Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: elkboy on October 29, 2020, 06:18:52 PM
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Hey fellow whitetail addicts-
Please correct me if there is already a 2020 whitetail activity thread. Here are my observations from this year (I will add on as I see more). My location is Whitman County (GMUs 139/142), for reference, and I will be heading to Idaho periodically (8, 8A, 11A).
September 20-25- afternoon-evening- small to medium bucks play-sparring with increasing vigor. Bigger bucks still out feeding here and there, but not interested in sparring.
September 26-Oct 4 (muzzleloader season)- whitetails actively feeding in late afternoon/early evening.
October 27- evening- I observed two small bucks (1x1, 2x2) grunting and chasing does, who evaded their efforts. Bigger bucks seemed to be keeping out of sight, likely due to the early fall hunting seasons putting them on alert.
Good luck to all of you still pursuing whitetail this year!
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Hey fellow whitetail addicts-
Please correct me if there is already a 2020 whitetail activity thread. Here are my observations from this year (I will add on as I see more). My location is Whitman County (GMUs 139/142), for reference, and I will be heading to Idaho periodically (8, 8A, 11A).
September 20-25- afternoon-evening- small to medium bucks play-sparring with increasing vigor. Bigger bucks still out feeding here and there, but not interested in sparring.
September 26-Oct 4 (muzzleloader season)- whitetails actively feeding in late afternoon/early evening.
October 27- evening- I observed two small bucks (1x1, 2x2) grunting and chasing does, who evaded their efforts. Bigger bucks seemed to be keeping out of sight, likely due to the early fall hunting seasons putting them on alert.
Good luck to all of you still pursuing whitetail this year!
As you’re aware, I’ll chime in later on in the season. Good post!
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Thanks id appreciate updates from idaho as I am eagerly waiting to hunt there the week before Thanksgiving.
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Lots of deer activity, but no big bucks. I sat a tree stand over on the Idaho side from 3:00 PM to dark, in a small stand of western redcedar and Engelmann spruce set in a draw between stands of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine. Between 4:30 and dark I had seven whitetails come through- three mature does and four younger deer (including a spike with nubs beneath the hair). They fed for a long time in the understory vegetation (sedges, blackcap raspberry) before moving on to the farm field to the west. I had hoped a big buck might also use this area as a "staging area" in this way, but no such luck. Still, fun to spend time watching deer.
Still kind of a typical summer behavior pattern, but the big bucks are holding back in the shadows. I did see tracks of a large buck, but likely indicated nighttime activity. No scrapes observed yet. I am hoping that things might begin to pick up next weekend (Nov 7-8).
Cheers all.
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Last night saw first evidence of the coming rut as a 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 yr old 10pt Im familiar with was shadowing a doe. He matched her movements from about 20 yards. I actually saw 3 of the 4 target ( 2 8's, a 10, and an 11 pt) shooter bucks for my wife last night after not seeing any of them the last 10 days, except on cam at night. Still waiting to see what "travelers" show up.
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Was up setting stands and hanging cameras yesterday. Came across one new scrape that I smelled before I saw it. It’s between our two stands so hopefully we see him next weekend
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Thanks for the input, gentlemen! My hopes are high for next weekend!
Saw a fellow local hunter in the coffee shop this morning, and he said the larger whitetails on his farm are still under cover, but that he is pretty excited for late archery.
Cheers.
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Seems to me the big boys dont get excited until mid month. Action usually starts around the 14th or 15th imo
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Seems to me the big boys dont get excited until mid month. Action usually starts around the 14th or 15th imo
Bango, you could always post a photo of your WT buck from last year to motivate the rest of us... :chuckle:
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Seems to me the big boys dont get excited until mid month. Action usually starts around the 14th or 15th imo
I agree with this. My experience is pre-rut goes down around the 8-15 of november then things start to ramp up
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Scrapes being established and chasing starting up, at least locally here (SE WA, adjacent Idaho).
Cheers to you all.
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Out my door as we speak in 127 I have 2 3yr olds harassing does
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Out my door as we speak in 127 I have 2 3yr olds harassing does
We are headed out tomorrow night. Can give report in 117 in a few days
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Idaho unit 8: Smaller bucks have started giving attention to does. Rub and scrape activity has picked up this week. Although the mature bucks i've seen have been bedded before sunrise with minimal movement in the evening. The bigger deer didn't really start to chase until around the 17th last year.
Any update for units 121/124 WA?
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On Tuesday just outside of Mica I came across 4 or 5 scrapes down an old skid trail. No fresh rubs or deer sighted though.
Today I was up near Ione, in an area I have been seeing lots of deer including a couple good bucks. I didn't see a single doe, or any rutting signs in the woods. I was up near 4000' and all day in just a long sleeve t shirt, warm weather.
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Buddy burning piles in 10A said he's seen the smaller bucks chasing the does as well. Some of the bigger bucks are still loners.
I'll be in unit 12 next week and will post what I see.
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Great info, all! I will be in Idaho 8A on Saturday, and hope to report on what I see.
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I'll report what I've seen in Unit 5. Last weekend, Nov 1 I saw a mature buck cross open field cruising right at the end of shooting light, so like 6:01 PM. Hiking thru my spot I counted probably 20 open fresh rubs and 1/2 dozen scrapes, not big scrapes yet. As light faded to dark, I hiked thru a bucky spot and smelled musk, so he must've just crossed the trail minutes before me. Looks like the rut, smells like the rut, must be the RUT!
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Saw three fresh scrapes yesterday when I crossed into whitie territory. I was a bit surprised. Two of which were likely different bucks due to distance.
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I will give you guys the best advice I know.
I'm not talking rubs,scrapes,and all that.
I'm talking red hot bucks following does, slobbering all over themselves.
Northeast Washington
Last four days of season always has been always will be.
Find does in that last four days and you will see bucks. :twocents:
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I will give you guys the best advice I know.
I'm not talking rubs,scrapes,and all that.
I'm talking red hot bucks following does, slobbering all over themselves.
Northeast Washington
Last four days of season always has been always will be.
Find does in that last four days and you will see bucks. :twocents:
your saying like 14-19th cuz that’s my observation
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I will give you guys the best advice I know.
