Klickitat, Grayback Rut....

[gee_unit360]

I've never hunted deer in rut in these two units. It seems I'm either too early during the modern season in October, or too late during late muzzle loader Nov 21-30. I've heard the rut in these units is around Nov 1-10. What do you guys think. When does the rut generally happen in these two units? Thanks for the help.

[boneaddict]

Just like anywhere else in Washington state.   You'll start to note rut behavior anytime soon increasing until about Halloween.  it will generally fire shortly thereafter and be hot and heavy for a week and a half or so.  It will then start to taper and you will see some spotty behavior and dips in it, and then another flurry around Thanksgiving and then it will be mostly done. 

[Wyoming08]

We've killed bucks on the second weekend over there in the Grayback that have swollen necks. Good times...

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Just like anywhere else in Washington state.   You'll start to note rut behavior anytime soon increasing until about Halloween.  it will generally fire shortly thereafter and be hot and heavy for a week and a half or so.  It will then start to taper and you will see some spotty behavior and dips in it, and then another flurry around Thanksgiving and then it will be mostly done.

   That is a very good description of how it works!

[hooker]

We've killed bucks on the second weekend over there in the Grayback that have swollen necks. Good times...

Shush!  Scum sucker!   

[carpsniperg2]

It been way to hot this year. It's just now cooling down. Most of the bucks haven't even been in groups with does yet. All of the buks we have killed have been alone or in bachelor groups still. I think it's going to be later this year. Most of the time it's around the end of the month, kinda before the late muzzle. This year I think they could still be going hot for the late hunt. Last year I was watching them breed the does the first week of nov.

[gee_unit360]

Thanks carpsniper, I have a multi-season tag, so if I dont get one during modern, hopefully I can catch the end of the rut for late muzzle.

[bigbeamhunter]

 Watch two buts fighting hard Saturday. Nice three points..

[Alchase]

Watch two buts fighting hard Saturday...... 

 

[xd2005]

Watch two buts fighting hard Saturday. Nice three points..

Umm...those weren't "points."

[Hilltop123]

I seen a large 2 point with 11 does, yesterday morning. One of the girls must have started to smell good to him, he dogged her all over the hillside at a full run for 30 minutes. Needless to say, when all was done. His tongue was dragging and had nothing to show for his work. The boys are always ready, but ladies will say when.

[b23]

Just like anywhere else in Washington state.   You'll start to note rut behavior anytime soon increasing until about Halloween.  it will generally fire shortly thereafter and be hot and heavy for a week and a half or so.  It will then start to taper and you will see some spotty behavior and dips in it, and then another flurry around Thanksgiving and then it will be mostly done.

Back in the mid 80's my dad and I used to hunt a late season they had in that area.  It was only a few day opening but it was open to anyone that still had a deer tag.  It was always right around Thanksgiving and I recall the older more mature bucks were always all swelled up and the smaller bucks were not.  Anyone know, do the more mature bucks rut later than the younger ones?

[boneaddict]

Rut is going to pop early this year.  It did with moose, and mule deer are following suit.   

[gee_unit360]

Still no sign of the rut in East Klickitat on Saturday and Sunday. You see anything Carpsniper?

[C-Money]

Like Carpsniper, we watched many different groups of bucks all season, with not much interest in does. Second weekend, we saw one average size buck sniffing around a doe, but that's it as far as rut sign goes. All the big old boys were off by them selves continuing to master the art of giving us the slip. None of the bucks we got were swollen up. Usually we see bucks running does pretty hard right now, but the ladys are just not ready. Should get cranked up soon with all the weather systems.