Post by: riflehunter on November 13, 2016, 08:48:34 PM
Post by: highside74 on November 13, 2016, 08:55:12 PM
Post by: JakeLand on November 13, 2016, 09:30:08 PM
Post by: kevinlisa06 on November 13, 2016, 09:36:50 PM
Post by: DaveMonti on November 13, 2016, 09:39:15 PM
Post by: Gentrys on November 13, 2016, 09:48:52 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 13, 2016, 10:00:53 PM
Those that don't follow the moon theory say that the peak breeding period happens at the same time every year, regardless of weather, moon, or other extrinsic factors. It is my understanding that normally, the peak of the rut for BT is around a week earlier than that for WT deer.
While many here believed that the high levels of rutting activity found in the last eight days or so of October was the primary rutting period for this year, if you believe the scientists or the moon theorists, we are either just past the peak of the rut now or will be at the peak within the week for BT.
I run trail cams in my yard to capture the uptic of buck activities surrounding the rut. Last night was the first night that I had both a buck and a doe in the yard since the 18th of October, and I suspect the actvity will increase for the next five days or so, but time will tell. If that is truly the case, then the dates of this increased activity are almost exactly a week later than what I've experienced in the past several seasons. I'm not going to say that the moon theory is looking good, but it makes me wonder if there might be some bit of truth rolled up in there somewhere. Regardless, if the BTs are really a week late, or if some of the does are beginning to enter a second estrous, then the upcoming four-day season may be really good to outright epic.
Post by: kodiak 907 on November 14, 2016, 05:06:26 AM
The blacktails around my area are in full swing.
Post by: riflehunter on November 14, 2016, 05:12:49 AM
Post by: pope on November 14, 2016, 12:16:25 PM
Maybe does are ready to go when temperatures finally signal the approach of winter, and if that contributes to the equation, given how mild it's been lately, maybe peak rut hasn't happened yet.
Post by: SkookumHntr on November 14, 2016, 12:46:08 PM
Post by: kodiak 907 on November 14, 2016, 02:32:25 PM
Post by: JDHasty on November 14, 2016, 02:33:54 PM
Post by: Firedogg on November 14, 2016, 03:49:22 PM
Post by: bobcat on November 14, 2016, 04:00:24 PM
The ones in my yard that were hard after the does last week are just chilling in the brush now ingoring the does.
I would believe that. From my trail cameras I see almost zero buck activity after the 13th or 14th of November. And those days are pretty slow. Most of the action would be about November 3rd to the 10th.
Post by: fishnfur on November 14, 2016, 06:44:59 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 14, 2016, 10:51:11 PM
The data is taken from disections on wild deer killed in British Columbia (in the early ''60s), versus the WA State data I normally refer to, which was based on captive animals. Interestingly, the dates of the first estrous there occured around two weeks later (mid-Nov.) than what is often observed here in Western WA (late Oct - early Nov). I wonder if that is still the case today.
While not mind boggling in nature, and unlikely to radically change the ways in which you hunt bucks, it ay be good information to have in your back pocket a b, providing a broader understanding of what is going in the world of the does, and the bucks that chase them.
Concepts that I felt were notable include:
- Each estrous cycle in BT does appears to have two separate ovulations.
- BT does never concieve during the first ovulation of the first estrous cycle, even when they are successfully bred by bucks.
- BT does experience a second ovulation (or period of fertility) 8 - 9 days following the first unsuccessful ovulation.
- 97% of does concieved during this second ovulation.
- If the doe has not conceived by the second ovulation, she will enter a second fertile estrous cycle, either 16 to 18 days later or 24 - 27 days later. There is likely a bit of variance to these last numbers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/44/2/261.full.pdf
Summary. Ovarian cycles and the pattern of reproduction in female
black-tailed deer in British Columbia were ascertained largely through
examination of the ovaries from 444 females.
The first ovulation of the season, in November, never resulted in a
lasting pregnancy even though some ova were penetrated by spermatozoa
and began to cleave. First ovulation was apparently 'silent' in five of
seven females for their ova lacked spermatozoa.
Of sixty-one pregnant females, fifty-nine conceived at second ovulation;
the other two conceived at subsequent ovulations more widely
spaced than the 8- to 9-day interval between first and second ovulations.