I'm not talking rubs,scrapes,and all that.
I'm talking red hot bucks following does, slobbering all over themselves.
Northeast Washington
Last four days of season always has been always will be.
Find does in that last four days and you will see bucks. :twocents:
your saying like 14-19th cuz that’s my observation
I guess we are on the same page, yes.
But mine is not an observation ,more like that's how it's always been for the past 20 years.
Well I guess it is a observation ,a 20 year observation. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
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The cellar door opens about the 12th, and the bucks spring forth from the earth. The little ones are usually leading the way. The 19th is THE day to be in the woods. Same day every year. I believe this year its a Thursday, and am back at work :bash:
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I will give you guys the best advice I know.
I'm not talking rubs,scrapes,and all that.
I'm talking red hot bucks following does, slobbering all over themselves.
Northeast Washington
Last four days of season always has been always will be.
Find does in that last four days and you will see bucks. :twocents:
your saying like 14-19th cuz that’s my observation
I guess we are on the same page, yes.
But mine is not an observation ,more like that's how it's always been for the past 20 years.
Well I guess it is a observation ,a 20 year observation. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Yeah haha well last year we were kicking ourselves for going the first week with little activity we ended up going the last week on a Monday and it was night and day from the first week last year so I’m sure they get rutting the same time frame year after year we are doing the last week this year
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I will give you guys the best advice I know.
I'm not talking rubs,scrapes,and all that.
I'm talking red hot bucks following does, slobbering all over themselves.
Northeast Washington
Last four days of season always has been always will be.
Find does in that last four days and you will see bucks. :twocents:
your saying like 14-19th cuz that’s my observation
I guess we are on the same page, yes.
But mine is not an observation ,more like that's how it's always been for the past 20 years.
Well I guess it is a observation ,a 20 year observation. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Yeah haha well last year we were kicking ourselves for going the first week with little activity we ended up going the last week on a Monday and it was night and day from the first week last year so I’m sure they get rutting the same time frame year after year we are doing the last week this year
I don't blame ya.
Shot my buck last year ,last day ,raining,soaking wet.
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I will give you guys the best advice I know.
I'm not talking rubs,scrapes,and all that.
I'm talking red hot bucks following does, slobbering all over themselves.
Northeast Washington
Last four days of season always has been always will be.
Find does in that last four days and you will see bucks. :twocents:
your saying like 14-19th cuz that’s my observation
I guess we are on the same page, yes.
But mine is not an observation ,more like that's how it's always been for the past 20 years.
Well I guess it is a observation ,a 20 year observation. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Yeah haha well last year we were kicking ourselves for going the first week with little activity we ended up going the last week on a Monday and it was night and day from the first week last year so I’m sure they get rutting the same time frame year after year we are doing the last week this year
I don't blame ya.
Shot my buck last year ,last day ,raining,
Yeah the last Monday where I was, was crispi and cold and they were chasing big time on the 18th thinking it will be the same this year
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I will give you guys the best advice I know.
I'm not talking rubs,scrapes,and all that.
I'm talking red hot bucks following does, slobbering all over themselves.
Northeast Washington
Last four days of season always has been always will be.
Find does in that last four days and you will see bucks. :twocents:
your saying like 14-19th cuz that’s my observation
I guess we are on the same page, yes.
But mine is not an observation ,more like that's how it's always been for the past 20 years.
Well I guess it is a observation ,a 20 year observation. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Yeah haha well last year we were kicking ourselves for going the first week with little activity we ended up going the last week on a Monday and it was night and day from the first week last year so I’m sure they get rutting the same time frame year after year we are doing the last week this year
I don't blame ya.
Shot my buck last year ,last day ,raining,
Yeah the last Monday where I was, was crispi and cold and they were chasing big time on the 18th thinking it will be the same this year
Next week is gonna be tough I’m itchin to get out 😂
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Little guys arent even pestering yet (here). My mock scrapes and licking branches are getting hammered at night. Only observed one of the little dinks work over a round fence post once so far but there are fresh shavings hitting the ground from 4 posts so theres more going on at night than meets the eye.
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Little guys arent even pestering yet (here). My mock scrapes and licking branches are getting hammered at night. Only observed one of the little dinks work over a round fence post once so far but there are fresh shavings hitting the ground from 4 posts so theres more going on at night than meets the eye.
Yeah it should kick off here in a week I feel like last year it really started the 16th
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Just got back from getting everything set up/scouting in 111. No sign of the rut kicking off yet. The deer are still pretty nocturnal and only a few rubs from younger bucks and a few younger bucks starting to feel their Planters peanuts. I agree with the previous timelines. I typically hunt from the 12th to the 19th and will do the same this year because the magic days are always right toward the end of the season.
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For a few different reasons, I ended my Idaho whitetail hunt early this year. I grunted this 4x4 buck in to six yards (4:15 PM Saturday the 7th; in dense timber with small patches of wet meadow), and then took him at 15 yards when he began to walk off. So, the younger bucks are responding to grunting and (possibly) rattling, since I did a little of both.
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great buck! we'll be over in 10 days. cant wait!
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My neighborhood bucks are getting restless. I had a good one trot down the road at 12:30 yesterday afternoon looking for love. GMU 130 ~2200'
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Thanks, Greenhead! And Walt, exciting to hear! Thanks for the detail.
And thanks to everyone for sharing their expertise. I will continue to go out over the next 2-3 weeks to N Idaho. I have a few good friends who I want to help get their bucks, and I am excited to continue the "experiments in rattling". I'll share what I learn.
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Just got back from central MT, zippo going on in the WT world, bucks had zero interest in anything other than hiding and eating, not sniffing the air or wandering around at all as of Friday.
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Almost non existent so far in 127. Bucks are moving more at night, but still preferring to eat than chase does. 0 mature ones on cam yet. I figure that will start changing by weekend
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Bad news, no sign of rut activity yet where im hunting. Good news, the young ones are always dumb, rut or not.
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Thanks for all the great whitetail info everybody. I head to the 204 later this week. Looking for a nice buck.
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had a buddy in unit 1 Idaho hunting all last week and said almost 0 whitetail activity.
