Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Billy74 on October 30, 2021, 04:54:07 PM

Title: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: Billy74 on October 30, 2021, 04:54:07 PM: I was planning on heading back into 105 for the late hunt because thats where Ive seen the most does but wondering will bucks start to be looking for ladies that early? Having only seen 1 spike when I was there in Oct i was hoping colder weather or pre rut activity might put more bucks on the move there. I wish I could hunt the last days of the season but stuck with what I got. I was hoping anyone who hunts 105 might have insight into what bucks are doing then and there. Would rattling or grunting have a place at this time?

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Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: Seabass on October 30, 2021, 05:15:52 PM: That might be the best 5 days of the whole season. You should have fun.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 01, 2021, 04:39:40 AM: Rattling and grunting will help attract some bucks. Try to set up down wind of known doe bedding areas by at least 100 yards. Find those less traveled trails that intersect the more beat up trails and set up up hill and down wind. Or stand hunt. Could be real good that time of year as bucks are possibly cruising for does and scent checking or moving from first to second doe. When calling and rattlin try to create a scene whether it’s a fight scene or just a couple bucks lightly sparring. Raking and stomping the ground all help to round out the real ness
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: vandeman17 on November 01, 2021, 08:30:17 AM: we are usually up in NE corner around those dates hunting whitetails. Our strategy is simple but effective. Find a spot where the deer are traveling, find a spot that you can get a little bit of a view and sit there ALL day. I was talking to a buddy the other day and was racking my brain about our hunts over the years and I can't recall the last tag we filled in the first hour or last hour of light. Plenty of deer have hit the dirt between 10-2 which helps us just sit and be patient. It may not be the most exciting way to hunt but has given us our best odds over the years. Good luck
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: buckfvr on November 01, 2021, 08:48:22 AM: Thats how you get them. Patience is your tool.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: Billy74 on November 05, 2021, 11:14:30 PM: I really appreciate everyone’s positive input. As a newish hunter hearing that boosts confidence and can mean the difference between staying out till dark or second guessing myself and packing up early. I feel like that’s where I’m at. I’ve learned a lot these past few years and just need a win. Again, really appreciate everyone’s advice, thanks a ton.

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Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: Mossy on November 05, 2021, 11:23:33 PM: Quote from: Billy74 on November 05, 2021, 11:14:30 PM
I really appreciate everyone’s positive input. As a newish hunter hearing that boosts confidence and can mean the difference between staying out till dark or second guessing myself and packing up early. I feel like that’s where I’m at. I’ve learned a lot these past few years and just need a win. Again, really appreciate everyone’s advice, thanks a ton.

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We all second guess ourselves; especially when you hear from guys that get it done every year like clockwork. The more time you spend in the woods, the better your odds.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: tgomez on November 06, 2021, 11:49:07 PM: No rattling today, but I did periodically use a Primos "The Can" bleat call. I saw two bucks today, one was a tall 3x3 whitetail and a small 2x2 I eneded up shooting at 340 yards. This was unit 105 Kelly Hill, and the small buck I harvested was definitely rutting. He stunk, and it's definitely getting into rutting activity up in the Norteast corner.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 07, 2021, 03:29:36 AM: Quote from: tgomez on November 06, 2021, 11:49:07 PM
No rattling today, but I did periodically use a Primos "The Can" bleat call. I saw two bucks today, one was a tall 3x3 whitetail and a small 2x2 I eneded up shooting at 340 yards. This was unit 105 Kelly Hill, and the small buck I harvested was definitely rutting. He stunk, and it's definitely getting into rutting activity up in the Norteast corner.