The synchrony of ovulatory cycles among adult females was such that
half of them ovulated for the second time in a span of 7 or 8 days
Synchronization of second ovulation among females
About 50 % of females > 1 year old ovulated for the second time in a
span of 8 days.
Inspection of Text-fig. 2 reveals that about 50, 75 and 100% of adult
females ovulated for the second time in periods of 7, 11 and 15 days, respect¬
ively. The conception period was almost equally short because 97% of all
females (yearlings 92%, =13; adults 98%, =48) conceived at the second
ovulation.
Ovulatory cycles before conception
Further proof that every female underwent at least one luteal ycle before
conceiving was obtained .........
Oestrous cycles of two or more lengths almost certainly exist in black-tailed
deer. If conception does not ensue at second ovulation, follicular cycles 8 to 9
days in length may continue with ovulation and oestrus occurring every
second or third follicular cycle depending........
Post by: PolarBear on November 15, 2016, 02:23:58 AM
Post by: fishnfur on November 15, 2016, 09:49:14 AM
My pucker factor is pretty high with just four days left in MF. Heading north tomorrow.
Post by: bobcat on November 15, 2016, 10:04:27 AM
Sorry to say that I agree with you on that one Bobcat. :(
I sure hope it's a week late this year. I'll be out Friday looking for a lovesick buck.
Post by: Dhoey07 on November 15, 2016, 10:32:54 AM
Post by: singleshot12 on November 15, 2016, 10:41:20 AM
Post by: PolarBear on November 15, 2016, 10:44:44 AM
Post by: singleshot12 on November 15, 2016, 10:58:15 AM
Post by: 180-GRAIN on November 15, 2016, 01:07:07 PM
Post by: pope on November 15, 2016, 03:39:32 PM
I have never seen a year like this where the rut was so spotty. on and off again. I would hear and see pics of bucks in full rut just 20 miles away when all the bucks in my area were not interested. I saw bucks pushing hard the first week of October then middle/late and then nothing for the last week and the first week of November. Now they are starting up again. :dunno: I know that hours of daylight and the moon play into this but I wonder if this warm and goofy weather is mixing things up.
Boyd says:
The pre-rut is the time of greatest activity, since a large number of mature bucks (which are the first ones to heed natures [sic] call) try to find the first few estrous does. This pre-rut activity is brought to a frenzy when the first few cold (30 to 35 degree) days arrive. If the weather remains warm or turns warm again after a cold spell, the "peak" of the rut is extended."
Iverson, Boyd. Blacktail Trophy Tactics II. Grass Roots Publications, 1999.
Post by: brew on November 15, 2016, 05:02:55 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 15, 2016, 05:12:08 PM
Post by: Antlershed on November 15, 2016, 05:17:56 PM
Seen a nice buck working 2 does hard last night, Rut still in full swing..Where did you say this was? :chuckle:
Post by: kodiak 907 on November 15, 2016, 05:43:57 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 15, 2016, 07:24:03 PM
My synopsis was this.... PERFECT blacktail weather the first week lent itself to above normal animal activity leading to "rut activity". This resulted in an above average amount of does being bred prior to our typical dates reserved for "rut". While this seemed to have lead to some great bucks being taken very early in the season, I think it also lead to a decrease in the amount of available does during "Peak rut". Combined with the weather and moon, resulted in decreased daylight movement and overall intensity. Although I think the "rut" still held fairly close to annual dates at least in areas I frequent. Peak movement from the 3rd through the 10th of November.
Post by: Old Man Yager on November 15, 2016, 09:24:24 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 15, 2016, 11:30:32 PM
Statistically, nearly 50% of the harvest occurs during the late buck season. There's colder weather coming. Stay positive, stay focused, hunt all day. That is all a hunter can do. Good luck!
Post by: kodiak 907 on November 16, 2016, 04:47:32 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 16, 2016, 06:59:11 AM
Post by: bobcat on November 16, 2016, 07:28:50 AM
Quote
Statistically, nearly 50% of the harvest occurs during the late buck season.
I've heard this said many times, but where does that statistic come from? Personally I find it hard to believe. We're talking 4 days versus 17, and to me the last week of October is the best. And, opening weekend I think usually has a pretty good harvest as well.
