Blacktail Rut?

[257 Wby Mag]

So once again, it will start the same time, plus or minus a day, the weather will dictate the DOE movement, so we will see what kinda rut we have this year.....

[JakeLand]

They are starting to get froggy! I watched a 3x3 today ripping up some clump brush but his neck didn't look really swelled up yet

[Mallardmasher]

I will start adding a little rattling closer to the end of the month. I set up in heavy travel corridors and close to bedding areas, and areas where a mature buck has been recently rubbing. I will start by raking a 3-4 tree, I like hardwoods, as the sound carries farther, and brush, followed by a couple soft drawn out grunts, waiting 5-6 min between grunts. But will rake more frequently. I will stay in an area about 30-40 min waiting for action. Make sure the caller is in the most part concealed. Sound travels far, so you need to give them time to show for the party.

About 30 years ago when we began using WT tactics. I was driving a gravel road just after the close of modern season, and had a big buck jump out of the woods next to me and run along side me in the ditch for over a 10th of a mile, peal off in to an alder bottom, where one big buck was rubbing and another was grunting and chasing a doe. He heard the commotion from a ways away and was only focused on the party. Just what works for me

[Blacktail Sniper]

Got some pics from last few days of a couple bucks on the property, two point looks a little swollen necked, but the three doesn't appear to be, or at least as much yet.

And they are still hanging out together.  Watched a doe cruise through the field this afternoon, no sign of any interested buck tagging along or trailing, not even the little spike that I have pictures of.

Thoughts on whether it is rutty swelling or just normal to each critter for their sizes?

[Mallardmasher]

This one looks rutty

[deerhunter_98520]

Whoa 

[lokidog]

Pics or it didn't happen Loki!  (congrats!)

Spent the day at a girls HS swim meet.  No bucks in that pool.   
 
I thought today would be the day the flood gates opened.  Perfect nasty weather. 
I'm not liking the forecast for next week.   Seems like warming weather usually keeps the deer active primarily at night - much like it was a couple of years back.  Good to see some are reporting activity.

Trying to get downloaded (new phone/com[puter combo is not as easy as my last one  :-(
).  All but one buck seen today had its head in a doe's butt, seemed pretty rutty to me.   

[fishnfur]

 
What a buck!  Big back yard bucks sometimes get so big and nasty they often don't quite fit the template of being a beautiful animal.  Awesome! 

Great pic and post on the grunting.  I'm surprised you didn't stipulate:  Do not whistle!  Thanks for taking the time to post your routine.

[fishnfur]

Pics or it didn't happen Loki!  (congrats!)

Spent the day at a girls HS swim meet.  No bucks in that pool.   
 
I thought today would be the day the flood gates opened.  Perfect nasty weather. 
I'm not liking the forecast for next week.   Seems like warming weather usually keeps the deer active primarily at night - much like it was a couple of years back.  Good to see some are reporting activity.

That part of the pre-rut/rut hasn't changed.  It seems to run on different clocks in different regions of Western WA.
Again, congrats to your wife Loki.

Trying to get downloaded (new phone/com[puter combo is not as easy as my last one  :-(
).  All but one buck seen today had its head in a doe's butt, seemed pretty rutty to me.   

[lokidog]

Oops, sorry Fishnfur, my frustration with my phone/computer caused me to accidentally modify your post....      

[fishnfur]

I'll have to report you to a mod for that!

[lokidog]

I'll have to report you to a mod for that!

Oops, sorry, I accidentally deleted that.....     

[fishnfur]

I forgot Blacktail Sniper's question: 

I'm a poor judge of swollen buck necks, but I agree, that three-point looks pretty normal.  The forkie actually looks a year older to me, but it may just be the way he's standing.  He looks bigger bodied and his neck seems to be enlarged.   

Nice wife-spike Loki!

[Blacktail Sniper]

I forgot Blacktail Sniper's question: 

I'm a poor judge of swollen buck necks, but I agree, that three-point looks pretty normal.  The forkie actually looks a year older to me, but it may just be the way he's standing.  He looks bigger bodied and his neck seems to be enlarged.   

Nice wife-spike Loki!

I agree, really hard to say for sure.  The tarsal glands don't seem abnormal yet in the one pic., so I think you may be correct. 

Thanks for the input!   

[Blacktail Sniper]

This one looks rutty

I'd say that is a fair statement.