Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: kramman on November 07, 2018, 04:10:13 PM

Title: Whitetail rut
Post by: kramman on November 07, 2018, 04:10:13 PM: There's a b.t rut thread and a central wa rut thread, what about Whitey's let's not leave them out! What's everyone seeing where they are at.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: bosshogg112 on November 07, 2018, 04:11:56 PM: Tagging along...
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: 2MANY on November 07, 2018, 04:38:36 PM: This thread is racist.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on November 07, 2018, 05:09:22 PM: No sign yet...no sniffing does..no scrapes...no fighting..no chasing.. I have five bucks coming in together with no hostility among them. As of this morning.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: ASienkiewich on November 07, 2018, 05:22:52 PM: Isn’t the whitetail rut normally around thanksgiving? That’s what I’ve experienced

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Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on November 07, 2018, 08:06:55 PM: I've seen the chase phase as early as the 13th of Nov. with breeding by the 20th. I've notched more tags on the 17th of Nov. than any other date. Where I am some of the bigger bucks are done with rutting and losing their antlers as early as the 10th of Dec.---got pics-- . I've talked with late season archery hunters that shot bucks on the 15th of Dec. only to have their antlers come off when they tried to drag them by the antler. Some bucks up here hold their antlers until late Jan. Must be in their genes.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: huntnnw on November 07, 2018, 10:12:56 PM: chasing whitetails for 30 years I have noticed the rut peaks a full week sooner in the far northern units with peak chasing around Nov 13-19 and the further south you go around spokane the rut seems to peak Nov 17-24.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: ironhead14 on November 08, 2018, 04:46:32 AM: The cats, bears and wolves are winning in unit 124 where I live. Not much left for deer in my area.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 08, 2018, 05:18:48 AM: Lets just hope that doesn't become the norm
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: vandeman17 on November 08, 2018, 07:13:24 AM: I have been hearing the younger age class bucks are just starting so that should mean about 7-10 days until “peak”.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Tradhunter on November 08, 2018, 07:40:39 AM: That is kind of what I saw over the last couple days while scouting is the younger bucks and some just maturing are scraping and showing themselves in the daylight.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Molon5labe on November 08, 2018, 08:30:56 AM: I didn't find a single buck during early BT season so I'm getting pretty excited to try something new and chase some whitetail with this buck tag in a week or so
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Machias on November 08, 2018, 09:07:27 AM: I'm off for 2 full weeks, starting Saturday. Oh it's gong to be a lot of fun!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: skeeter 20i on November 08, 2018, 09:23:03 AM: Quote from: Machias on November 08, 2018, 09:07:27 AM
I'm off for 2 full weeks, starting Saturday. Oh it's gong to be a lot of fun!!!!!!!

+1 two weeks every year starting Saturday. :tup:
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: bosshogg112 on November 08, 2018, 09:25:43 AM: Quote from: buckcanyonlodge on November 07, 2018, 08:06:55 PM
I've seen the chase phase as early as the 13th of Nov. with breeding by the 20th. I've notched more tags on the 17th of Nov. than any other date. Where I am some of the bigger bucks are done with rutting and losing their antlers as early as the 10th of Dec.---got pics-- . I've talked with late season archery hunters that shot bucks on the 15th of Dec. only to have their antlers come off when they tried to drag them by the antler. Some bucks up here hold their antlers until late Jan. Must be in their genes.

I have killed the majority of my bucks on the 17th as well.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Jgarrigus on November 08, 2018, 09:50:08 AM: After hunting the early modern firearm and seeing only does, this thread gets me excited to catch some of the rut in these NE units for late hunt. have never hunted a late deer since its first year hunting up this way.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: HotRod on November 08, 2018, 10:15:23 AM: Quote from: huntnnw on November 07, 2018, 10:12:56 PM
chasing whitetails for 30 years I have noticed the rut peaks a full week sooner in the far northern units with peak chasing around Nov 13-19 and the further south you go around spokane the rut seems to peak Nov 17-24.