Nice job on your harvest! Way to stick it out in the wet weather.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: boneaddict on November 07, 2021, 04:19:34 AM: Congrats on the buck! That’s what I am seeing as well.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on November 07, 2021, 05:41:24 AM: Mulies rutting like crazy here but the whitetails not so...I have about 15 whitetail does around and a couple small bucks and no sniffing..no chasing..no lip curling...YET
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: chukarchaser on November 07, 2021, 08:56:40 AM: the 14thru the 19th have always been the best for us with the later being the better. I totally agree with the 10-2 statement, We have done really well then.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: Aeron on November 07, 2021, 09:04:08 AM: Once you start to feel like packing up...THAT's the time to sit. Recognize that, and consciously say to yourself that you need to sit another hour or two - at least.
Also, the 10th-15th are going to be busy days in the woods. Everyone makes a long weekend out of the veterans day holiday. All the more reason to sit and let someone else push them towards you.
Over here in Idaho, not seeing any rutting activity by the whitetails - yet. Seeing more bucks on the cams, but no rut behavior yet. Any time now though, any time.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: vandeman17 on November 07, 2021, 09:44:22 AM: Quote from: Aeron on November 07, 2021, 09:04:08 AM
Once you start to feel like packing up...THAT's the time to sit. Recognize that, and consciously say to yourself that you need to sit another hour or two - at least.
Also, the 10th-15th are going to be busy days in the woods. Everyone makes a long weekend out of the veterans day holiday. All the more reason to sit and let someone else push them towards you.
Over here in Idaho, not seeing any rutting activity by the whitetails - yet. Seeing more bucks on the cams, but no rut behavior yet. Any time now though, any time.

Agreed on the sitting part. All it takes is a minute for things to go from “man this is boring” to “wow that happened fast” and a notched tag. I also agree with the timing of Veterans Day as we do this each year for our few days of Washington deer hunting. Would prefer to hunt last few days of season but that is when we are loading up to head to Montana.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: tgomez on November 07, 2021, 10:03:08 AM: Rutnbuxnbulls= Thank you,, it was a wet day. It was well worth the effort and fun as always.

Bonneaddict= Appreciate the congratulations good sir. I did see a few small scrapes, and one rub as well. This little fellas tarsals were ripe!🤢
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: vandeman17 on November 10, 2021, 11:39:19 AM: My old man headed out this morning to set up our tent for the next few days and I will be headed out after work in time to get a few hours sleep before hitting the stand in the morning. Forecast looks like rain/snow mix the next few days so hoping I can get my gear dried out enough each evening to be able to sit all day. Good luck to everyone that is headed out. Be safe and have fun
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: buckfvr on November 10, 2021, 12:07:33 PM: Seeing 20ish deer per night, only small bucks, once in a
while they spar, other than that its quiet as can be west of Kentry.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: vandeman17 on November 10, 2021, 01:04:56 PM: Quote from: buckfvr on November 10, 2021, 12:07:33 PM
Seeing 20ish deer per night, only small bucks, once in a
while they spar, other than that its quiet as can be west of Kentry.

I am hoping with each passing day, the daytime activity picks up a little bit and maybe some weather will help keep them moving a bit more as well.
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: baldopepper on November 10, 2021, 01:24:31 PM: Beautiful day over here today but rain supposed to be back tomorrow. Don't know about other areas,, but not much activity around me. Seeing a few mule deer bucks chasing, but no real activity from the whitetails. Couple bunches of does and fawns nearby I've seen daily, but no bucks showing up with them yet. Back roads are pretty sloppy and with more rain coming you'll wanna be careful where you go. Little bit of snow we got Monday is mostly gone except quite high up and then only an inch or two
Title: Re: NE late rifle 11th-16th and buck behavior.
Post by: vandeman17 on November 10, 2021, 01:31:36 PM: Quote from: baldopepper on November 10, 2021, 01:24:31 PM
Beautiful day over here today but rain supposed to be back tomorrow. Don't know about other areas,, but not much activity around me. Seeing a few mule deer bucks chasing, but no real activity from the whitetails. Couple bunches of does and fawns nearby I've seen daily, but no bucks showing up with them yet. Back roads are pretty sloppy and with more rain coming you'll wanna be careful where you go. Little bit of snow we got Monday is mostly gone except quite high up and then only an inch or two

Fingers crossed that changes over the next few days so we can at least get some meat in the freezer before heading to Montana