blacktail deer pre-rut

[npaull]

Was absolutely dead last weekend. Hunted my rut tag for GMU 651, saw a lot of does, one small buck (wasn't able to get a shot off), and that's it. Nothing acting like the rut at all. Not a single doe had a buck with it. Confusing... Late rut this year maybe? Pretty frustrating.

[bobcat]

I think you'll find that blacktail bucks will be more active this week, through next weekend. Right up to the day before the general late season starts on the 15th. So put in some time the next seven days and I bet you'll notice a big difference from what you've been seeing.


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[Mike450r]

The bucks are getting ready but I don't think the estrus scent is very strong in the air yet.  A lot of new rubs every day.  The does I have seen the last week have still been with fawns without any bucks chasing tail.  I expect that to change over the next few days.

[npaull]

Yeah hope so. Going to go out again tomorrow and hunt several more afternoons this week. Can't hunt this coming weekend because of work but I'll hit it again after the weekend. I'm not asking much - just want to see a 2pt or better!

[deerhunter_98520]

BTW 98520 - Nice pic.  I remember you've got a Vortex spotting scope.  Is that the 60mm aperture model?  You sure get some good/fun images from distance.

Thanks, I got the 85mm with the Carson hookupz adapter, one of these days I'll break down and get a phone scope and make it easier lol

[fishnfur]

Been out trolling in the truck and sneaking through the woods lately.  Four trips, not one deer sighted.  I'm taking this as a good sign.  One of these days, the rut will spin up again, the deer will bust out of the bush all at once, hopefully just in time for Late Buck.

[Tinmaniac]

It's on right now just like every beginning of November.I saw 3 bucks working 2 does this morning.They didn't move more than 50 yards in three hours.This was on a piece of ground about 50 acres in size and the whole place was trashed with deer activity and stunk like rutting bucks.

[hillbillyhunting]

I think you'll find that blacktail bucks will be more active this week, through next weekend. Right up to the day before the general late season starts on the 15th. So put in some time the next seven days and I bet you'll notice a big difference from what you've been seeing.


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I think this is usually fact, but this year I am seeing something different.  Opening weekend I had a decent 2x3 chasing does.  I saw him 2 nights in a row on does.  My cousins fam killed 3 bucks the week of the 20th; 2 were mature bucks, and all were definitely rutting.  My son has a late season permit, and we have only seen 2 does in 4 days.  From what I can tell the deer are completely nocturnal again.  I think the rut happened very early this year.

I wish my son was having a better experience.  It is unbelievable that we have seen as many bobcats as deer in early November. 

[npaull]

I continue to see zero bucks. Hoping it's going to start soon, worried it's already happened but been super weak...

[shanevg]

I've been having a brutal time as well.  Deer seem completely nocturnal.  I saw one buck so far in 6 days of hunting my late tag.  I'm thinking late rut also.  The crazy warm weather plus full moon in late October must have just pushed things back.  Hopefully they start moving this week!

[blackveltbowhunter]

Keep after it you late permit guys! It WILL happen. The intensity and progress of the rut is very temperamental, but IME if there is a constant it's that MAD month commonly known as November is going to have more days of magic than all the others combined. Keep the faith! Rut reports are like the weather. Scattered showers with a above average chance of daylight movement.  They have to breed, don't let the weather or reports of rut activity in other areas or times discourage you. Good luck!

[Mike450r]

Only able to get out for about an hour and a half on weekday evenings.  Saw 10 deer with one two point dogging a doe Monday, 15 deer all does and fawns Tuesday.  The big mature does were all solo so they got extra time being watched but no bucks were on them.

Got to my driveway and a decent three point walked out with his neck bowed and nose up acting like he was a 80 year old woman in a crosswalk.

[fishnfur]

Keep after it you late permit guys! It WILL happen. The intensity and progress of the rut is very temperamental, but IME if there is a constant it's that MAD month commonly known as November is going to have more days of magic than all the others combined. Keep the faith! Rut reports are like the weather. Scattered showers with a above average chance of daylight movement.  They have to breed, don't let the weather or reports of rut activity in other areas or times discourage you. Good luck!

100% agree.  One area or another is always showing some activity at this point.  It is not unusual that many areas are still difficult hunting.  By Late Buck, pretty much everyplace has at least moderate (though often declining) activity.

Moon phases have no effect on timing of the rut, but only (perhaps) how long into the morning deer stay out feeding.

Have faith.  Many of those initial/early breedings tend to be unsuccessful.  In just the next few days, the majority of unbred does will get hot or hot for a second time.  And just like every year, bucks will respond.

[npaull]

I'm going to hit it hard in 651 tomorrow afternoon and evening. I'll report back...

[predatorG]

Neighbors yard today. Fat swole neck.