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Saw a young buck chasing a doe hard on Sunday in unit 124.
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One of the regular spike/barely fork bucks came in with the does last night only this time he had a swollen right front knee and a tine thrashed rump. Not feeling so cocky last night for sure. Guess he pinned his ears back when he should have ducked.
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Funny around here in 121. Mule deer seem to be very active, but not so much with the whitetails. Still seeing lots of does with no bucks around. Mulies on the other hand are chasing does all over the place.
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Last light tonight, stud buck (first time Ive seen this guy) shows @ 500+ yards knew he wasnt going to get to where I can shoot before it was too poor light conditions. He dilly dallied, had some grass, stopped for a few rose hips, meandered in our direction but didnt drop in at normal spot. He continued side hill into a blind draw. Usually the matures go in there and hang out until dark and thats what I expected but he blew up out the other side and went after a doe, she took off, he curled around and stood broadside at 384 lip curling. Does all around him but he ignored them as none appeared to smell right. So, light wasnt good enough for the shot at 384 (chip shot), so that was it. He will be back or one of the others will show soon enough. As it got darker and shooting hours passed, he had made it down into the top of my pasture which is over grown buck brush and very wild, he checked the does, and was at the mock scrape last I saw (250 yards). Wife is up first, but this particular buck wont get passed by me if I get the chance. Stud.
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Last light tonight, stud buck (first time Ive seen this guy) shows @ 500+ yards knew he wasnt going to get to where I can shoot before it was too poor light conditions. He dilly dallied, had some grass, stopped for a few rose hips, meandered in our direction but didnt drop in at normal spot. He continued side hill into a blind draw. Usually the matures go in there and hang out until dark and thats what I expected but he blew up out the other side and went after a doe, she took off, he curled around and stood broadside at 384 lip curling. Does all around him but he ignored them as none appeared to smell right. So, light wasnt good enough for the shot at 384 (chip shot), so that was it. He will be back or one of the others will show soon enough. As it got darker and shooting hours passed, he had made it down into the top of my pasture which is over grown buck brush and very wild, he checked the does, and was at the mock scrape last I saw (250 yards). Wife is up first, but this particular buck wont get passed by me if I get the chance. Stud.
so your saying we’re real close to full swing like this weekend into next week?
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My daughter and I hunted sorta hard Saturday in Unit 5 and saw three does, coulda smoked one but wanted her to get her first deer. We set up and rattled/grunted a few sweet spots and had no takers. I'm betting this next weekend is a little more prime. Saw a nice buck along ID95 on my way to work this morning just after first light with nose down seeking. Just takes the first doe to get hot and things are going to come together!
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Should be an uptick in activity everyday now with it peaking well after mid month.
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Should be an uptick in activity everyday now with it peaking well after mid month.
do they park for more than a couple days?
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Peak
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Never seen what Id call a peak day, more like a week and it can vary from one area to another by a week, so very hard to pin it down. Best bet is to be there to observe. It can drag out a while also, have seen them breed dec 2 and 3rd here.
I watch everyday (for deer) and dont miss many after the season as I watch for yotes.
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Id say anywhere nov 14th to 28th is party time, but theres always action earlier and later. Hell on dec 9th i watched mid day one big 5x5 and another BIG 5x5 chase a doe over a bare hill in the wide open. The big big one was leading the chase, the other buck was following at a respectful distance :chuckle:
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thanksgiving week has always been kind to us regardless of where we are hunting, local, out of state and out of country. seems to always be the best for us
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Ya for me its just now time to focus, glass well beyond the does looking for the solo animal. Sometimes they step into your arena, often times they dont. Its a game of patience.
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absolutely. right place right time. just a patience game. i sat in stand for 70 hours before i killed my buck in alberta last year. had 34 buck encounters over that time frame. a few borderline shooters but was after something specific. paid off. be patient!
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absolutely. right place right time. just a patience game. i sat in stand for 70 hours before i killed my buck in alberta last year. had 34 buck encounters over that time frame. a few borderline shooters but was after something specific. paid off. be patient!
Somewhere around 500 hours (over two years) for my last buck. Lotta being cold and losing hope involved. But an excess of persistence can pay off and overcome a lack of talent :chuckle:
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you have no idea how many hours ive spent in stand over the years :chuckle: :chuckle:i love it though. just never know what might...MIGHT...pop in
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I know hes going to show up any day now.....
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Today I hiked in to hunt this evening for the buck I am after. I walked a logging road 2 mi in with 5" of snow and not a single deer track.
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Today I hiked in to hunt this evening for the buck I am after. I walked a logging road 2 mi in with 5" of snow and not a single deer track.
Sounds like an area in 117 this Sunday morning but with just a dusting. Absolutely dead in there.
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I know hes going to show up any day now.....
aint that the truth!! but if he does....
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Today I hiked in to hunt this evening for the buck I am after. I walked a logging road 2 mi in with 5" of snow and not a single deer track.
Sounds like an area in 117 this Sunday morning but with just a dusting. Absolutely dead in there.
got a few buddys with cams in 124 and 117 and both said nothing showing on cams. I had 1 cam up with falfa ,corn and sweetmix since friday and 2 little bucks just showed up last night. Been very odd. Got a couple bucks at the house and they have very little interest in the does
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theres a peak in every area. Being able to watch deer right out my window you will see a 2-4 day window every year where the bucks are going nuts then you see a noticeable drop off in activity . Pretty much every year its Nov 17-23 in that area
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theres a peak in every area. Being able to watch deer right out my window you will see a 2-4 day window every year where the bucks are going nuts then you see a noticeable drop off in activity . Pretty much every year its Nov 17-23 in that area
would make sense Washington only gives guys a real good 3 day hunt
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absolutely. right place right time. just a patience game. i sat in stand for 70 hours before i killed my buck in alberta last year. had 34 buck encounters over that time frame. a few borderline shooters but was after something specific. paid off. be patient!
I ate 2 tags on my quest for last years buck spread over nearly 6 years. Lots of dark pics, very few sightings in daylight, only once or twice during season at exceedingly long range. Tooth submission says he was 9, so 9 1/2 at least.
