Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: lokidog on September 17, 2017, 09:26:30 AM

Title: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: lokidog on September 17, 2017, 09:26:30 AM: :-)

Actually, the buck we got yesterday had surprisingly smelly tarsal glands. They weren't stained yet, but had a definite aroma.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: GUscottie on September 17, 2017, 10:41:22 AM: The deer in Newcastle are all getting rutty...They did just rub their antlers! It's gonna be any day now!
Title: Re: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: fishnfur on September 17, 2017, 01:10:32 PM: Hey Loki,
Are you going to post a pic of that harvest or what?
Title: Re: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: Kvw4x4 on September 17, 2017, 01:55:28 PM: Saw a couple black tail bucks fighting last night. Up in Whatcom county.
Title: Re: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: lokidog on September 17, 2017, 02:14:45 PM: Quote from: fishnfur on September 17, 2017, 01:10:32 PM
Hey Loki,
Are you going to post a pic of that harvest or what?
Title: Re: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: JakeLand on September 17, 2017, 09:57:19 PM: Nice !!! Me and a hunting buddy went out bear hunting/ scouting and found a area all tore up with deer hair on the broke brush ( looked like a fight) but they don't start rutting up until late October
Title: Re: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: lokidog on September 17, 2017, 10:02:06 PM: My question was a bit of a joke. However, I was surprised that there was any smell going on already, though maybe I'm just in denial about how fast this year is going by.....
Title: Re: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: fishnfur on September 17, 2017, 11:47:48 PM: Nice one Loki. Did you guys take him out of your blind?

I think I've read every word ever written about BT deer. I don't remember any discussion of the tarsals changing in odiferous intensity over the course of the year. It would make sense that as testosterone levels rise, the scent glands secrete more compounds, but of course, I've never smelled the tarsal of a buck that wasn't somewhere in the rut phase. Perhaps your buck was going to be a real stinker six weeks from now. (?) Anyways, thanks for posting. I think your pic is number two for posted success shots for BT bucks (so far). We needed some action!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jake - Scott Haugen states that the local bucks in any given area have already worked out who is king of the hill well in advance of the rut, so regarding the torn up ground and brush you observed: I'm wondering if one of the younger local bucks challenged an older buck early on in order to establish his dominance well before the rutting season, which resulted in the evidence of the fight. Could happen I suppose. :dunno:
Title: Re: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: pope on September 19, 2017, 12:03:39 PM: Definitely rutting down my way! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: fishnfur on September 19, 2017, 01:53:59 PM: Two bruisers fighting to the death! Good find Pope!
Title: Re: Is the rut starting yet? Someone had to ask...
Post by: pope on September 19, 2017, 05:14:52 PM: Quote from: fishnfur on September 19, 2017, 01:53:59 PM
Two bruisers fighting to the death! Good find Pope!

Lots of fun and the first time I'd witnessed sparring bucks. I was returning from an after-work mountain bike ride and just happened to have my phone with me (I usually leave it at home).