I've hunted the NE corner for almost 20 years and what I've seen is also between Nov 13th - 19th as the peak of the rut with the majority of my kills coming on the 13th. My last 3 have all been on the 13th. Last years buck was tending a doe grunting up a storm when I took it on the 13th.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Doublelunger on November 08, 2018, 11:21:20 AM: Quote from: huntnnw on November 07, 2018, 10:12:56 PM
chasing whitetails for 30 years I have noticed the rut peaks a full week sooner in the far northern units with peak chasing around Nov 13-19 and the further south you go around spokane the rut seems to peak Nov 17-24.

:yeah: If I had to pick one week to hunt the Northern units it would be the 13-19. I killed my biggest buck ever on the 11th and my second biggest on the 19th.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: TriggerMike on November 08, 2018, 11:55:01 PM: Quote from: vandeman17 on November 08, 2018, 07:13:24 AM
I have been hearing the younger age class bucks are just starting so that should mean about 7-10 days until “peak”.
Do younger bucks start rutting earlier?
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: vandeman17 on November 09, 2018, 07:40:42 AM: Quote from: TriggerMike on November 08, 2018, 11:55:01 PM
Quote from: vandeman17 on November 08, 2018, 07:13:24 AM
I have been hearing the younger age class bucks are just starting so that should mean about 7-10 days until “peak”.
Do younger bucks start rutting earlier?

I believe they all start the rut at the same time but the younger bucks start showing rut activity earlier. The older, more mature bucks are patient and wait for the prime time for when most the does reach peak estrus.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Bobvernon2 on November 09, 2018, 07:54:46 AM: Just found some scrapes yesterday morning on a scouting mission.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: TommyH on November 09, 2018, 08:05:37 AM: Lots of scrapes on the ground. A buddie grunted one in a few days ago.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Bango skank on November 09, 2018, 08:10:58 AM: I found a couple fresh scrapes yesterday, and made a few myself.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Tradhunter on November 09, 2018, 08:25:19 AM: Any chance a young whitetail buck could get confused with mule deer rutting and start scraping and getting all worked up early? I have been seeing scrapes for several days now but it just seems super early to me? I do agree that the more mature bucks will hold off until the doe are pretty much ready to breed from what I have seen but I have only been bowhunting whitetails for about 4 years now so I am still learning them. I shot my 143'' buck on the 18th last year and he was completely stuck to a doe. As a matter of fact, I saw him on the way to my stand and shot him on the ground and he just stood there staring at me haha. I wouldn't expect that to happen very often. I hope the rut is not early as my reservations are for the 15th to start hunting.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: vandeman17 on November 09, 2018, 08:48:12 AM: Quote from: Tradhunter on November 09, 2018, 08:25:19 AM
Any chance a young whitetail buck could get confused with mule deer rutting and start scraping and getting all worked up early? I have been seeing scrapes for several days now but it just seems super early to me? I do agree that the more mature bucks will hold off until the doe are pretty much ready to breed from what I have seen but I have only been bowhunting whitetails for about 4 years now so I am still learning them. I shot my 143'' buck on the 18th last year and he was completely stuck to a doe. As a matter of fact, I saw him on the way to my stand and shot him on the ground and he just stood there staring at me haha. I wouldn't expect that to happen very often. I hope the rut is not early as my reservations are for the 15th to start hunting.

15th is perfect. The rut lasts a few weeks and has multiple high and low points. You should be just fine
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: ALLTERRAIN on November 09, 2018, 01:55:37 PM: I’m no expert on whitetail but 90% of my wt for the last 25 years have the 15th to the 19th. Heading north for the next week of fun. LOVE chasing whitetail!!!
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: ALLTERRAIN on November 09, 2018, 01:59:04 PM: Forgot to mention that that’s when I see the start of the more serious rut activity.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Ghost Hunter on November 09, 2018, 02:46:44 PM: On my way very soon. See if I can confirm these statistics. Been a few years since I've hunted late season WT. Hoping to make a practice of it.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: jnevs23 on November 09, 2018, 06:30:35 PM: Shot my whitetail last year on Nov 15. He was chasing a doe
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: PA BEN on November 10, 2018, 10:56:15 AM: Bucks are definitely following does and scraping this morning.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Stein on November 10, 2018, 01:15:55 PM: Mule deer are not rutting, bighorn are. I wish I could report on whitetail, hopefully later today.

