Vacation time for the rut?

[N7XW]

I'm focusing on blacktails in the Grays Harbor area and have the multiseason permit.  Didn't get drawn for a quality permit though.  I'm taking 2 weeks off for hunting and want to coordinate it as close to the rut as possible.  Here are the seasons:

Sept. 1-Oct. 6
Oct. 12-31
Nov. 14-17
Nov. 27-Dec. 31

I'm thinking end of October and Nov. 14-17 for late buck MF.  Would it make more sense to schedule for Nov. 27 through early Dec.?

Thanks.

[7mmfan]

Last 5 days of October, and Late Buck. That will put you right in it.

[N7XW]

Last 5 days of October, and Late Buck. That will put you right in it.

That's pretty much what I was thinking.  Thanks 

[WapitiTalk1]

As the late season is only four days, and, coincides with a weekend, you are really only taking two vacations days (THU 14 and FRI 15 NOV), yes?  That said, you could schedule the rest of your deer hunting vacation time to cover pretty much the last two weeks of OCT.  As a general rule, the bucks will be tweaking pretty hard the last week of OCT through mid NOV.  It's all a good time to be in the black tail woods.     

[N7XW]

As the late season is only four days, and, coincides with a weekend, you are really only taking two vacations days (THU 14 and FRI 15 NOV), yes?  That said, you could schedule the rest of your deer hunting vacation time to cover pretty much the last two weeks of OCT.  As a general rule, the bucks will be tweaking pretty hard the last week of OCT through mid NOV.  It's all a good time to be in the black tail woods.   

Yes, only 2 vac. days needed for late buck and the remaining vac. time for the last 2 weeks in Oct.  I think that's the best I can do without the quality permit.

[7mmfan]

I would love to have the last 5 or 6 full days of October off to just hunt BT's. Man it can be good.

[N7XW]

I would love to have the last 5 or 6 full days of October off to just hunt BT's. Man it can be good.

That's the plan for me!!  I have to make up for last year.  Heart attack and surgery totally screwed my season!

[bowhntr]

I agree with the last 5 days of the October season. I usually get get mine in October so I can’t speak too much for the late buck hunt.

The earliest I’ve ever shot a rutting blacktail  buck chasing does was on Oct 20th, also happens to be my biggest too  at around 130”

[N7XW]

I agree with the last 5 days of the October season. I usually get get mine in October so I can’t speak too much for the late buck hunt.

The earliest I’ve ever shot a rutting blacktail  buck chasing does was on Oct 20th, also happens to be my biggest too  at around 130”

[AL WORRELLS KID]

No better time of the year for a good time hunting the rut!
Good Luck, N7XW.
Doug

[N7XW]

No better time of the year for a good time hunting the rut!
Good Luck, N7XW.
Doug

Thank You Sir, appreciate it!

[kselkhunter]

I would also vote for the last week of October as peak rut for end of west side OTC rifle season.

Not sure what drives the rut timing, ie if moon or weather affects it.  I once shot an apparently rutting blacktail the first week of October in the Oregon cascades.  Was shocked he was rutting that early.  Shortest and easiest hunt of my life.  First thing in morning, I'd hiked midway up a ridge and had stopped for a bit to listen....heard a bunch of bouncing and grunting noises coming down the hill right towards me.  Past goes the doe, who thankfully didn't see or smell me.  Then right behind her came the 4x4 buck grunting up a storm. He is broadside at 40 yards and sees me and freezes.  Neck all swollen up and everything  Pure dumb luck on my part of being in right place at right time and they just came right past my position (granted I had scouted and seen bucks in there every year).   But shocked he was rutting that early in the year.  I have to assume it was just the end of pre-rut activity or something.  Not complaining though. 

[N7XW]

I would also vote for the last week of October as peak rut for end of west side OTC rifle season.

Not sure what drives the rut timing, ie if moon or weather affects it.  I once shot an apparently rutting blacktail the first week of October in the Oregon cascades.  Was shocked he was rutting that early.  Shortest and easiest hunt of my life.  First thing in morning, I'd hiked midway up a ridge and had stopped for a bit to listen....heard a bunch of bouncing and grunting noises coming down the hill right towards me.  Past goes the doe, who thankfully didn't see or smell me.  Then right behind her came the 4x4 buck grunting up a storm. He is broadside at 40 yards and sees me and freezes.  Neck all swollen up and everything  Pure dumb luck on my part of being in right place at right time and they just came right past my position (granted I had scouted and seen bucks in there every year).   But shocked he was rutting that early in the year.  I have to assume it was just the end of pre-rut activity or something.  Not complaining though.

