Any experienced Black Tail rut hunters? First time rut hunt

[JDHasty]

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[7mmfan]

Here is something I've picked up from watching most deer fight videos. There really isn't THAT much antler noise. They spend most of their time leaning on each other, pushing each other around, not banging horns together continuously... food for thought.

[JDHasty]

Here is something I've picked up from watching most deer fight videos. There really isn't THAT much antler noise. They spend most of their time leaning on each other, pushing each other around, not banging horns together continuously... food for thought.

I was almost run over by a blacktail deer fight one time while elk hunting.  I didn't have a deer tag, and couldn't have gotten a shot off if I had.  I couldn't make out the antler noise over the sound of breaking brush and after they were done it looked like someone had been in there with a Brush Hog.  Either one of those bucks involved could have easily killed a large strong man if they got an inkling to.   

[kodiak 907]

Here is something I've picked up from watching most deer fight videos. There really isn't THAT much antler noise. They spend most of their time leaning on each other, pushing each other around, not banging horns together continuously... food for thought.

I was almost run over by a blacktail deer fight one time while elk hunting.  I didn't have a deer tag, and couldn't have gotten a shot off if I had.  I couldn't make out the antler noise over the sound of breaking brush and after they were done it looked like someone had been in there with a Brush Hog.  Either one of those bucks involved could have easily killed a large strong man if they got an inkling to.   

I rattled this guy in last year. Hung some estrus on a tree, rattled for about 5 minutes, off and on every 30 seconds. He came out of a creek bottom all puffed up looking for a fight.

[7mmfan]

Here is something I've picked up from watching most deer fight videos. There really isn't THAT much antler noise. They spend most of their time leaning on each other, pushing each other around, not banging horns together continuously... food for thought.

I was almost run over by a blacktail deer fight one time while elk hunting.  I didn't have a deer tag, and couldn't have gotten a shot off if I had.  I couldn't make out the antler noise over the sound of breaking brush and after they were done it looked like someone had been in there with a Brush Hog.  Either one of those bucks involved could have easily killed a large strong man if they got an inkling to.   

Not sure if we're on the same page or not. I wasn't implying that they don't or can't knock down drag out fight, but more that even in a serious battle, and maybe even more so in that kind of fight, there isn't a continuous clanging/knocking of antlers together. They spend so much time pushing against each other, not trying to make their horns make noise. Of the deer fights I've witnessed, like you said, you can hardly hear the fight for the noise. Stomping feet, breaking branches, crushing brush, etc... If someone is really trying to duplicate a big buck fight, they need to run around in the bushes breaking everything in sight while they rattle. Otherwise, I think more of a sparring sound, less aggressive and intermittent is probably more effective.

[JDHasty]

Here is something I've picked up from watching most deer fight videos. There really isn't THAT much antler noise. They spend most of their time leaning on each other, pushing each other around, not banging horns together continuously... food for thought.

I was almost run over by a blacktail deer fight one time while elk hunting.  I didn't have a deer tag, and couldn't have gotten a shot off if I had.  I couldn't make out the antler noise over the sound of breaking brush and after they were done it looked like someone had been in there with a Brush Hog.  Either one of those bucks involved could have easily killed a large strong man if they got an inkling to.   

Not sure if we're on the same page or not. I wasn't implying that they don't or can't knock down drag out fight, but more that even in a serious battle, and maybe even more so in that kind of fight, there isn't a continuous clanging/knocking of antlers together. They spend so much time pushing against each other, not trying to make their horns make noise. Of the deer fights I've witnessed, like you said, you can hardly hear the fight for the noise. Stomping feet, breaking branches, crushing brush, etc... If someone is really trying to duplicate a big buck fight, they need to run around in the bushes breaking everything in sight while they rattle. Otherwise, I think more of a sparring sound, less aggressive and intermittent is probably more effective.

I didn't know what was going on with that fight, all I knew is all hell broke loose and thought it might be lion trying to haul down an elk.  I was in the Clearwater/Hoe drainage and it was really crazy. 

I have seen knock down, drag out fights around home in Tacoma and there is a lot of pushing and shoving and not a heck of a lot of antler noise. 

That is the conversation I had w/that Haugen guy.  IIRC, he was saying that he tears up the country side and raises a general ruckus by breaking branches and stomping around.  I can't remember if he was also rattling antlers together while doing this or not. 

[fishnfur]

I've tried that technique many times.  Stomping, crashing bushes, raking antlers, etc.  It's a great way to get all hot and sweaty, which 'aint the best thing to do when trying to stay scent free.  Haugen talks about it in his book, but in my mind, it will keep all but the very biggest buck in the woods away from the area.  It might be a trophy tactic, but it's never produced for me.

[scoutdog346]

I've seen BT do some very odd stuff during the rut.