Thoughts on the mule deer rutt in late archery - seasons bumped back a week

[krapmit]

Just curious what some of the east side bow hunteres think about hunting late archery this year.  Season doesn't start until 11/27.  It seems like muley bucks are going in to rutt right now in a lot of places based on what I'm hearing.

How do you think the rutt will be come opening day in the cascades for muleys?

[Elkrunner]

Same as last year.  It will be the very tail end of it.

[krapmit]

Yea, that's what I'm thinking..Although, last season we had bucks chasing does through the whole season, I sure hope it's the same.

[bobcat]

The mule deer rut begins the first week of November, so by the 27th it's definitely over.

[chukar hunter]

Definitely post rut.   

I personally like hunting this time as the bucks can be found alone, within close proximity to does.   Often they don't have a harem with them = less eyes and ears for the final stalk.  Later in the year also increases the liklyhood of snow making spotting, stalking, & tracking that much easier.  Also around thanksgiving, so a long weekend to hunt, not having to take much additional time off!  Best time to hunt them to me!  Good luck out there.

[daradke]

I thought mule openned 21st and whitetail open on 27th.

[coachcw]

ast year I saw a buck chasing big time on the 28th.

[D-Rock425]

The mule deer rut begins the first week of November, so by the 27th it's definitely over.

I wouldn't say it's definitely over but winding down for sure. 

[jrebel]

The buck I shot on the 29th last year was still rutting hart core....as were all the big bucks I saw during my late hunt.  Didn't see one big buck that didn't have a small harem of does. 

[jackelope]

My buck in 2010 was chasing on the 23rd when I killed him and was way swelled up.  Some of it is location dependent. Either way, for the most part it'll be a post rut type scenario.

[JLS]

No scope covers that year?

[jackelope]

Yes, scope covers but a different scope. I oughta... !!! Grrrr.

[dr.derek]

seems like post rut but anything to get bucks away from a heard of does helps

[trophyhunt]

I'm not gonna be popular w this comment but, I'm glad the late hunt isn't during the heart of the rut. I think rut hunts should be permit only. Too many good hunters and equipment now days to have any open season during rut times. And I'm a bow hunter also.

[acorn]

I'm not sure what you're all talking about a saw three bucks the last day a season last year that were chasing does as hard as they could, tongues hanging out, swelled to the max. I like the season later in the year, more snow the better.