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Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Rufous on May 05, 2009, 10:20:27 PM


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Title: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: Rufous on May 05, 2009, 10:20:27 PM
I wonder if anyone could tell me when the whitetail rut is peaking generally both in the Blues and up in the north eastern part of WA. Thanks much, Brian.
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 05, 2009, 10:33:49 PM
There is no late buck hunt in the Blues, unless you draw a special tag.  Even then, that special tag only seems to catch the pre-rut, and maybe if you are lucky the front end of the actual rut. 
In my experience you are probably better off hunting the late buck in the NE corner and hoping for a cold snap...
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: bone head on May 05, 2009, 10:36:34 PM
down here in eastern oregon we do have a late muzzleloader hunt for whitetails around thanksgiving time and its in the blues, its called the west of the blues
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: colockumelk on May 05, 2009, 10:52:09 PM
This last year around Colfax it seemed to peak the four or five days leading up to Thanksgiving. 
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 05, 2009, 11:04:57 PM
When I was a kid we had a cold snap during the late buck, then it snowed a foot and the temp went up to about 40 degrees.  Deer went into a "hyper-rut".  It was crazy for two days.  Eyes swelled shut, bucks running everywhere, deer running into trees...  My stepdad and I both tagged up, I saw him shoot one of the biggest whitetails I have ever seen.  It was ramming (not rubbing, ramming) it's head against a stout, forearm-sized pine tree.  I missed a chance at a huge whitey and wound up shooting a little freakhorn that walked right under my treestand.  That was the last two days of the late buck (I think it may have been 1985? 86?).  But I have only seen it like that once.  Moon and stars must have lined up for us just right that year.
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: EastWaViking on May 06, 2009, 11:57:38 AM
If you are hunting rifle, plan on the last two days of the late season, if you are archery hunt the first week of late season.  That is the peak of the rut in NE WA.
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: jackelope on May 06, 2009, 12:30:31 PM
don't discount the pre-rut....really good stuff there too.
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: boneaddict on May 06, 2009, 12:32:34 PM
For 5$ each, I'll tell you which day to be in teh woods for the most whitetail action as evidenced by about 20 consecutive years of HARD study. 
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: jackelope on May 06, 2009, 12:35:02 PM
will you accept paypal? and do you think that day would carryover for the blues region too?
 :chuckle:
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: Slider on May 06, 2009, 05:30:39 PM
For 5$ each, I'll tell you which day to be in teh woods for the most whitetail action as evidenced by about 20 consecutive years of HARD study. 

Here ya go. You owe me $95.00................. :chuckle:
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: Slayock on May 06, 2009, 06:05:47 PM
The years that I have drawn the late buck hunt for the Blues it was a week after the hunt closed before they started ruting hard.  Most years it takes some snow or a cold spell to get them started earlier.
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 06, 2009, 07:08:17 PM
The years that I have drawn the late buck hunt for the Blues it was a week after the hunt closed before they started ruting hard.  Most years it takes some snow or a cold spell to get them started earlier.
:yeah:
CoryTDF's dad got drawn for that tag this year.  They experienced the same from what I understand.
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: ThePascoKid on May 06, 2009, 07:41:43 PM
That's why the smart guy goes ML that late season permit for the foothills is smack dab in the middle of it, mostly dinkers of course, wouldn't waste my time
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: boneaddict on May 06, 2009, 07:51:25 PM
 :)
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: jackelope on May 06, 2009, 08:50:57 PM
That's why the smart guy goes ML that late season permit for the foothills is smack dab in the middle of it, mostly dinkers of course, wouldn't waste my time

yeah...mostly dinks
 ;D
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: TeacherMan on May 06, 2009, 09:04:17 PM
I know the answer to this one, I have it down to within a day in Ferry County. I can think of 8 deer that I have shot over the years that fall on two dates in the month of November, man I always make sure I'm in the woods on those days.  :chuckle:  ;)
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: superdown on May 07, 2009, 01:27:13 PM
the 17th :)
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: Intruder on May 07, 2009, 01:57:56 PM
I thought the rut peak on Wed.... hump day :chuckle:
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: WSU on May 07, 2009, 06:51:29 PM
Around Pullman it seems to be the tail end of rifle seasons.  Anytime you get nasty weather is good though.
Title: Re: whitetail rut peak?
Post by: Rufous on May 07, 2009, 08:50:02 PM
Hey guys I sure appreciate your input. Brian.
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