Now 2014 was maybe more likely to have a good harvest in the late season since it was Nov 13-16. This year, with it being the 17th to the 20th, I don't expect it to be that good. Many of the bucks will be recovering from the rut and won't be moving much during the day, if they move at all.
Post by: JDHasty on November 16, 2016, 08:05:54 AM
Post by: Dhoey07 on November 16, 2016, 08:48:29 AM
Post by: Crunchy on November 16, 2016, 09:13:10 AM
Post by: AKBowman on November 16, 2016, 09:43:35 AM
Post by: SkookumHntr on November 16, 2016, 09:45:49 AM
Post by: Tacbeav on November 16, 2016, 12:53:19 PM
Post by: AKBowman on November 16, 2016, 12:55:48 PM
For big bucks it certainly is!
That intend to believe!
Post by: wt on November 16, 2016, 03:17:31 PM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on November 16, 2016, 05:09:51 PM
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Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on November 16, 2016, 05:12:24 PM
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Post by: fishnfur on November 16, 2016, 05:43:18 PM
My wife is a non-hunter and doesn't follow hunting issues. I shot my buck on day two of four last year. She had four other posts on Facebook by wives she didn't know or hardly knew, posting their husband's bucks over the next 24 hours in the St. Helens Tree Farm in SW WA. The game is still on.
Posted from the Great White North! (at least from where I normally live)
Post by: bobcat on November 16, 2016, 06:07:18 PM
Anyway, as already mentioned, I believe the best advantage of the late season is that the leaves are off the trees. The deer think they're hidden like they would have been a few weeks ago, but now we can see them. Plus much quieter walking in the woods, due to the rain. But this year it was pretty wet in all of October so it may not be any different as far as that goes.
Post by: Curly on November 16, 2016, 06:39:58 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 16, 2016, 07:27:18 PM
Post by: AKBowman on November 16, 2016, 08:17:44 PM
Come on ak, after this weekend you will believe! :chuckle:
I meant to say "I tend" to believe it. WT you're a BT buck magnet regardless of time of season!!
Post by: A4effort on November 16, 2016, 09:33:41 PM
Post by: kodiak 907 on November 16, 2016, 10:36:56 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 16, 2016, 11:25:25 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 17, 2016, 06:46:48 PM
Here's a question I've been wondering about for years: why is the late blacktail season always referred to as "late buck?" I've never called it that but it seems like everyone else does. I just call it the late season. People don't call the regular season "early buck." :dunno:
Anyway, as already mentioned, I believe the best advantage of the late season is that the leaves are off the trees. The deer think they're hidden like they would have been a few weeks ago, but now we can see them. Plus much quieter walking in the woods, due to the rain. But this year it was pretty wet in all of October so it may not be any different as far as that goes.
It's the same people that spawned and still use the term "Jack Fir", even though there are no Jack Firs in WA. When they tell you they saw a buck in the Jack Fir, just run the other way.
Post by: fishnfur on November 17, 2016, 06:59:28 PM
Tons of new sign where I was hunting, occurring since last night. The wind direction made me bail on my spot by noon. (No surprise.) The super moon seems to have them in a bit of a funk - they're partying all night and sleeping all day. It was as bright as a typical first light this morning at 0530.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 17, 2016, 07:29:14 PM
Post by: PolarBear on November 17, 2016, 08:06:42 PM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 17, 2016, 08:08:18 PM
Post by: JDHasty on November 17, 2016, 08:11:56 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 17, 2016, 09:32:50 PM
Saw 30 deer today. 28 does and 2 spikes. Both spikes were rutting, lip curling and running all around. Last few minutes of shooting light one spike was getting pretty close to two of the does and something inside of the timber snort wheezed a couple times and he immediately left the does. Didn't get to see the one inside the timber unfortunately.
I love good reports! Are you sitting on reprod? Did you hear any shots that sounded like hunters shots on deer? It was eerily quiet today west of you.
