photoperiod, that's it! I can't think straight today. I got dat tirty pointer on da mind. Good luck with the hunt!

[Norsk Fisker]

I've been out a bit lately East of Hinckley. Lots of buck activity. Scrapes everywhere in the last week or so, bucks chasing constantly. Yesterday one doe was grazing in the open, I drove up and the buck with her looked at me, looked at the doe, and went about his business chasing her. I watched for a while until he chased her off into the woods. Later in the day I saw a yearling buck mounting a receptive doe. I think there will be a lot of activity this weekend.

[buzzsaw]

Johnny & Brad, Less daylight triggers an increase in the bucks' testosterone, the hormone responsible for, among other things, antler maturation. Alot of people think the weather temperature has to do with deer going into rut... it's not entirely true... but with the days getting shorter and shorter it does coincide with coller temperatures so I'm OK with people who say that deer go into rut when it gets colder.... although not technally correct.

[Cooter]

I haven't read any posts but will say after being in the woods today the seeking/chasing phase is in full swing. Two young bucks chasing does, 2 other bucks came to the horns, and an 8 pt with mouth open, tongue hanging, nose to the ground at 10:15am. Get out anytime if you can-mornings should be great yet with the new moon on Tues.