Blacktail rut?

[BOWHUNTER45]

I have experienced the rut as early as the last week of October, but usually it happens after the general modern firearm season. However, I have even experienced the rut occurring at different times in different areas and even at different elevations.

[snowpack]

My observations have been that I start seeing them more in daylight and looking for does about the 1st of November, then around 5/6 they are really into it for about a week and then a week of 'clean-up' duty.  Basically the mid-point between the end of general mod season and the late mod season.   Sometimes a few are earlier and a few run later, but this is just what I've seen over the years.

[lokidog]

4 days before Halloween and 4 days after.   

This would be my experience here on the island.  Though they seem to have an extended rut out here since we see fawns from May into July.  I would guess this is because we have no selective pressure by predators to all drop their fawns in a short time period.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Yeah ..only if I could hunt Nov1st thru the 10th ...I would show ya some true wall hangers 

[bobcat]

I'd day this picture is proof that the peak of the blacktail rut is November 10:
(taken in south Thurston County)

[madmack76]

I agree first part of November its on. I have seen more monster bucks during elk season its just crazy.

[3nails]

Okay, so if we are talking the breeding phase of the rut then yes, first 2 weeks of November. The search/chase phase (best phase to hunt imo) begins in late October.

[3nails]

 Thanks for the close-up bobcat. 

[Old Man Yager]

I've shot 3 of my best Blacktails during late buck general rifle season. All still had swollen necks, and were shot between 10am-12. 2 of them had thier nose in a doe's behind.

[ctwiggs1]

wow you really zoomed in and everything on that one... interesting..

I never noticed this I guess but even archery and ML get *censored*d out of the rut don't they?

[lokidog]

I've shot a lot of bucks during general rifle that I had not seen around the property during the summer, my guess is they were cruising looking for does.  Might not be full in the rut, but when they start cruising, they are vulnerable, and they definitely cruise during rifle season.

[FLIZZ]

I'd day this picture is proof that the peak of the blacktail rut is November 10:
(taken in south Thurston County)

How do you know they're even breeding? looks to me like he could just have a hurt leg and she's helping him get around.  ... .... . ....

[Old Man Yager]

wow you really zoomed in and everything on that one... interesting..

I never noticed this I guess but even archery and ML get *censored*d out of the rut don't they?

Don't archery and ML get a longer season? And seasons later in the year where snow might make some animals migrate and be on the move?

[FLIZZ]

Seriously though, no BS, I shot a big 2x3 in 07 on the 20th of October, monster neck, with a doe, and I missed him 5 times with a shotgun before I connected so he was definitely not on his A-game. Couple years back on  Oct,26 a had a nice 2pt walk through a clearcut directly towards me, tail strait out, grunting the entire way until I desk popped him at 15 yards with my shotgun. So here's my point, if you get serious and spend time in the woods, you will find a bog buck anywhere from mid/late October all the way to late buck. Its that simple. BTW, it has nothing to do with weather WHAT SO EVER, its the length of the day that gets them going.

[Dhoey07]

Prime blacktain rut is during westside modern elk