The Rut

[littletoes]

Alright, here we go. A bit controversial, but if you think about it, you may just come around.

I think some of the books, and biologists have been lying to us.
Many of us have been led to believe the Rut happens around Novenber 15, and many rifle hunters don't argue, mostly because "most" are not as hard core as bow hunters. Most bow hunters practice quite a bit more with thier weapon of choice, they study their prey more, ect. ect.

Now, I don't think this fully aplies to ALL rifle hunters, heck I'm strickly a rifle hunter, so I guess that eliminates the "prejudice" part for me.

When do 'I' think the Rut happens? Oh, about a Month after they say it does, or at least a couple of weeks!
Why?
Well look, would you give the most efficient killers in this state the chance to kill the most deer especially if the deer are 'crazy' and not paying attention? For me personally I see the deer acting more like the books describe a couple of weeks after rifle season closes. Chasing does mroe intently. How 'bout you?

Now, with thinking like this in mind, how would you change your hunting tactics?
I always hear bow-hunters saying how they "wish they could hunt the rut...", well, I think you have been, you just didn't "pay-attention".

Not trying to get your blood boiling, just trying to get you to think about what you have seen on past hunts.

Now heres a thought...I was thinking this out loud to a biologist, and he was the one that come back with "would you give the most efficient killers in this state the chance to kill the most deer? Hell no..."
Managing deer also means managing money, and money is what it takes to pay the bills. No deer, No money.

[boneaddict]

Here is what I think as a biologist.......OK, a Microbiologist.

There are two Mule deer ruts first of all, with a lull in between.  In Washington, the first stars about the 5th of November, earlier if you are up high in the mountains, it can start there as early as late OCtober or the regular season. (bythe way, I'm not counting necks swelling etc...I'm talking breeding action)  This rut peaks somewhere between the 15th of November declining towards Thanksgiving time, then dies off for a week or two and then fires up again in December to a lesser degree, about the tweener time of the first and second week of December.  It is usually done by Christmas, and the first antlers are already starting to hit the ground. If I wanted to hunt Mule deer for one week of the year, it would be between Nov 14-21.

[WDFW-SUX]

 Deer it would be between Nov 14-21. 

 Elk it would be between Sep 22-Oct 1st 

[littletoes]

Good feedback all!
I've heard elk bugle in this area about a week earlier than what you've posted, depending on the year.

Anyone else???

folks is just sooo scared to give feedback!   

[boneaddict]

One of the best bugling days I have had is September 12th(three years in a row).  The boys are gathering cows then and proving who has the stuff.

[GOcougsHunter]

I've always found Rut dumb bucks the weekend before through the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Shot my biggest blacktail with a shotgun at about 10 feet while he was chasing a doe who nearly ran me over.  Two days after Thanksgiving.  He just stood there with snot hanging out of his nose and he stunk like urine and tarsal gland.

[high country]

As far as whiteys over here in the northeast corner, I would say the last week of the late hunt it starts getting good (modern).  I would even narrow it down to the second half of the week.  I've seen alot of bucks right on a does ass during this time.  Actually last year a buddy of mine got a 4X4 that was with 4 other bucks,  all chasing the same doe!  He jumped them and they were running all over the place so he grunted and the one he got came charging in at him.

bingo!

I will say this, mica bucks seem to be a bit later then foothills bucks, 20 miles apart, totally different gene pool who knows why.....but I have seen bucks in the mt spokane area with wood and mica bucks could give a rip....in the same weekend.

[littletoes]

Both areas have some mighty nice bucks on them, but Mt Spokane is getting crowded, as is the backside of Mica. I haven't hunted either since the timber co. started charging for access (its their land, they can do as they please I guess).

Funny, its said to have to do with the quantity of light in a day. That is what tells the animals to come into "season", estrus? We used the same technique for breeding horses, and it works. But how much does weather effect? I don't know, but I would guess that if it is clouded up outside, such as in a year where there will be much more snow, or perhaps just clould cover, wouldn't the unavailability of light in this scenario play even a small role? I don't know, hence the question.

[MHWASH]

Here in the S.E. corner, I think most of the chasing/stupidness comes around the 20th of Nov. Before they took away the regular late hunt I would hunt early to mid Nov until the season closed. I would then go back to the same area to coyote hunt. Depending on the particular year most activity was around the 20th give or take a few days.

[Bigshooter]

I think it depends.  If you are hunting mule deer that migrate, I see the most amount of rutting when the deer have been piled up together for a few days.  Anywhere from the last week in Oct. to the middle of Dec. 

    If you are hunting mule deer that don't migrate or only migrate a short distance (5 miles or less) then I see the most amount of rutting anywhere from the end of Oct. to the middle of Nov.

    Now there also sometimes is the second rut that usually happens middle Dec.  This can be good for bowhunters because this is usually when they can hunt.  But this rut usually isn't as good as the first rut, because most of the does have already been bred. 

    Now blacktails I really feel depends on the weather.  If you have cold weather the last week, week an a half of Oct. they will rut then.  If you don't get weather until Nov. they will rut then.  And there rut seems to be short, 7 to 10 days

    Elk I really believe it depends on the elevation you find them in.  Down low I see them start to rut the first week of Sept.  Up high I usually don't see them in the rut until middle to the end of Sept.

    And as far as whitetails go I could care less.