2015 Rut thread....

[PolarBear]

Next Thursday through Saturday (29th-31st) are going to be the "magic" days for this years rut.  Timing, weather, etc.  Just sayin'. 

[huntingbaldguy]

I have a pair of old does that had fawns late.  Their fawns just lost their spots.  I'm assuming they could be going in to estrous late, or do you think that matters at all?

are they still nursing?

I don't think so.  Even during early archery when a few of the fawns had spots still, didn't seem like they were nursing.  We watched them a few times from our blind.  Wondering if those does were bred twice because the first time didn't stick.  They are definitely older does.  Minimum 4 year olds.  I'll shoot one of them as a last resort in late archery if late rifle doesn't pay off for a buck.

[JDHasty]

I have a pair of old does that had fawns late.  Their fawns just lost their spots.  I'm assuming they could be going in to estrous late, or do you think that matters at all?

are they still nursing?

I don't think so.  Even during early archery when a few of the fawns had spots still, didn't seem like they were nursing.  We watched them a few times from our blind.  Wondering if those does were bred twice because the first time didn't stick.  They are definitely older does.  Minimum 4 year olds.  I'll shoot one of them as a last resort in late archery if late rifle doesn't pay off for a buck.

I saw a guy who shot a big island blacktail doe and she had a couple of really large fawns w/her and he says was still full of milk. 

[lokidog]

My theory on island deer is that there is little selective pressure for deer to all fawn at the same time (lack of predators), therefore there is a much larger window for successful fawn births. 

[fishnfur]

Perhaps.   Certainly the lack of predators on many islands is a large factor in fawn survival and overpopulation.

I believe that winter forage is the "selector" for which animals survive and live long enough to breed.  Fawns born too late in the season often have not put on enough body fat to survive a bad winter.  When the winter is mild, such as is normally the case in the S.J. Islands, it probably isn't as much of a factor - so there's little or no selection process at work for fawns surviving winters.  Much like the mid/late winter rut of WTs in the deep south.  There is food all year, so the fawns born at off-times (October there?) survive just as well as those born in mid-spring here.

[kodiak 907]

  exactly my thought as well

[Natas5150]

Next Thursday through Saturday (29th-31st) are going to be the "magic" days for this years rut.  Timing, weather, etc.  Just sayin'. 

  Agreed!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Next Thursday through Saturday (29th-31st) are going to be the "magic" days for this years rut.  Timing, weather, etc.  Just sayin'. 

Oh ya!!!!!

[kodiak 907]

Correct. The rut won't start until Tuesday. My first day of vacation

[bobcat]

I'll be hunting Monday through Saturday- so anytime duing that time frame would be a great time for the bucks to be thinking with the wrong head.   

I certainly need all the help I can get!

[JDHasty]

Perhaps.   Certainly the lack of predators on many islands is a large factor in fawn survival and overpopulation.

I believe that winter forage is the "selector" for which animals survive and live long enough to breed.  Fawns born too late in the season often have not put on enough body fat to survive a bad winter.  When the winter is mild, such as is normally the case in the S.J. Islands, it probably isn't as much of a factor - so there's little or no selection process at work for fawns surviving winters.  Much like the mid/late winter rut of WTs in the deep south.  There is food all year, so the fawns born at off-times (October there?) survive just as well as those born in mid-spring here.

[boneaddict]

They seem to be dropping out of the high country early this year.  I suspect there will be some great bucks taken this weekend.

[fishnfur]

Hope you're hunting Bone Addict.  I need a good read!

I'm getting into the tree stand for the first time Sunday afternoon.  Should start raining that afternoon on the coast (from recent history, that means mist or light drizzle at best), and then I'm hunting everyday till I run out of time or get it done.  Hope the deer got the notice on the start of the rut.

[lokidog]

Perhaps.   Certainly the lack of predators on many islands is a large factor in fawn survival and overpopulation.

I believe that winter forage is the "selector" for which animals survive and live long enough to breed.  Fawns born too late in the season often have not put on enough body fat to survive a bad winter.  When the winter is mild, such as is normally the case in the S.J. Islands, it probably isn't as much of a factor - so there's little or no selection process at work for fawns surviving winters.  Much like the mid/late winter rut of WTs in the deep south.  There is food all year, so the fawns born at off-times (October there?) survive just as well as those born in mid-spring here.

This is definitely a factor as well, especially on islands like ours with little agriculture.  I don't think winter food is as much of an issue on Lopez or San Juan as there are lots of pastures and such for them to find food.

I have never seen an October fawn, that is a bit out of there. There is a very young fawn, no spots, where I was working earlier today. I can pretty much guarantee it will not make the next week , let alone the winter.  It is thin, week, not afraid to let me approach to within ten feet, and has a green back end.   

[AKBowman]

LOTS of FRESH rubs where I am now. West side foot hills.

Things are going now. Should be a great week. Trying to get it done, best week of the year!!