From what I've read, it is dependent upon location among other factors.  Washington and Oregon deer may very well be different times.

[JakeLand]

I would love to have the last 5 or 6 full days of October off to just hunt BT's. Man it can be good.

then get your old man and meet us up there !!! The wifey says go for it !

[Skyvalhunter]

Ok will do

[PolarBear]

I take the last week of October off just to hunt blacktails. I do very little hunting during the first 2 weeks of season.

[7mmfan]

I would love to have the last 5 or 6 full days of October off to just hunt BT's. Man it can be good.

then get your old man and meet us up there !!! The wifey says go for it !

HA! The wife says 10 days in Idaho is enough. I'm sure you'll see Dad and I up there again though. Theres a big 3 we need another shot at.

[deerhunter_98520]

Last week of oct and ext buck is the best around here 

[Westside88]

As the late season is only four days, and, coincides with a weekend, you are really only taking two vacations days (THU 14 and FRI 15 NOV), yes?  That said, you could schedule the rest of your deer hunting vacation time to cover pretty much the last two weeks of OCT.  As a general rule, the bucks will be tweaking pretty hard the last week of OCT through mid NOV.  It's all a good time to be in the black tail woods.   

Yes, only 2 vac. days needed for late buck and the remaining vac. time for the last 2 weeks in Oct.  I think that's the best I can do without the quality permit.

This is all spot on for maximizing the rut, but with the multi season permit you’ll want to hunt early too. Good chance to get some deer spotted and maybe even take a good one prior to modern season pressures. You might find the big boy that will only let his guard down later during the rut

[fishnfur]

Sorry to hear about the heart attack. Life changer for sure!

There's always some level of early estrus that kicks up some good buck activity sometime around the 18th - 21st or so.  Sometimes it happens as early as Oct 12 or 13.  These are the does that typically get bred again during the peak of the rut - roughly three weeks later. 

If I was choosing days to hunt based on vacation time, I'd also throw in Friday the 18th and hunt that entire weekend.  I'd plan for Tues, Oct 29th through the end of the General Season, and the two days off for the late season.  That's 7 days of vacation total.

Good luck, and take care of that ticker! 

[JakeLand]

Don’t forget to take November 1st off ! More big bucks are shot when kids are starting to trick or treat then any other night , makes for a long night of packing

[spin05]

Halloween is about peak where i live. By nov 10th i get no more bucks on my camera

[N7XW]

Last week of oct and ext buck is the best around here 

   looking forward to it!

[N7XW]

As the late season is only four days, and, coincides with a weekend, you are really only taking two vacations days (THU 14 and FRI 15 NOV), yes?  That said, you could schedule the rest of your deer hunting vacation time to cover pretty much the last two weeks of OCT.  As a general rule, the bucks will be tweaking pretty hard the last week of OCT through mid NOV.  It's all a good time to be in the black tail woods.   

Yes, only 2 vac. days needed for late buck and the remaining vac. time for the last 2 weeks in Oct.  I think that's the best I can do without the quality permit.

This is all spot on for maximizing the rut, but with the multi season permit you’ll want to hunt early too. Good chance to get some deer spotted and maybe even take a good one prior to modern season pressures. You might find the big boy that will only let his guard down later during the rut

I have a nice buck targeted for early archery.  Can't tell what he is yet since he is still growing.  I suspect a big forkie or 3 point based on what I see so far.

[N7XW]

Sorry to hear about the heart attack. Life changer for sure!

There's always some level of early estrus that kicks up some good buck activity sometime around the 18th - 21st or so.  Sometimes it happens as early as Oct 12 or 13.  These are the does that typically get bred again during the peak of the rut - roughly three weeks later. 

If I was choosing days to hunt based on vacation time, I'd also throw in Friday the 18th and hunt that entire weekend.  I'd plan for Tues, Oct 29th through the end of the General Season, and the two days off for the late season.  That's 7 days of vacation total.

Good luck, and take care of that ticker!

Awesome advice.  Thank you!

[N7XW]

Don’t forget to take November 1st off ! More big bucks are shot when kids are starting to trick or treat then any other night , makes for a long night of packing

I'll be taking Nov. 1st off too for a little grouse hunting.  Hopefully that time will be spent hauling out a nice buck!

[N7XW]

Halloween is about peak where i live. By nov 10th i get no more bucks on my camera

Right in line with what I was thinking.  Thanks!

[Martinhunter]

Oct 25th-31st and the 4 day late buck in November and that'll put you in the woods during the best available huntin days for blacktail. 

[N7XW]

Oct 25th-31st and the 4 day late buck in November and that'll put you in the woods during the best available huntin days for blacktail. 

That's the plan!