Blacktail Rut Thread

[PolarBear]

This was the slowest season I've seen. I never saw anything bigger than the spoke I rattled in. 
 I'm curious on how the late seasons pan out.

My daughter only had Sunday to hunt but usually that’s enough. Typical I can call up at least a couple of bucks the last 2 days of season but this year nothing. No rubs, no daytime activity. My neighbor had to check on a calf  on her back 80 Sunday night around 9 and found a 4x5 pushing a doe really hard. She checked her cams and found a bunch of rut activity between 8-10 pm.

[Turner89]

Yea, the lack of rubs rwas really  shocking.

The late hot weather is obviously the reason in my mind.   Quite a few people reporting the same thing.

[7mmfan]

I didn't see a single fresh rub. The deer that I killed had been rubbing, but I think it was brushy stuff, not trees. The same day last year we killed a buck in this cut that was absolutely full blast rut, swollen, stinky as all get out and on a mission. My deer this year was by himself, feeding, barely smelly at all, and just starting to puff a little. Definitely an odd year.

[BigredRusch]

I saw a buck on the side of the highway this morning at 6AM beating up an alder. The pre-dawn rut theory matches what I have seen so far. It will be interesting to look at harvest data for the late season this year.


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[jhawk13]

Hunted hard yesterday. Moving areas tomorrow. Still very slow. Rocking the Bear Rivr permit.

[bobcat]

I have a muzzleloader tag this year and I was out scouting on October 23. Found some fresh buck rubs on 4 or 5 trees all in the same spot. I put up two cameras, both set for video. Looking forward to seeing what size buck or bucks are visiting the rubs. I think I'll try to be patient and not go back in there until Sunday, the 13th. That will be three full weeks right during the peak of the rut.

[duckmen1]

We hunted the last day of season and got skunked. Then on the way out saw a big big cross in front of us 1hr after dark. I think it was chasing a doe. Now that season is over this week will be on fire. Only saw 1 good rub tucked away about 3/4 mile into a thick basin. But back in town my brother sees 3 big bucks and a spike chasing a doe in a tucked away creek draw. Those deer always seem to rut early compared to deer higher up.
Went to 3 new areas on the last weekend. Can't believe the amount of bear sign in all areas we went too. Hopefully a few more fawns for next season as I harvested one of the bears on the 29th out of a spot.

[dilleytech]

The buck I killed on the 26th had material on his horns from rubbing and was really stinky. But I also never seen a single fresh deer rub this year hunting all to the 31 with the wife. It just seemed like they weren’t traveling much this year like last year. But last year was a lot colder and wetter earlier. Strange year.

[scotsman]

It’s prime time wetside. Pic taken a few minutes ago…. Note my archery backstop. Also hard to see is my bedded nuck 3d target at the base of the maple tree.

[fishnfur]

Having been reading this thread for fourteen years and noting all the comments regarding this situation,  I'm a firm believer that warm weather during pre-rut = deer active at night, not so much so during daylignt.  There's always a few bucks that break that pattern and are out in broad daylight as the end of the month closes in, but all-in-all, hunter's see fewer bucks when temperatures are above mid-40's.  When it's 50 - 60 degrees, it's like the deer are on holiday.  Slow motion.  Still putting on fat on top of their typical reserves but not in any mood to be active.  Once the doe really start dropping eggs in big numbers though, then bucks are going strong, regardless of the temperature.  Unfortunately for us, that happens somewhere between 8 -14 November.

[Turner89]

Hunted hard yesterday. Moving areas tomorrow. Still very slow. Rocking the Bear Rivr permit.

Good luck!

[TriggerMike]

Had a big 4 point chasing a doe around my house and then through the front yard today about 1:30 in the afternoon, he had his nose up her tail and she was trying to kick him in the face as she ran and her fawn was about 10 yards behind them trying to keep up. They all never stopped running and were gone as fast as they showed up. Never seen this buck before, classic blacktail ghosts. Also didn't see any bucks at home or the woods during rifle season. Definitely a weird year. Hopefully late muzzy produces!

[Pacific Ghost]

First sightings of these bucks through our backyard this fall.

[PolarBear]

Saw a monster buck at 4:30 pm today in Tumwater at the corner of 93rd’ and Old 99. He was all alone as far as I could tell but swollen up and definitely searching.

[ChefWoodrough]

Do you think they will be rutting for late modern rifle in 407?