Post by: bobcat on November 18, 2016, 12:22:19 AM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on November 18, 2016, 01:42:39 AM
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Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on November 18, 2016, 02:27:47 AM
Ive hear the term "jack fir" my whole life. Coming from a logging town we all know it is an immature Douglas Fir. It just easier to say than i saw a buck in a patch of 6 year old douglas firs. There is no true "jack fir" tree. Theres jack pine. Ive seen many deer in patches of jack firs and will continue to use the term 😀Here's a question I've been wondering about for years: why is the late blacktail season always referred to as "late buck?" I've never called it that but it seems like everyone else does. I just call it the late season. People don't call the regular season "early buck." :dunno:
Anyway, as already mentioned, I believe the best advantage of the late season is that the leaves are off the trees. The deer think they're hidden like they would have been a few weeks ago, but now we can see them. Plus much quieter walking in the woods, due to the rain. But this year it was pretty wet in all of October so it may not be any different as far as that goes.
It's the same people that spawned and still use the term "Jack Fir", even though there are no Jack Firs in WA. When they tell you they saw a buck in the Jack Fir, just run the other way.
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Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 18, 2016, 05:34:03 AM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 18, 2016, 05:48:26 AM
Bouncing from clear cut to clear cut hiking down in them to see over the lips and glassing the bottoms. Lots of glassing. No shots that I could hear but did see a carcass on the way out that wasn't there this morning. Lots of fresh rubs too.Saw 30 deer today. 28 does and 2 spikes. Both spikes were rutting, lip curling and running all around. Last few minutes of shooting light one spike was getting pretty close to two of the does and something inside of the timber snort wheezed a couple times and he immediately left the does. Didn't get to see the one inside the timber unfortunately.
I love good reports! Are you sitting on reprod? Did you hear any shots that sounded like hunters shots on deer? It was eerily quiet today west of you.
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 18, 2016, 07:23:35 AM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on November 18, 2016, 10:41:18 AM
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Post by: riflehunter on November 18, 2016, 10:43:34 AM
Post by: bobcat on November 18, 2016, 11:00:32 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20161118%2F115cf8d7b50653cff5f6084ae7ae37e7.jpg&hash=ad65f5ad3916aee6360f44711c064ee474fcb603)
Post by: WSU on November 18, 2016, 11:03:01 AM
Post by: Thehowler on November 18, 2016, 11:19:03 AM
We walk up to it and the first thing she says is he really stinks. Nice double lung shot!
Swollen neck and no fat on his body.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 18, 2016, 01:30:39 PM
Post by: Antlershed on November 18, 2016, 05:10:53 PM
Post by: BigTines on November 19, 2016, 07:40:56 AM
From yesterday evening:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20161118%2F115cf8d7b50653cff5f6084ae7ae37e7.jpg&hash=ad65f5ad3916aee6360f44711c064ee474fcb603)
Nice buck! Just curious if u got this guy on private timberland or NF? Trying to decide on the permit...
Really need to buy two permits one for deer and one for elk...
Post by: bobcat on November 19, 2016, 07:58:45 AM
Nice buck! Just curious if u got this guy on private timberland or NF? Trying to decide on the permit...
Really need to buy two permits one for deer and one for elk...
Neither. I was on state land. If I were going to buy an access permit I would only buy one. But I know what you mean, because the areas I like to hunt deer on Weyerhaeuser are different than where I'd like to hunt elk. But I would just pick one area and hunt both deer and elk. It's $300 for one permit so I certainly don't want to buy two. And I am thinking about it for next year, mostly so I have a good place to take my kids hunting.
Post by: BigTines on November 19, 2016, 12:24:11 PM
Story on how ya got the buck? Sitting, walking etc?
Post by: gonehuntin68 on November 19, 2016, 12:35:43 PM
Post by: Dan-o on November 19, 2016, 01:27:43 PM
3" spikes. :tung: :tung:
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on November 19, 2016, 05:27:48 PM
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Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 19, 2016, 06:37:07 PM
Post by: Antlershed on November 19, 2016, 06:58:10 PM
Post by: JeffRaines on November 19, 2016, 07:17:27 PM
Warmed the hands up and got back out. Ended up walking back out to the ledge and setting up my tripod. Started tearing the hillside apart. I'd say there was 300 or so yards of clearcut visible. Nothing seen. To my back through some reprod was another 75 yards or so of cut that I completely ignored. Heard what sounded like antlers clanking behind me, thought to myself nah, no way. 20 seconds later curiosity got the best of me, grabbed my gun and headed through the bit of reprod - damn buck bounding over the hill! I gave some chase but he was way ahead of me.