Oh ya, the entire late season is a real good hunt provided youve done your homework. Id not miss a day of it by choice.
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Well cannot report on much rut activity now. Shot the 2nd buck I saw today in daylight.
Both bucks I saw today were loners. No does with them.
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nothing has changed today. Same 7-10 does out and 0 bucks around. Bucks all at night and eating
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Idaho unit 8: Was out half the day Saturday most of the deer were bedded during the snow storm. After it passed I saw around 20-30 does and multiple bucks. Saw a couple bucks making rubs and one 3 year old following a doe around not really chasing but he wouldn't take his eyes off of her.
WA 124: Scouted Monday for late archery, saw two small bucks sparing at daylight. Watched 6 does all morning with no bucks around them. I did see a 3 year old chasing a doe briefly right before dark. I had one mature buck pass through a camera looked to be following a doe that was in the picture before. Other than that minimal mature deer movement.
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The big bucks are movin now ;)
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old regressed warrior :chuckle:
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Listen to huntnnw
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Shooter buck there, Bango. I bet the earth shakes under his hooves. :chuckle:
Awesome reports. Thanks all! I took the dog for a walk in Unit 139 last night. Saw two different large 5x5 whitetail bucks actively cruising, and chasing does they encountered. I saw no small bucks...
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19 slicks and 3 dinks last night, all seemed agitated and jumpy.
Wife just showed me we have taken 3 bucks here on nov 12th......2012, 2014, and 2016
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Bango definitely a picture from last year, because I shot him I'm really stoked to get him back from the taxidermist not a boomer, but a solid 174.
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Had a muley of equal size under 20 yards just a couple hours earlier. Dont know how i keep passing these monsters.
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Things picked up last night. Resident bucks didn’t show and a brand new buck showed looking. Usually when I lose the residents they are out cruising around.
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We’re close to full swing it looks like the last weekend/week is gonna be what we dream of
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Saw a pretty good buck locked down with a doe yesterday evening.
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Heard some scrapping behind my house while laying in bed last night. This guy was chasing a doe this morning. Bad pic; screen shot from the video
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201112/e943dad9cf5e971f116842eb60048637.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Here's one of the bucks I saw yesterday evening. Taken from hundreds of yards, pardon the low quality. He was sniffing (flehmen/lip-curl to expose vomeronasal organs- definitely testing the pheromones) and chasing does around. :)
Second pic is a slightly more junior buck a half mile away, also chasing. Again, sorry for low quality pics.
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Here's one of the bucks I saw yesterday evening. Taken from hundreds of yards, pardon the low quality. He was sniffing (flehmen/lip-curl to expose vomeronasal organs- definitely testing the pheromones) and chasing does around. :)
Second pic is a slightly more junior buck a half mile away, also chasing. Again, sorry for low quality pics.
Jeez Mark, wish I had the Palouse tag this year. That first buck is good 'un!
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Thanks, Eric, I sure was excited to see him. The bucks like this guy are starting to venture out from their dense thickets of hawthorn and pine! It's exciting to watch, even though I'm all done for the year.
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Out in 133 all day yesterday, saw a few smaller bucks cruising, nothing chasing or locked down but its going to hit hard soon!
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Last 2 mornings have been hampered by fog and its looking a lot like I may loose some evening sits to fog as well. Sure hope not.
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19 slicks and 3 dinks last night, all seemed agitated and jumpy.
Wife just showed me we have taken 3 bucks here on nov 12th......2012, 2014, and 2016
Make that 4 bucks and add 2020. Had one of our target bucks where we wanted him at 415 tonight, but due to the high level of activity with other deer in the way and jumping around like elementary school at recess, wife had to pass off to me as she wasnt certain she was going to be able to get it done, very glad she opted out and I was OK with tagging this one. Good solid meat buck.
Private land, buck was there to scent check the girls for sure. Before he got there, the dinks (5) tonight were aggressive with each other and the does. Few more days and it will be full blown.
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19 slicks and 3 dinks last night, all seemed agitated and jumpy.
Wife just showed me we have taken 3 bucks here on nov 12th......2012, 2014, and 2016
Make that 4 bucks and add 2020. Had one of our target bucks where we wanted him at 415 tonight, but due to the high level of activity with other deer in the way and jumping around like elementary school at recess, wife had to pass off to me as she wasnt certain she was going to be able to get it done, very glad she opted out and I was OK with tagging this one. Good solid meat buck.
let’s see a picture!
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Nice buck congrats!
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Wow, buckfvr! Awesome buck!!!
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Wife got one cruising by
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Great buck ! Cruisers are the ones we look for.
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Good looking bucks! Congrats.... I'm headed to Idaho this weekend cant wait. Good luck to everyone
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Good looking bucks! Congrats.... I'm headed to Idaho this weekend cant wait. Good luck to everyone
I took today off, back at it in unit 1 tomorrow morning. Hope i can break this streak of dink bucks and find a shooter tomorrow. Lots of snow coming soon to chase me out of the mountains. Need to get it done. With the impending weather ill take a decent whitetail or muley, either one is fine.
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Headed out To 121 on Sunday and have the week off. I hope I don’t get fogged out all day every day as I did last year!
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Headed out To 121 on Sunday and have the week off. I hope I don’t get fogged out all day every day as I did last year!
Pretty standard to have heavy fog this time of year. Ruins a lot of hunting for a lot of people. Unfortunate, but its what it is.
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Hey Bango best of luck to ya. I'm headed to 11 on Sunday or Monday depending on weather. Hope to hit the rut sweet spot. Let us know how it goes...
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Hey Bango best of luck to ya. I'm headed to 11 on Sunday or Monday depending on weather. Hope to hit the rut sweet spot. Let us know how it goes...
Im just lookin for something bigger than buckfvr's buck. The beast he got last year made my buck look like a dink. Cant let him top me again or ill never hear the end of it.
