Peak Rut in Eastern Washington

[Sideswipe]

For what it's worth, I've only hunted the late buck season on the eastside a couple of times.  In the gnl Davenport/Bachelor Prarie area one bio stated the peak for whitetail was on or about 21 Nov.  Did seem to appear that way in 2009 & 10.  In 09 a big forked horn (area was 3 pts or btr) chased two doe within 10' of my parked Jeep.  Wife was sitting inside as they dashed past-acted like the Jeep wasn't even there.  One tracked mind I guess.

[buckfvr]

Ill take the pre-rut.........

[Camp David]

Best activity I have ever witnessed was after a good snow storm the weekend after Thanks giving. I sat in a stand during the storm (that morning - evening and the next morning till 10:00 when it finally stopped) not seeing a deer. Right after it stopped there was deer every and the bucks were stupid....a 2X2 almost ran me over while i was standing next to a tree. I'm guessing it was a combo of all of them sitting tight during the storm (hungry) and the rut that brought on the activity.

[3nails]

Funny how it can vary so much in such short distances. When I'm hunting NW MT. I keep close communication with my brother in Spokane and the rut there is generally a week earlier.

[CedarPants]

Agreed 3nails.  I work in Liberty Lake and there have been several recent seasons where I'd be in 124 for the late rifle and it would seem to peak early in that week prior to Thanksgiving then die out by week's end.  Then starting Monday of Thanksgiving week at work here in Liberty Lake just south of 124 you'll see bucks chasing does through the Albertson's parking lot at noon

[Miles]

The last 2 or 3 days of late rifle.

[PA BEN]

Back in the day when late buck opened thanksgiving day the rut was in full swing in 121. I started bowhunting in 86. Dec. 2nd one year I saw the biggest w/t buck of my life. He was rutting hard. I was shooting a bear re-curve 55lb at the time and he was to far for a shot. If I had the compond I shoot today he would have been dead.

[buckfvr]

I also saw the biggest WT ever two years ago on Dec. 2nd..............at first glance I thought elk, but stopped right on hwy 25 and put the glasses on it and was shocked.  He was with a doe.....I then went up north and saw another stud buck with a doe, and a youngster runnin with his nose to the ground.  Im pretty sure it was start of second cycle.   I had already used my tag, so I just soaked it all up. 

[buckman202]

In my experience living on the palouse it seems as though rut "usually" hit around nov12th-16th from year to year. Usually in good shape if you have the late palouse buck tag drawn.