Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 25, 2014, 10:31:55 PM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 25, 2014, 10:36:33 PM
Post by: bobcat on November 25, 2014, 10:39:40 PM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 25, 2014, 10:45:39 PM
You sure those "scrapes" weren't just beds? And as for the buck chasing a doe around in October, sounds pretty normal to me, could be just a doe that came into heat a little early. Bucks aren't picky, they'll take those does anytime they're ready.I'm pretty positive they weren't big enough to be beds and you could see how it was scraped around, not just an impression in the dirt. But I don't know, I've read somewhere that cougars make scrapes but I'm not sure if that's true :dunno:
Post by: Elkrunner on November 26, 2014, 07:38:41 AM
Post by: sirmissalot on November 26, 2014, 08:07:09 AM
Nice looking buck though.
Post by: zwickeyman on November 26, 2014, 08:09:38 AM
Post by: bobcat on November 26, 2014, 08:12:26 AM
Quote
I know people tend to think bucks necks get swollen when they get in the mood but I think it's just a sign of A-a mature buck with muscle mass that probably matches his big body and B- enlarged neck muscles due to rubbing and sparring with their buddies prior to game time.
:yeah:
Post by: boneaddict on November 26, 2014, 08:13:41 AM
Post by: boneaddict on November 26, 2014, 08:18:03 AM
Post by: boneaddict on November 26, 2014, 08:19:28 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fbonesbucks%2Fmountaintrophy_zpsbba47a47.jpg&hash=1f3af10b5189cf4cdb708c06bf8b77f1992c1e4b)
Post by: buckfvr on November 26, 2014, 08:29:34 AM
Muledeer scrapes tend to be more mooselike than whitetail like. They dig out a pit, piss in it, roll around in it etc. Not a wallow like an elk. usually on steep ground, often near the peek of a ridgeline, usually in the open, with no licking branch like a whitetail. I'm sorry I have never taken the time to photo one. I saw a good one just the other day. Probably this fellows.......
I learned this in 1988, just above the cross over from Dawson to Schnebly Canyon. Have seen many since.
Post by: boneaddict on November 26, 2014, 08:30:11 AM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 26, 2014, 02:45:42 PM
As for your rutting observation. Think of a bell curve when you think of the rut. It starts out gaining gaining, peaks, then tapers back down, then think of a smaller bell curve following it. Hormones in deer are most effected by light duration. Kind of like leaves turning on a tree and then falling. Weather, moon(light) and temperature will effect the mood just like leaves falling off a tree. Depending on the elevation (high country deer) and all these little factors, you will see individual rut activity vary in time and cycle. The majority of doe are bred the first time around, then the second cycle starts and those that are missed are bred. I suppose there is even a third, but these are the critters that are born late, still have spots in the fall and rarely survive winter.excellent!! Thanks for the info! :)
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 26, 2014, 02:52:45 PM
I think it's a misconception that because a buck has a big fat neck he is in full rut. I have seen old, mature bucks taken in September that have a big swollen looking neck. Makes for a cool mount with that thin September hair. I know people tend to think bucks necks get "swollen" when they get in the mood but I think it's just a sign of A-a mature buck with muscle mass that probably matches his big body and B- enlarged neck muscles due to rubbing and sparring with their buddies prior to game time. My opinion, I have been told I'm wrong before.ah Gotchya makes sense. He was chasing a group of about 6 does so I don't know! He was an old mature buck though. Thanks for the info :tup:
Nice looking buck though.
Post by: MtnMuley on November 26, 2014, 02:54:30 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on November 26, 2014, 02:55:21 PM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 26, 2014, 03:01:57 PM
What GMU? could be possible a few whities are running around.don't think it'd be white tail. But I could be wrong. We hunt a little west of ellensburg. Not sure what elevation white tails stick around but were up around 5,000 feet, if that helps.
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 26, 2014, 03:03:12 PM
Everything Bone has posted in this thread is spot on. I will add that I personally believe the day a muley rubs his velvet off is his sign that he's ready for the smell of estrus. :twocents:Awesome, thanks for the help. Much appreciated :)
Post by: Bigshooter on November 26, 2014, 03:22:59 PM
Post by: bigmacc on November 26, 2014, 03:28:43 PM
It was about 100 yards straight up the hill of this guy. I found three on this outing alone, along with many rubs.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fbonesbucks%2Fmountaintrophy_zpsbba47a47.jpg&hash=1f3af10b5189cf4cdb708c06bf8b77f1992c1e4b)
:tup:...I can beleive that,looks like the type of terrain they like to hang around,tear up and do there "deeds" in :chuckle:
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 26, 2014, 03:50:21 PM
Last time I hunted MT I watched a little 4x4 mule deer make a scrape' pee in it, then lay down in it. Get back up dig at it some more, pee in it again, then work a tree over for about 10 mins.sounds like you got a good show!