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Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Quackwhacker on November 10, 2018, 04:34:48 PM: We were north of Omak today. No rut activity. Does were out feeding all day.

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Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Emptyhanded on November 10, 2018, 05:00:58 PM: Watched a spike chase a few does around yesterday in 127. Should be close!

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Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Stein on November 10, 2018, 05:01:49 PM: Correction: mule deer smaller bucks are chasing around, does not interested and big bucks not showing yet.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: jnevs23 on November 10, 2018, 06:23:18 PM: Hunted 124 for a couple hours this morning before the kids basketball, then this evening checking out a new spot. Saw a 2 point on the drive in that looked like he was out on the prowl. Other than that lots of does out feeding and no sign of rut activity. Pretty small sample size tho
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Jimmer on November 10, 2018, 06:25:04 PM: 117.. zero rut activity. Saw 3 mature bucks 3 1/2 year old and two 4 1/2 years plus. They were out and about a little earlier than usual, but many does in the area and they weren’t checking or harassing them. Even though the bucks weren’t together, they were close enough to each other to know the other one was there and could care less. Not too surprised, pretty typical. It will start later this week.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: TriggerMike on November 10, 2018, 09:32:34 PM: Rattled in and killed a nice mature WT on November 16th last year. NE corner.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: golfguy0912 on November 10, 2018, 10:02:02 PM: Mule deer are rutting hard in 215, little to nothing for whitetails yet.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Jimmer on November 10, 2018, 10:06:12 PM: Same thing every year...no secret. Give or take a couple days.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: vandeman17 on November 11, 2018, 04:13:30 PM: Just got back from quick trip to 117. Buddy shot his first buck, little spike. Checked cameras and have pics of bucks sparing and showing good rut activity. Few scrapes around as well
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: elkboy on November 11, 2018, 07:10:09 PM: I am currently hunting my Idaho whitetail tag. Got out yesterday- I believe I rattled in two bucks, but the wind was shifty, and I heard some running in the brush. Saw two does in the morning, but no buck after them (yet). Other than that, quiet.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: rashannon81 on November 11, 2018, 07:55:23 PM: I was in Nov. 9- 11th. No scrapes or rubs where i was. Hardly any movement at all as well. Might have to go back next weekend.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on November 11, 2018, 07:57:16 PM: It's on!! While BBQ ing a salmon about 6 tonight there were two bucks fighting in the front yard. they tussled a bit and broke off to check out a doe further to the north.
Just two minutes ago (7:52 pm) I checked out a buck crossing the yard nose to the ground and as soon as he saw a doe the chase was on. The other does in the yard scattered. Think I'll just sit on the deck tonight and see what else happens.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: huntnnw on November 11, 2018, 10:11:28 PM: biggest bucks I have ever laid eyes on in my life 170"+ deer I have yet to see one prior to the 20th. All have been Nov 21-26 says something. Biggest bucks I have killed have been after the 20th
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: nwwanderer on November 12, 2018, 12:13:46 PM: Three bucks bedded together today, they look the part but the hormones must not be at the outrageous stage, yet!!!!
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Doublelunger on November 12, 2018, 01:30:01 PM: Keep in mind their will always be a few does that come into heat a little early and can get some bucks going crazy. That doesn't mean it's full swing. If you're not seeing it yet and some of your buddies are dont panic it'll happen.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Birdguy on November 12, 2018, 05:59:50 PM: Spent our last four days in 204, many 2 point mule deer bumping does and NO FEAR of people. Whitetails several does but no bucks seen, a few small rubs and several scrapes. Light snow and rutting mule deer was awesome Friday!!
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: vandeman17 on November 12, 2018, 07:06:30 PM: It’s going
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: rashannon81 on November 12, 2018, 07:22:35 PM: I love me some good cam footage. Last ditch effort this weekend!
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: bucknut69 on November 12, 2018, 10:24:49 PM: Anyone else in 142 hunting the Palouse buck tag right now? Young bucks starting to sniff around and move a bit more while the older ones are not full necked and holding tight harder. Cold and shrinking daylight starting to heat things up a bit though with more daytime deer movement... 8)
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: huntnnw on November 12, 2018, 10:26:44 PM: rarely see nice bucks chasing this early this weekend is when things usually heat up
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: ALLTERRAIN on November 13, 2018, 04:10:38 PM: Up in gmu110, had 2 bucks grunting this early am in 2 diff areas. Saw small 3 point chasing a doe a little later, could have been the last one I heard grunting. It’s starting!!!
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: ladder85 on November 14, 2018, 10:32:30 PM: Ok y’all, just got back from the huckleberry unit and here’s my update and two cents ... I haven’t ever seen this so called rut. I’ve seen what I feel like a Rut is In my eyes (ok tv) but I have very little experience except I have seen more deer do dumber things during certain specific days that I cannot put together to solve this riddle on the (specific day).. I can tell you. I hunted my a$$ off so far and no bucks are with does... I haven’t seen a buck all season with the exception that my game trail has caught some action lately and this is the first photos that I’ve caught all season... my feeling is, if you hunt rifle. In my specific area.. you will not see the rut...