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I'm looking for my biggest whitetail ever! Since my only whitetail so far is a spike, I'm not aiming to high! Haha
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I'm looking for my biggest whitetail ever! Since my only whitetail so far is a spike, I'm not aiming to high! Haha
gotta let the small ones pass in order to get the big ones
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:yeah: when I shot that whitetail it was 30 years ago I've let A LOT passs since then. Ill only shoot if everything is perfect if not I let them walk. I've shot enough deer that I'm looking for something special. Depends on quite a few things. Who I'm with, time of year , am I trying to feed my family. This year its dinks walk studs fall. Even if I fail to get a deer I'm happy to get out. Since I've gotten older its more about the situation then the kill... best of luck to all
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Last night at 7:30 a buck I have on cam half mile away all summer and fall just showed up lip curling and chasing a doe, first mature buck that’s showed. He’s over 6 yrs old
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Last night at 7:30 a buck I have on cam half mile away all summer and fall just showed up lip curling and chasing a doe, first mature buck that’s showed. He’s over 6 yrs old
wahoo looks like it took vacation at the right time!
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Thanks for the update Huntn, just about to head out the door. Very encouraging to hear bigger bucks are starting to move! Best of luck out there everyone :tup:
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Tonight, more of the same, lots of slicks, 4 dinks testing themselves against each other and the occasional chase the doe thing but no matures tonight. Did enjoy my sit as a large coyote bounded across the hill and stopped and *censored* around long enough for me to get set up, shot him for 500 yards, instant death, I will retrieve him in the morning. Thought no way in heck I would get him as I was just watching deer, wife took the night off so didnt even have the rifle out of the case. He gave me time to get set up and dial, so it was a good night for me.
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Lots of mature bucks killed today in ID panhandle. Bucks are moving now.
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In 113 today saw several 3’s and 4’s chasing, wife passed on all....
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Kids shot a couple of nice bucks today- both chasing after a doe. Looks like maybe they're getting it on.
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Buddies buck we picked up this afternoon. Swollen neck hangin with a doe
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Rattled in a 4x4 to 40 yards just before dark. I was calling for a friend, who didn't see the buck come in (terrain blocked his view, not mine). At any rate, rattling is starting to work!
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Buddies buck we picked up this afternoon. Swollen neck hangin with a doe
First lite gets them every time
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Hunted all day, rattled and grunted and no takers. High winds may have doused our chances, I’m thinking any deer within a hundred yards winded us due to shifty high winds in our area. Or maybe we just suck at whitetail hunting! ;) We hunted on a field for evening and my brother filled his tag with a fat doe, his first deer in 3 years.
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Shifting winds will mess up any hunt. Glad your brother was able to put good meat in the freezer!!!
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Friend killed a very nice buck in 10A today. Made me drool looking at the picture!
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Moved to a new spot in unit 1 today. Way more deer sign here. Hopes up for tomorrow. Saw my first bit of (whitetail) rut action today. Watching a dink buck for a bit, a doe comes down the hill. Hes mildly interested. She started little runs trying to get him to chase. Stopping to pee for him, all that. He was sniffing and lip curling and followed her into the dark timber. He made a rub and a scrape, and the scrape was directly on top of my backtrail, wiped out one or two of my boot prints. Also saw a damn moose all rutty today this late still. Long story short he got in my face all aggressive and hounded me for a few hundred yards as i looked for a tree to climb, thinking i was going to have to shoot him. He eventually let me go, but man, it was unreal. Couldnt believe he was acting like that. Almost crapped myself. Not fun. Had him as close as 15yrds at one point. Ive had them bark at me and flex, but nothing like this. This dude was serious.
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saw some more night time cruisers.
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saw a small 4 chasing a doe past me today. First time in weeks that not a single buck showed at my house last night
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My wife and I were out all day Saturday (14th) on the Palouse. Daytime deer movement was very limited. Saw a handful of does and no mature bucks during the day. A few spikes were out “cruising” and grunting. We found plenty of fresh buck sign so I know they were around. We chose a good draw to sit for the evening. About an hour before dark the does started moving out into the seeded fields to feed. We could see 3 different groups of does off in the distance and each one had a mature buck in tow. But not chasing or showing rut behavior just shadowing the the does and casually feeding. A few minutes later I heard a grunt from the brush below us. He grunted several times and was thrashing brush. When he finally showed himself he was showing running back and forth and showing some of the careless rut activity we all hope for. I think the wind may have been limiting deer movement a little, but I don’t think the days of bucks loosing their minds has hit where we were.
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this is the best few days if you are a rifle hunter. The 20th to 25th to me is the best .. imagine that :rolleyes:
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This guy was out and about. He’s past his prime these days. Guessing he’s 7 or so
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Should probably put him out of his misery.
Side note, talked to the Idaho fng the other day. Told him I’d be there the 18th thru end of month potentially. He said we should be hitting it at just the right time. Said bucks just starting to move and it will continue to ramp up the next week or two. I’m excited!
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That buck is 3rd or 4th on my list of bucks I’m hunting .
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I’ll be chasing them with the muzzy from the 25th-5th. I hunted the 21st - 2nd last year. Saw first big buck on the 25th. Killed my deer on Dec. 2nd. First time I had seen him hunting the same spot for 11 straight days...
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Bucks are starting to move. Saw two does crossing a ridge and a small buck followed the same path shortly. Should be good hunting the next few days for tag holders if the weather holds.
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Moved to a new spot in unit 1 today. Way more deer sign here. Hopes up for tomorrow. Saw my first bit of (whitetail) rut action today. Watching a dink buck for a bit, a doe comes down the hill. Hes mildly interested. She started little runs trying to get him to chase. Stopping to pee for him, all that. He was sniffing and lip curling and followed her into the dark timber. He made a rub and a scrape, and the scrape was directly on top of my backtrail, wiped out one or two of my boot prints. Also saw a damn moose all rutty today this late still. Long story short he got in my face all aggressive and hounded me for a few hundred yards as i looked for a tree to climb, thinking i was going to have to shoot him. He eventually let me go, but man, it was unreal. Couldnt believe he was acting like that. Almost crapped myself. Not fun. Had him as close as 15yrds at one point. Ive had them bark at me and flex, but nothing like this. This dude was serious.
Glad you're all right, Bango. Moose can be downright scary.
