Rut Tracker

[EodBuddyLee]

Figured I would start a thread to track the rut for all of us. This could help us zero in on the prime time of the rut for those of us who cant get out there on a daily or weekly basis.

I went out Sat morning to see what kind of Buck activity is going on this year so far. I typically leave the woods alone after the season begins, just to and from the stands, but figured I would just poke around a little to see whats happening. All I got so far is the Bucks are tearing up the trees with rubs. I got rub lines going in every direction, to include the traditional sign post rubs they hit every year.

What are you guys seeing out there?

Cheers

 

[SpurHunter]

We have basicaly ALL bedding area on our pace, so very little to speak of. I saw one buck in a filed by itself at dusk, so I cant be much help. We hunt near Manchester.

 

[EodBuddyLee]

Bedding areas are prime time, as long as you can slip in there without spooking them.

Since it was youth weekend, I sat on the edge of the field for a couple hours and saw a little 6 point and a couple doe's right at dusk too.

Cheers

 

[bigkuntry1282]

we are finding alot of rubs up on cagle mountain. plus a few scrapes. they are starting to move around some more. but hoping they start getting real active for gun season.

 

[Liveliner]

This same time last year, Bucks were chasing red hot does the first week of Black powder. I saw Nine Doe being chased by Thirteen different Bucksover a five day period. From what i am seeing, I expect the rut to be on any day now.

 

[churly]

I've been hearing about alot of sign being made over the past couple of days. This cold weather will kick in the cruising searching stage and I expect the breeding to get going right about the third week of Nov. But hey, this is TN so the bucks might be grouped up in my yard and chasing behind the neighbors. I know of two good bucks killed this weekend in Southern KY and they are cruising hard there.

 

[grayson_garrett]

Still grouped up in N. Ga! But they were very active this weekend, saw some small bucks and good number of does! Can't wait till it gets full swing!

 

[EodBuddyLee]

I was able to get out this afternoon to the woods. I got there a little late around 4:45 and had 6 doe's in the field already. I was able to slip around them without spooking them. They feed for a little while and moved on. Right at the last 20 minutes of light, I had a little 4 point come out at the far end of the field. About the same time I had 3 doe's and a good looking young 7 point pop out behind me about 40 yards.

Im posting this cause I think we may be on the leading edge of the rut, the 7 point wasn't chasing the doe's but he was checking them. The doe's were real skiddish around him and wouldnt let him get to close. If the weather drops into the 30s like they say by the end of the week, this weekend should be interesting.

Im in south Hamilton County

Cheers

 

[hank]

was in the battlefield this morning saw a 130 class 10 point chasing a doe hard i go in there to try to judge when the rut is on in n. ga i know there not all in but it is starting around here in catoosa .co

 

[EodBuddyLee]

I'd say this is just about the right time frame to get the rut hunting started then. I like the pre rut a lot when there are only a few hot doe's and ALL the bucks want a piece. When the majority of does are hot then its harder to get a buck to respond to sent and calls.

 

[U-Tail]

was hunting in birchwood last weekend saw an uncountable number of does running out of a thicket, later a 4 point came out and he was chasing all around the field.

 

[fish4thepeck]

This is my 45th year to deer hunt Marion County. I don't believe I have ever seen a defined rut yet. If I had to pick a time which I thinks best it would be around Christmas. There will be a lot of does bred by then but the ratio evens out and the bigger bucks have to work a little harder which means they are on their feet more.

 

[EodBuddyLee]

Well thats encouraging cause Ive been day dreaming at work thinking that Im going to miss the rut. But if the rut will stretch out through Dec then Ill have a good amount of time to try and zero in on another good Buck I saw in the early season, he's a 10 point main frame with 2 kickers. I havent seen him in 4 weeks and I know these hot doe's are going to get him to show his face again.

 

[frazier2209]

Report from evening of 11/2
Light ESE wind.
Temp of 60*

Walking in I found 4 scrapes that were new since I was in there Friday. Added some Buck P to my boots and freshened all scrapes with it as well. Checked 2 cams on the way in with good results. Pics of all of my big boys, but only 2 daytime photos.

About 6 I have a small 8pt approach from upwind. 2.5 y/o deer. (free pass) He sniffed around where I had walked some, then lightly hit a few trees and freshened up a scrape that had been inactive since friday...interesting. As he eased back into the thicket I hit a little bit on my can call and a couple mouth grunts just to see what would happen. He turned around and approached with some interest trying to circle downwind of me.
I finally let him go before he got downwind and smelled me.

Things are starting to pickup.

I predict ALOT of deer will be killed Saturday, with the even bigger deer coming after 10AM for those willing to stick it out.

 

[churly]

25 degrees on the plateau! I'll be posted high on a ridge well before sunrise Saturday morning. I expect a huge harvest figure for this weekend!

 

[brushhog]

was making some improvements on my stand today,i'm on private land so no pressure on deer,seen a couple does and 2 small bucks,they weren't interested in the does,,the bucks came out of some thick pines by a creek bed where my stand is to see what all the hammering on some new boards was..lol

 

[SpurHunter]

Sean was in Bedford hunting our lease and almost got run over by a bix six, or small 8, not sure, chasing a doe very hard.

I scouted a new place in Bradley county, jumped a small buck at noon all by himself. Also saw 5 does feeding. Hunted it tonight, jumped the same buck a few hundred yards away, no does with him. Saw three does at dusk feeding, no chasers....

 

[EodBuddyLee]

Yesterday, all I saw were Does, not complaining by no means. Took one around 5 pm and kept waiting for a buck to show up, never saw anything with antlers. I did check my area on the way in and saw multiple new scrapes and had a couple pics of young bucks on the trail cam at 930pm and 315am over the last week.

 

[Liveliner]

Not yet on Cagle Mtn. Getting real close I had a big shooter 20 yards from my stand today and a big Doe was trailing the Buck. I was watching the Doe coming in and did not see the Buck under my stand until too late, Looked like a tall tine Eight Pntr.

 

[EodBuddyLee]

Looks like the begining might just be starting in south Hamilton. With the time change we lost an hour of daylight in the evening so I only had 2 hrs to hunt. Got out about 4pm and a young 6 point was already in the field chasing a Doe of over the place like it was his first time. He ran her off and followed into th woods, never saw them again. Had some more Doe's come and right at last light had 2 other small bucks walk out and start knockin' antlers and pushing each other around.

Should start seeing some good activity soon.

Cheers

emoToast