I contemplate coming back up to this unit and attempting to rattle one in after season to see if this actually works. (For fun) since my season will be over more then likely after the rut begins...

Everyone excuse the sarcasm but I hunt hard- (in my eyes )I walk and wash all clothing in scent free and I’m very slow to get to where I need to go and hasn’t. Paid off for two years now.. declining deer population seems to be a big problem but anywho

God luck to all this weekend and may someone see what this so called rut looks like.😂
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: huntnnw on November 14, 2018, 10:43:34 PM: By the 16th and later bucks will be out actively pursuing does.. money days are 17th -19th with this season.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on November 15, 2018, 12:25:22 AM: Quote from: huntnnw on November 14, 2018, 10:43:34 PM
By the 16th and later bucks will be out actively pursuing does.. money days are 17th -19th with this season.
That’s what I like to hear. I’ll be in unit 11 here in Idaho hunting whitetails for those exact 3 days. Planned it in July.

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Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: huntnnw on November 15, 2018, 02:07:31 AM: lotta bucks been moving in that unit this week. I know someone hunting it seeing 10+ plus bucks a day
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Molon5labe on November 15, 2018, 03:42:14 AM: Heading out today for 4 days in 215. I'm pretty excited!
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: grundy53 on November 15, 2018, 04:12:47 AM: Headed over to Idaho right now. Hopefully it starts to heat up.

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Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: boneaddict on November 15, 2018, 05:48:39 AM: I rattled in a couple yesterday and had one chasing. Its not hot yet, but the stove is certainly starting to crank
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Bango skank on November 15, 2018, 06:28:13 PM: So this afternoon i moved to a different stand, and right away here comes a big bad 7x6. He was hanging up in the brush about 70 yards out, acting pretty weird. I tried the doe bleat can, he wasnt having it. After a while i grunted, he couldnt care less. A while later he pushes a doe out. For the next 3 hours i watched him bird dogging her, head down sniffing, mostly staying between 20-40 yards or so away from her, shadowing her, while occasionally running at her and chasing a short ways. I watched him make 3 scrapes during this time. Stand was on the edge of more mature timber, semi open, so i could see pretty well. They spent a couple hours doing this in front of me within 70-100 yards. About 45 min before dark, the doe started walking straight towards me, buck in tow about 20 yards behind. I thought it was happening, but when she got about 40 yards from me she turned 90° and went up the hill into the thick stuff and took the buck with her. Man, so close but so far. Im not about to launch an arrow 60 yards at a deer. 5 days of hunting this season , 30 remaining, and ive already laid eyes on the 2 best bucks i have on cam in this area, but no good shot opportunities presented themselves yet.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on November 15, 2018, 06:46:59 PM: Quote from: grundy53 on November 15, 2018, 04:12:47 AM
Headed over to Idaho right now. Hopefully it starts to heat up.