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Ole 1 eye is lucky I’m picky
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Crazy chasing tonight. Hard aggressive post rubbing, does flying around, 6 dinks zooming around getting out of the 2 8pts way, another branch buck up at 650yds running a doe couldnt see details, frantic fast paced show from 315 til dark.
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I think the rut really got going today. I saw several bucks cruising in the daylight and got multiple pictures throughout the day
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My buddy saw a stud 5 point standing in the middle of the highway today. Probably had a hot doe nearby and couldn't decide which way to go. Maybe a hot doe on each side of the road! Such a great problem to have, too many options! ;)
I was hoping to get some advice from some of you more seasoned whitetail hunters. I'm gonna hunt this saturday or sunday depending on the weather outlook. I'm hunting near timber but also have a 40 acre field of grass to hunt.
What would your typical day look like? Do you tend to still hunt through the morning then sit on a field in the evening? Sit the field morning and evening and still hunt bedding late morning thru early afternoon? Sit the field all day? The rut should be in full swing and I'm sure some bucks will be locked up but that's why I'm thinking push some cover if the field's empty at first light. Thanks in advance and good luck tagholders!
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Must be going to Idaho, Me ? Id go into the timber just far enough to be able to see in there and shoot while at the same time being able to watch and shoot the field. I would sit in one or two places for the entire day, being still, looking and listening. Take a grunt and a can, and pay attention to the wind when you set up. Id use a masking scent also.
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Ole 1 eye is lucky I’m picky
Yes on both accounts. Hes lucky, and youre picky. :tup:
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Must be going to Idaho, Me ? Id go into the timber just far enough to be able to see in there and shoot while at the same time being able to watch and shoot the field. I would sit in one or two places for the entire day, being still, looking and listening. Take a grunt and a can, and pay attention to the wind when you set up. Id use a masking scent also.
Same as Blacktail. Good luck!
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Must be going to Idaho, Me ? Id go into the timber just far enough to be able to see in there and shoot while at the same time being able to watch and shoot the field. I would sit in one or two places for the entire day, being still, looking and listening. Take a grunt and a can, and pay attention to the wind when you set up. Id use a masking scent also.
Thanks for the feedback, I think I stomp around the woods too much thinking “there’s a deer around the next corner I’m sure of it”. I’ll try your strategy this time around. And yes heading to Idaho to try to hang my expensive tag on a buck. Maybe a doe....
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Heading to Idaho tomorrow. Sounds like the rut is starting to happen. It should be a fun hunt!
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My buddy saw a stud 5 point standing in the middle of the highway today. Probably had a hot doe nearby and couldn't decide which way to go. Maybe a hot doe on each side of the road! Such a great problem to have, too many options! ;)
I was hoping to get some advice from some of you more seasoned whitetail hunters. I'm gonna hunt this saturday or sunday depending on the weather outlook. I'm hunting near timber but also have a 40 acre field of grass to hunt.
What would your typical day look like? Do you tend to still hunt through the morning then sit on a field in the evening? Sit the field morning and evening and still hunt bedding late morning thru early afternoon? Sit the field all day? The rut should be in full swing and I'm sure some bucks will be locked up but that's why I'm thinking push some cover if the field's empty at first light. Thanks in advance and good luck tagholders!
I have done super well using a grunt tube. Keep wind in your face or atleast blowing where you dont expect deer to be. Ill do a series of calls and wait 30-45 min. Ill then move 200 yards or more depending on cover if its open country Ill move further and repeat the process. Another is if you can find a area to see alot with cover sit all day and be patient. Look for pinches such as timber cuts and field corners bucks cruising will cut the corners or travel just inside the cover
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Huntnnw gives some excellent advice!
I would add that rattling also works with that call-wait-move routine. For example, on Saturday, I took a friend out for some rattling, starting about 130 pm (earliest I could get out; all day is better). We moved 200-300 yards between setups, spending 30-45 minutes at each, and about an hour 15 at the final set at dusk. It was the final set where we got a buck in at 40 yards. Don't worry too much about bumping deer in your moves, but I would still move at least partly in a still hunt mode, scanning and listening. Finding areas of open understory with intermittent brush or clusters of saplings is great, as you can see and shoot, but the deer feel secure enough to run in and check out your grunts, doe bleats, or rattles. But if you find a really great spot, like an intersection of heavily traveled trails with a great concealment spot, don't be afraid to sit for several hours.
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Started seeing some squirrely does and a small rutty buck in idaho lately and found a couple fresh scrapes and rubs. Heading back tomorrow. Took my fences down from around my aspens this summer, figured theyre big enough to handle some browsing now. Put these little trunk protectors on them thinking deer wouldnt want to rub them. Nope. Jerk buck shredded them off of 4 of my 6 aspens. Beginning to reconsider this "not use my wa tag" thing this year. >:(
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>:( Dang ungulates, impacting broadleaf tree regeneration. Whack and stack, Bango.
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Started seeing some squirrely does and a small rutty buck in idaho lately and found a couple fresh scrapes and rubs. Heading back tomorrow. Took my fences down from around my aspens this summer, figured theyre big enough to handle some browsing now. Put these little trunk protectors on them thinking deer wouldnt want to rub them. Nope. Jerk buck shredded them off of 4 of my 6 aspens. Beginning to reconsider this "not use my wa tag" thing this year. >:(
Hostile moose and punk little buck! You must be throwing off some sketch pheromones. ;). What is the story on not using the WA tag?
Either way these deer (and some moose apparently) are ready to rock n roll, best of luck this coming weekend and thanks for the advice everyone!
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Wife almost got it done yesterday on a nice 4pt .It just wasn't gonna stand there a second longer even with a Doe there. :bash:
Would've been 3 for 3 on our tags.
I feel a little bad for her but sometimes it just doesn't work out even with the rut.
Getting them on game cam - to the back of the truck is easier said then done.
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Wife almost got it done yesterday on a nice 4pt .It just wasn't gonna stand there a second longer even with a Doe there. :bash:
Would've been 3 for 3 on our tags.
I feel a little bad for her but sometimes it just doesn't work out even with the rut.
Getting them on game cam - to the back of the truck is easier said then done.
Very true statement! Nice buck though and maybe he’ll be around and bigger next year!
