2012 Whitetail Rut Report

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Just one cam... but we can only hunt one at a time because of the little ones. We didn't have the cam out today... too much rain...tired of it already.

[huntnnw]

filming in the rain is a pain and adds more stress to making sure that high dollar cam stays dry! I am using a freezer bag with the sticker fleece on the outside and a layer of duct tape on the inside..I cut a hole for my mic and lens the view finder opens underneath

[DBHAWTHORNE]

filming in the rain is a pain and adds more stress to making sure that high dollar cam stays dry! I am using a freezer bag with the sticker fleece on the outside and a layer of duct tape on the inside..I cut a hole for my mic and lens the view finder opens underneath

I even purchased a petrol rain cover... it's still not easy... I am interested in what you are explaining...trying to picture it. Do you have a shotgun mic that sticks out? Do you cover the mic. The rain cover I have makes it a PITA to use the viewfinder (even though it's a clear rain coat... it has a hole for the mic (and or a mount for it on the outside too) but then I still need to cover the mic with something.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I have read about putting a condom over the mic but not sure how much that effects the sound

[Griz231]

Heading out at 3am tomorrow for the much anticipated late archery up in 105.  Can't wait!!

Any updates on if the rut has taken off again up there?

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Heading out at 3am tomorrow for the much anticipated late archery up in 105.  Can't wait!!

Any updates on if the rut has taken off again up there?

The bucks are still moving but they are definitely roaming outside their core range and much less consistent on trail cam.

[Griz231]

Heading out at 3am tomorrow for the much anticipated late archery up in 105.  Can't wait!!

Any updates on if the rut has taken off again up there?

The bucks are still moving but they are definitely roaming outside their core range and much less consistent on trail cam.

You think they are at the stage of hunkering down with the does then?

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Yep... I think a lot of them are locked down on does right now.

[Ridgeratt]

I was up putzing in my shed this weekend in 105. Haven't seen much for any deer all season. So last nite just at dark I'm starting the burn pile and letting the Q-tip out to run off some steam. I think I hear the neighbors Boar grunting next door. Nope I have a low 140 class whitetail wandering around in the pasture playing tag with about 5 does. He had way to many choices he was like a teenager at his first dance. Racing around and around. He was still chasing when it got to dark to see.   

[Alan K]

Just got back from hunting northern Idaho on Saturday after a week over there. About half the does we saw had a buck on their heels with them every step, and others oddly didn't have any with them the whole time we were there.  Weather wasn't good, we tipped over a couple decent ones the first two days with the snow, but then the rain moved in and it got pretty slow. 

[Seabass]

Hunted 121 yesterday. It was slow but I knew it would be based on my cameras activity. Still plenty of shooter's around but haven't had a daytime pic (shooter) for a week. I believe the bucks in my area could be tending and don't need to move much regardless of time of day. I was just hoping the "right" doe would stroll in with big buck in tow. I had a couple of young bucks stop by for a few minutes to fuel up and head back out on patrol. It is pretty easy living right now if you are a deer. Outside of the urge to breed there isn't a lot to make them move much.

[Doublelunger]

Seabass, Im seeing the exact same thing. No daytime pics of mature bucks in about a week.  Have seen a couple of random bucks cruising with their nose down.

[oldleclercrd]

Same deal in 113.

[MuleySniper]

Just got back last night and my experience sounded just like Seabass's. Driving to my stand in the morning it was 11 degrees and averaged about 25 degrees during the day and was about 18 degrees when I would get out of my stand at dark. I had little activity during the day. A handful of does, mostly with fawns and a handful of small bucks. My trail camera on the other hand would tease me each morning as it was loaded with smasher bucks. One 8x10 that I would donate a left nut for. A couple other real chunky big 4's and also just some plain nice shooter bucks. Not sure if the moon played a roll but it was definitely out in force. Cold and clear sunny skies during the day not sure how that helped either. Anyway one step closer hopefully to figuring these suckers out.
MS

[Seabass]

Hunted today just because I could and hoping to get lucky. In the past 36 hours I have 4 brand new bucks that anyone would shoot all at night with one exception. I baited a new spot for a buddy on Sunday afternoon. I went in to hang his stand today and on a 48 hour soak of a brand new bait site he had two mid 140's bucks in the middle of the day. Go figure. We need some weather!