Glassed awhile longer, then decided to hit the road to another couple spots. Along the way there was a forky just standing in the road. Now, I'm not too good to take a deer road hunting if the opportunity presents itself... he ended up walking because once he got out of the road into a safe shooting area he booked it. Oh well.
Nothing else seen until 2pm when I decided to head back to the morning cut. Walked out to check the small cut area and surely enough busted that buck out of his bed with my pants down. Wasn't ready, he took off and I tried to cut him off but no dice. Sat back in a slightly different spot and soon as I sat down a doe popped her head out of the timber 200 yards out. Her and her fawn fed out into the clearcut followed by 3 more deer. Watched them for about an hour when I heard this deer mobbing in from my right(which was a draw/creek type area). I knew by the way it was moving and sniffing it had to be a buck. Glassed him, there were two tiny antlers, maybe 3" long. He was slightly bigger than the fawns in the cut, and boy was he looking for action. He chased those does around that cut for about an hour... I had a couple solid shots on him - I even had the safety off at one point... I just couldn't do it. If he had of been a little bigger I might've considered, but I've got all late season to bring in a doe or get a chance on another buck so I'm not pressured. I, honestly, got more out of watching his overzealous self chase those doe around than I would have if I had put him in my truck.
Whats funny is I called it early. I was thinking to myself I've seen these decent bucks all day without a shot, watch me sit until last light and only get a shot on a spike. Oh well, I learned much. Next year I don't think I'll waste my PTO on general season and just wait for late season. I know if I could get out one more day I'd probably connect on something.
Post by: fishnfur on November 19, 2016, 07:44:41 PM
No action in the timber well away from the roads today. Lots of fresh sign but all was quiet.
Post by: bobcat on November 19, 2016, 09:11:20 PM
Seems like there are great opportunities on private timberland. Probably will pull the trigger next year as well.
Story on how ya got the buck? Sitting, walking etc?
I did post a story, look at reply #61.
Post by: BigTines on November 20, 2016, 09:31:13 AM
Post by: justyhntr on November 20, 2016, 12:22:46 PM
Post by: JDHasty on November 20, 2016, 08:33:21 PM
Saw a few decent bucks yesterday and today, they were just browsing or hanging out. Didn't really notice any rut activity.
Post by: lokidog on November 20, 2016, 10:14:06 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 20, 2016, 11:40:21 PM
Saturday evening I had a real nice buck right next to me rubbing his face all over a tree he had torn up sometime earlier. Saw one real dandy buck this morning in my rear view mirrors as I was backing up a long driveway to throw a nice doe I had shot with my crossbow on the tailgate. He was walking up the driveway and stopped about twenty five yards short of where she had tipped over and was standing there for a few seconds.
Saw a few decent bucks yesterday and today, they were just browsing or hanging out. Didn't really notice any rut activity.
You shot his girlfriend? :yike:
Another quiet day in 530. Unlike yesterday, hardly any hunters out - think they all gave up. Had our choice of perfect age clearcuts everywhere we went. Sat in pouring rain and saw one doe and a four point bull. Maybe two shots heard all day.
Post by: JDHasty on November 21, 2016, 05:11:52 AM
Post by: AKBowman on November 24, 2016, 08:02:33 AM
Post by: predatorG on November 24, 2016, 10:22:01 AM
Has anyone seen any BT bucks running around rutty the past few days?
Couple days ago a spike followed a doe out onto my dirt road right as I drove by. He stopped and looked at me maybe 10 yards away before turning and going back where he cane from. I'm ready to sling some sticks!
Post by: Crunchy on November 24, 2016, 10:28:09 AM
Post by: Rainstorm Hunter on November 24, 2016, 10:39:05 AM
Post by: AKBowman on November 24, 2016, 01:58:58 PM
Normal stuff now, pretty much totally shut down any activity after the 15th of Nov. I think I'm going to head east and try for a WT on NF land.
Post by: JDHasty on November 24, 2016, 05:03:03 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 24, 2016, 09:03:45 PM