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Got home last night from Montana and Idaho. Eastern Montana WT bucks were near does, but I saw only one evening of real chase activity, seemed like the does weren't quite there yet, but it was my first experience in that area so I could be way off.
N. Idaho found some rubs and a small scrape. Lots of does still with fawns close. Killed a young buck in perfect shape covered in fat and glands not stinky at all.
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I will check cam in a few days ,let you all know if he made it through rifle season not sure if he did or not. :dunno:
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Rut at its peak now around me. Very few bucks on cam and lots yearlings without mom around.
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Rut at its peak now around me. Very few bucks on cam and lots yearlings without mom around.
Exactly
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Rut at its peak now around me. Very few bucks on cam and lots yearlings without mom around.
Exactly
I am hoping the same is true in Western Montana. Headed out after work and there for a week if needed.
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The biggest bucks I have ever seen are the tail end of the rut. The 1-3 yr olds start feeding again and the mature ones are still looking . Nov 24-30th is the dates I have seen the biggest bucks of my life. It’s not the best time let’s say for overall buck activity.
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Watched a monster breed on dec 3rd and saw two other huge studs with does dec 2nd, not all same year though.
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any experience with how the rut "normally" lines up as far as western montana and NE wa? Around the same time? My experience is Montana is slightly later but I don't have complete confidence in that.
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What I hear from the few guys I know who either live in and or hunt the Panhandle and nw mont., is that interpretation is as varied as here. One guys idea is most times different than the next guys.
With rut activity and intensity having a lot to do with buck to doe ratio in any given area, and age class structure of bucks in the area, I think that is why observations tend to vary so much from one area to another that may not even be very far away.
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I’ve watched over the years that high mountain bucks and units way up north versus units near Spokane seem to be a full week earlier
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This guy is all rutted up. Walked by me at 30 yards while feeding goats
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Spent the last four days in 121 and didn’t see any rut activity. Plenty of does still with yearlings feeding. Zero rubs nor scrapes all in areas I usually see them this time of year.
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Buck/NW, Swollen necks still or rutted out in appearance?
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Not a whole lot of activity in my area yet. Wife killed her first deer on the 15th, little 3x3, really fat young buck. I have a couple of big boys on camera, but still mostly night time and I have seen none of the does on camera being chased. I think it is about to ramp up. I'm off until the 30th. :)
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Spent the last four days in 121 and didn’t see any rut activity. Plenty of does still with yearlings feeding. Zero rubs nor scrapes all in areas I usually see them this time of year.
Same observations as you. We also hunted 121 the last 4 days.
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I agree with others in regards to unit 121 with slight pre-rut action. It will ramp up soon enough once the does come into estrous and are more receptive. Usually see the big boys show up around the 28th of November till December 5th every year like clock work. I live in this unit and haven't seen much other than a new younger buck starting to feel his loins. Yearlings are still with does. No new night cruisers on the cams, which I usually have by now. Rut will be here soon enough and should be perfect timing for archery hunters.
For what its worth I'm at approximately 2000ft in elevation.
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Couple of the dinks chasing hard but no cooperation from does, havent seen the older bucks but also havent checked the cams. Am seeing yearlings by their lonesome though. I do believe most of the activity is happening under the cloak of darkness. Neighbors seeing same as me, elevation range is from 2k to 3k and a handfull of us always watching, even post season.
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Anyone seeing much going on still in Idaho?
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Anyone seeing much going on still in Idaho?
I had a doe pull a mature 4 point right past me yesterday, ended up seeing a total of 3 older bucks within 2 hrs, all trailing hard, oblivious to the outside world.
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We are heading back to Idaho this weekend to try and fill a couple more tags. Hopefully they are still chasing.
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Good deal glad to hear they are still going over there,this thread thread slowed down so wanted to bring it back up.
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I took a buddy of mine over to Idaho (unit 6) for two days over the weekend. We got into does and spikes pretty regularly, but the bucks were not taking the rattling bait like I had hoped.
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I hunted Unit 5 Idaho yesterday afternoon/evening hunt with my daughter. We didn't get any action rattling/grunting near bedding areas. We set up a decoy in the field for the last 2 hours of light and had a couple does come in. I shot the biggest doe. About 5-10 minutes after that a smaller 3 point chased a doe at the corner of the field, no shot opportunity for my daughter. Long story short, seems like the more mature bucks might still be just about to start cruising more so I'm thinking next weekend should be good (or mid week if you can do it). On to late WA archery my favorite time to be in the stand. I've always been able to rattle in larger bucks during the late bow season, November 25th-30th.
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I’m in 8A right now. No responses to rattling/calling for me. Found a fresh scrape in the snow yesterday but no fresh tracks today. One lonesome doe wandered in to me within 10 feet, head bobbed for a couple minutes then continued on.
Deep snow with a layer of the crunchy stuff makes for a rough go. 4-6 inches of new today. I’m not seeing much in rutting activity and I’ll assume my last day tomorrow will be no different :dunno:
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2 days ago finally had a big one roll through in unit 1. He was a man on a mission. In and out of my life in seconds. Couldnt turn him around, no shot opportunity. Here in wa on the drive home that night had a good 5x5 cross flowery trail in front if ne, and a couple good bucks on marble vslley basin. One was doing the flehmwn thing, about to jump on a doe by the looks of it. Its go time right now.
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My Idaho season ended today and without seeing much. 1530 “called in” a spike to 10 yards but that was the only deer that seemed to react to my rattling/grunting. Didn’t see any running around no matter the time of day. Good luck to the rest!
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Rut still going strong around me. Almost 0 shooter bucks at any of my cams. Lots of scrapes.
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Rut still going strong around me. Almost 0 shooter bucks at any of my cams. Lots of scrapes.
Heading out this morning for opener late bow season! If those bucks aren’t at your place they must be hanging near my tree stand ;)
Bringing rattle horns, grunt tube, and high hopes! Thanks for all the reports so far.
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Up to 8 different bucks at 2 cams 1.5 miles apart all are 1-3 yr olds and all looking for does still. Sat in stand last night and did a series of tending grunts and a buck came in looking 5 min later.
