Sherman Unit White tail Question.

[Highcountry360]

 So last year I went and hunted the Sherman Unit (GMU 101) and hunted Thanksgiving weekend. I thought I might try rattling and calling and ended up with no results. I'm a blacktail hunter at heart and am used to the west side so whitetails are a new thing for me. It seemed to me that all the bucks we seen were with does and weren't interested in our rattling. I thought Thanksgiving weekend those bucks would be fightin mad but it just seemed everything as far as rut was winding down. Is this normal in that area for whitetails? Maybe I should have gone alot earlier? Hmmm, anyone have any thoughts on this?

[CAMPMEAT]

I've never seen a whitetail chase a doe in rut, never. Muleys, different story. I don't know why, but i've never seen it. I know a guy who rattled in a nice whitetail in the 105 unit and he swore it was better than fresh warm bread with butter and sugar on it. He was also at a lower elevation ?? maybe that had something to do with it, don't know. I've lived here for 12 years, so I can't give you an answer. PM jess and see what he thinks.

[MtnMuley]

I'd stick with doing what you did last year during that time frame.  Hard to beat Thanksgiving day for rutting whiteys.   Also, I wouldn't suggest finding bucks, then rattling.  I won't even comment on whiteys not chasing does in the rut.

[CAMPMEAT]

I'd stick with doing what you did last year during that time frame.  Hard to beat Thanksgiving day for rutting whiteys.   Also, I wouldn't suggest finding bucks, then rattling.  I won't even comment on whiteys not chasing does in the rut.

I wanna hear your comments so I can maybe learn someting ?

[NWWA Hunter]

I saw a whitetail chase a doe in rut on my only wt hunt 2 years ago

[hambone]

Whitetail bucks during middle to late nov. will be chasing does like crazy last year on my late hunt i looked for does because if they are rutty those bucks will be were those does are good luck

[archery288]

I've seen quite a few whitetail bucks chasing does over the years in the late archery season. 

[boneaddict]

Rattling works better earlier than later, still an effective tool.  Alot of it will depend on the buck to doe ratio of the particular area.

It seemed to me that all the bucks we seen were with does and weren't interested in our rattling

A product of low buck to doe ratio.   If a buck is hot on a doe, he won't dink with your ratlling.  The animal you are targeting is the buck that is trailing.   Pick up a fresh buck on a track, and go to it.

[jess]

the bucks were doed up! I have seen this alot aroung thanksgiving great spot and stalk situation but thats why you couldnt get any to come in to the horns... Pre rut is much better for rattilin try first week of season! Simple way to look at it if you got a hot chick in the bag at a bar why would you fight for another one? Oh and chasin does i can see ten+ bucks a day from the livingroom chasin does most of nov

[CAMPMEAT]

I guess I don't have it in me to see those whitetails chasing the does. Probably becuase I don't like deer meat..........

[ribka]

Yeh that.

Seems peak a week earlier than Thanksgiving. Just personal observation though.

Hunt the does during the rut and the bucks will be there.

Rattling works better earlier than later, still an effective tool.  Alot of it will depend on the buck to doe ratio of the particular area.

It seemed to me that all the bucks we seen were with does and weren't interested in our rattling

A product of low buck to doe ratio.   If a buck is hot on a doe, he won't dink with your ratlling.  The animal you are targeting is the buck that is trailing.   Pick up a fresh buck on a track, and go to it.

[Highcountry360]

Thanks for the tips guys, I will be hitting it earlier this year.

[3nails]

 It's been my experience that you can rattle them the whole month of November. Early in the month is great, middle is good and late is great again.