Blacktail Rut

[tonymoe]

Saturday I passed on a small 3pt. At 15 yds  That was tearing the hell out of some sapling.
His right side was shaped like a knife blade.

[tonymoe]

Sorry for sideways pic, 

[sirmissalot]

I've been going back and forth on it, there is definitely some pre rut going on and this great fall weather we've been having has started what I'm thinking could just be a false rut, we are seeing smaller bucks really trying hard to get the rut going, but I watched one chase does all night and two of the does were still letting fawns nurse which tells me they were a ways from estrus. I am seeing and hearing of some lone does and fawns though which is a great sign. Chances are though its going to end up being just like every year, young bucks start cruising now and pestering does, usually getting shot by me because I just can't say no and the last couple days of the season the big bucks belly up to the bar and handle business

[Dr. Death]

I've seen 3 bucks now chasing does, 1 was BIG, 1 was med and 1 spike.

[SeatoSummit88]

My hunting partner has been out every day; he has constantly seen Does/ some with fawns; and a couple spikes.  There are areas he said that have minimal traces of dominate bucks; and a couple areas with high traffic movement and rubs coming from large bucks.  If we can keep the weather holding cold and wet; I would expect by the last week of the season they should start becoming more predominant.  I have always been with someone who has killed or killed myself; a buck right near/on my birthday (27th).  At least where we go; that seems to the be the 2/3 day window of love; so we see more movement.

 

[180-GRAIN]

I had 3 forks in my yard together every day until last Saturday. The biggest of the 3 is the only one left coming into my apple orchard now. I think he may have run the other 2 off to stake a claim to the dozen or so does coming in off and on. I did see one of the small bucks sniff a does fresh pee and lip curl about a week ago and watched all 3 bucks sparing a week or so ago as well but no chasing or following at all yet. All the does still have there yearlings in tow and I watched one trying to nurse sunday. I dont think the rut is on yet but seems like things are ramping up. Maybe another week or so 

[kodiak 907]

Looks like most of the small bucks are falling in love way too early. Most of the doe's I've seen are still nursing fawns and are not acting receptive at all. Couple weeks the big guys will show up when the actual rut starts.

[fastcrazyhurt]

last night had a black tail grunting in the thick stuff about 15 yards from me. he was a big buck but wouldn't give me a good shot. he was swollen and grunting away as he was walking towards me he was in the open for a few seconds before getting behind a bunch of trees and brush where i could only see a piece of his body. wish i had 10 minutes more of light. I believe he was looking for the does that hang there everyday i walked the trail he was on a little and it was rubbed on huck bushes and trees and he smelled big time. I think the rut is early this year.

[fishnfur]

        I was still hunting through reprod up in Kitsap today to get to the spot where I shot my buck last year.  Suddenly a small alder is getting thrashed back behind me.  I creeped back and put my scope on a cute little spike that was likely killing his first tree. I left him to his work.  Absolutely nothing else moved for the next five hours.  Maybe this moon is keeping down till dark?  It doesn't help that last light is still very light out                   

[Eric M]

        I was still hunting through reprod up in Kitsap today to get to the spot where I shot my buck last year.  Suddenly a small alder is getting thrashed back behind me.  I creeped back and put my scope on a cute little spike that was likely killing his first tree. I left him to his work.  Absolutely nothing else moved for the next five hours.  Maybe this moon is keeping down till dark?  It doesn't help that last light is still very light out                   

https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/usa/seattle

[redi]

A buddy watched a nice 2 point chase a doe around for half an hour tonight. Seeing more rubs everyday.

[AKBowman]

Seemed to be more rubs and chasing type tracks this morning.  Nothing walked in front of my camera though. The elk came through my stand this morning. They hung out for 35 minutes or so before I let a calf see enough of me to get nervous. They sauntered off before smelling me which is what I wanted.

I'll be after a buck pretty heavy this weekend.

[lokidog]

I've never seen does chase the fawns off here any time during the rut.

We've had trees rubbed for a week or more. My son's yearling fork's rear leg glands he got Saturday was starting to smell rutty but was not neck swollen. I'm saving those for my wife's archery hunt, they'll be good scent attractants. If you know someone who shot one that smells, get those glands and make a necklace....😁

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[fishnfur]

On my property, the does leave the kids at home and go to some sleazy hotel on the other side of the saddle to do the dirty deed.  The fawns run around like psycho kids without mamma close by.

[180-GRAIN]

Had the big forky at my house on video dogging a doe yesterday morning.