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I'm here now and it's starting :tup: my cuz just killed a big one and I grunted and can called a nice one for my buddy
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Naches Sportsman on November 15, 2018, 06:50:53 PM: Quote from: deerhunter_98520 on November 15, 2018, 06:46:59 PM
Quote from: grundy53 on November 15, 2018, 04:12:47 AM
Headed over to Idaho right now. Hopefully it starts to heat up.

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I'm here now and it's starting :tup: my cuz just killed a big one and I grunted and can called a nice one for my buddy

I found a place this afternoon without Californians or Washington people all over and rattled in two.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on November 16, 2018, 06:28:13 AM: I'm the only one hunting this ridge and there hasn't been a wolf track one on here...think I found a sweet spot between packs, ...surrounding ridges are loaded with predator sign and quads from locals...I haven't seen anyone else from Washington here all week
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: nwwanderer on November 16, 2018, 04:09:44 PM: The job can really tire a guy out, happening now
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Ridgerunner on November 16, 2018, 09:31:52 PM: Hoping to see one like that tomorrow.

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Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on November 17, 2018, 06:27:41 AM: I seen one bigger yesterday and didn't know he was there till the doe ran off and he went running after her :bash:
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: SpurInSpokane on November 19, 2018, 09:13:19 AM: Watched a 4pt chase a doe this morning off my back deck. First time I'd seen rut activity that close up, actually heard him give a few grunts.
Too bad I had to be at work this morning, and couldn't be out for the last day of the late firearm season...
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: boneaddict on November 19, 2018, 10:08:59 AM: Besides the weather, today would be a great day to be out in the whitetail woods.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Bango skank on November 26, 2018, 05:02:46 AM: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: jackelope on November 26, 2018, 06:26:29 AM: Rutting pretty hard over the weekend in SE WA. I watched multiple bucks chasing does pretty much every day. Mostly smaller bucks but did see one nice buck Saturday afternoon. It was fun.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: elkboy on November 26, 2018, 07:07:37 AM: I was out of town for a week. So there is still a bit of the whitetail rut left?
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: nwwanderer on November 26, 2018, 07:19:04 AM: One just walked through the yard on a mission, very active right now
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Grizman on November 26, 2018, 10:22:45 AM: Had a small 3 point stand in the middle of the road looking like he wanted to fight my car😂
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: 2MANY on November 26, 2018, 03:41:37 PM: It's on.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: elkboy on November 26, 2018, 10:13:59 PM: I slipped over to Idaho for the last hour and a half of hunting light, and rattled/grunted in this fine and interesting whitetail buck. He is a 2.5 year old with lots of character, and a heavy body. I am blessed to have him. I took him with Federal PowerShok Copper in .243. Amazingly effective.

His left antler has a lot of character. He broke off a point from the main beam, but also seems to have broken away a "secondary antler" growing from the base of that antler as well. The world of deer never ceases to amaze me.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: bowhunterforever on November 28, 2018, 12:17:24 AM: Cool buck elkboy :tup:
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: huntnnw on November 28, 2018, 02:59:09 AM: already seeing smaller bucks feeding now on my cams in 127 as to just 5 days ago they were chasing the does all over.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Bango skank on November 28, 2018, 03:55:57 AM: Yesterday the wind was screwy as hell, couldnt hunt any of my stands. Decided to take off for a bit. Got in my truck, headed out. At about 0830 i was just about a quarter mile from pavement and saw an absolute pig of a buck chasing 2 does, and a smaller average buck also chasing, but staying behind the big boy a ways.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Bango skank on November 28, 2018, 04:04:52 AM: As of about a week ago, one of the bucks im hunting has had his left ear absolutely shredded, and one of his tines busted off. Been getting his butt whooped.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: Seabass on November 29, 2018, 07:02:59 AM: Still a lot of chasing on my cameras.
Title: Re: Whitetail rut
Post by: bowhunterforever on November 29, 2018, 09:50:32 PM: Quote from: Seabass on November 29, 2018, 07:02:59 AM
Still a lot of chasing on my cameras.
:yeah:X2 its starting to whined down though