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Late season opener was slow, probably due to the wind and the rut phase. I think a lot of the deer were laying low most of the day. Weather looks better coming up. Good luck out there
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Called another young buck to stand this am.
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pulled 2 cards couple days ago and there was very few random chase pics but by far the majority of chasing was in the dark. Have not seen a single dominant mature buck, just 2 and 3 yr olds doing the most of the night time chasing. Couple 8s a 9 and a 10 pretty regular with a half dozen or more spike/forks doing most of the day time pestering. Still seeing solo yearlings.
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From your guys input and my hunt yesterday I’m gonna guess the mature bucks in our region are locked down with the first wave of hot does. So theoretically they should be back cruising in a couple days.
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Still active rut, but definitely on the back side of it. However, some of the bucks will start showing on the bait piles within a few days.
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Lotta activity , but bucks are starting to feed.
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:tup: Great pics !
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we came out of unit 1yesterday and didnt see but one basket 4 in 7 days. for such great looking country, sure was a lack of sign and/or animals! headed back to unit 3 for a few days in the morning. hoping to get one of the late cruisers, or any action for that matter!
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we came out of unit 1yesterday and didnt see but one basket 4 in 7 days. for such great looking country, sure was a lack of sign and/or animals! headed back to unit 3 for a few days in the morning. hoping to get one of the late cruisers, or any action for that matter!
Sounds similar to my experience hunting unit 1
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Walking along and Seen a buck ahead walking same direction we was heading, gave a couple grunts and had him coming in at 80 yards, some more grunting and here comes another buck from another direction. We watched these bucks grunting and snort wheezing and then full on battle! Fought for 2-3 minutes, got to record some of it, then when it was done I stopped the bigger one with a grunt, then gave a series of grunts and brought him within 30 yards of us. He stared in our direction for what seemed like an hour, I kept waiting for my buddies bow to go off...... in a almost open area... he had a couple lodge pole pines in his way and couldn’t see the buck....
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Spoke to a biologist here in the Panhandle a couple of days ago. Says deer numbers are WAY down, fewest scraps he has seen in 40 years. I have three cameras out and have virtually no daytime activity on any of them. Did see a buck chasing a doe for about 2 minutes the other day, but it was half hearted and she was not interested. They were about 500 yards out and in low light, so I did not chance a shot. Been pretty slow year for me. Passed on three little bucks and a couple of does.
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Hunted 127 today and had mule deer hanging out more than whitetail. Had a dink whitetail come in chasing a doe at last light. More sits are in my future. My buddy killed a sweet older buck this morning trailing a hot doe.
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Saw 1 small buck tonight with nose to ground . And elk and it figures I bought a muzzy elk tag this year.
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Forky with browtines is in my back yard right now grunting up a storm and messing with the does. Focused on one doe in particular
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Decent 9pt on the falfa but checking each doe as they arrive, he was present at 230pm when I first checked, one other spike, but the 9 was eating and pretty mellow. Lots of does.
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Lasso him and tie him to a tree, ill cone stick an arrow in him and hang him in your shop. You can cut him up and throw him in the pressure cooker for me if you like.
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Forky with browtines is in my back yard right now grunting up a storm and messing with the does. Focused on one doe in particular
Ya, mommy.
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A bit late, but had a decent buck scent checking a bedding area in my neighbor's back yard on Wednesday (11/25), around 3pm.
Was actually practicing with a new saddle setup, and had messed around w/ my grunt tube. Then just after I let my bow down to the ground, my daughter was yellin' at me from the deck, and starts pointing to this buck coming in!
Now if I could only replicate that on some huntable property...
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A bit late, but had a decent buck scent checking a bedding area in my neighbor's back yard on Wednesday (11/25), around 3pm.
Was actually practicing with a new saddle setup, and had messed around w/ my grunt tube. Then just after I let my bow down to the ground, my daughter was yellin' at me from the deck, and starts pointing to this buck coming in!
Now if I could only replicate that on some huntable property...
Yep, seems like the decent cruisers around here started about 2 weeks ago. I have multiple pictures and videos
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Had this buck come in with a doe over feed, late yesterday. I drew back, he spooked. I grunted and he came back around to 30 yards. Let one fly and smoke the boiler room. Couldn’t help myself! ;)
Good luck tag holders.
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For late muzzleloader here in Unit 139, I put a friend of mine on a good field that always holds deer. Yesterday (11/28), a buck was grunting, rubbing, and chasing does in the brushy draw below him for about 30 minutes before walking up into the field. He presented a shot at 20 yards, and my friend put the buck down. Nice 5x4!
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For late muzzleloader here in Unit 139, I put a friend of mine on a good field that always holds deer. Yesterday (11/28), a buck was grunting, rubbing, and chasing does in the brushy draw below him for about 30 minutes before walking up into the field. He presented a shot at 20 yards, and my friend put the buck down. Nice 5x4!
Sounds like a great rut hunt, way to put your friend on the deer!
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I probably saw 20 different bucks rutting today. One was just about good enough.
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Not a lot of cruising bucks (except spikes and forks) over the weekend on the Palouse. Saw one nice mature buck that was sticking close to a doe who must have been in heat, but I couldn't seal the deal. Called in an average 3x3 with a couple doe bleats followed by a few grunts. He came right in on a string and I couldn't resist. Definitely still some rut activity going on out there.
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Bucks are really starting to move again in the NE. Appear to be coming out of lockdown and cruising.
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Bucks cruising around my neighborhood the last few days pretty good
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Filled our last two tags in Idaho yesterday morning. Decent little basket 4 and 1x2 feeding together. Found a couple fresh scrapes but no sign of much chasing. Neither of the bucks my group got showed any sign of rutting and where more focused on calories.
We tried several rattling sets over the weekend and nothing came in. Saw several groups of doe's that had no bucks with them.
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Haven’t seen much rutting activity except 1 buck seems to be going strong. Brand new giant scrape yesterday and seems to be cruising around. He was number 2 on my list this year.
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Nice old stud buck has run himself skinny. Better change modes and start eating.
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Doesn’t look as skinny here
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Ya difference is night and day, must be angle.