The rut...

[churly]

I think there is alot of actual tending taking place where I hunt on the highland rim of the plateau ( Putnam, Smith, Dekalb Co.). I noticed that there was a lot of rubs and scrapes made 3 weeks ago. Most of that sign looks like it hasn't been touched in a week or so, I think its because some does are in heat. Instead of wandering around looking for does making sign, the bucks are either pursuing or laid up with a doe in a thicket. You have to find where the does are. The area where I took my buck this weekend has the least amount of buck sign of any area on my property but the does are there. Its a fairly thick area that the deer usually head to when the leaves fall. I think there will be does coming into season for the next couple weeks, but everywhere is different in TN.

My point is, dont get frustrated like I did. If you aren't seeing bucks chasing you need to go find the hot does. There were at least 3 bucks and a dozen does running around in that particular holler and if I had never gone in there, I would be telling how little rut action I saw this weekend. Like I said don't get frustrated, be patient, and take advantage of your opportunities. When these deer are rutted up like they are you can get aggressive if you have to.

I made a commitment not to shoot little deer several years ago. Last year was my first buckless year, and I was starting to get frustrated that I wasn't getting any shots on any mature deer. I'm glad I didn't lower my standards and stayed patient. If you aren't already, I would suggest letting the young one's walk. If you need meat or just wanna watch one die-shoot a big doe, we have too many.I would rather take a mature deer once every three years, then take three bucks every season. Our area has some great potential and if we all work at it we can drastically improve the age structure and the health of our local deer heards. We have been managing our land for quality for 4 years now and we are starting to see some satisfying results!

 

[mshipman]

I agree totally. I let allot of deer walk last year and wound up deerless for the whole year. It's turned around this year. I've let several deer walk but have already killed a 3 1/2 year old seven point and a 4 1/2 year old doe. Well worth the wait.

 

[fish4thepeck]

I may be way off base here but this is my theory on the rut in in Tennessee at least in my area. I have been hunting for several years and haven't seen a defined rut in years. I have seen bucks chasing as early as October and as late as February. The buck/doe Ratio is no where close as it should be. There is so many does in my area that finding a receptive doe is not a problem. Most of the bigger Bucks killed in my area are killed around Christmas and into January. I believe this is due to the fact that there is a lot less does receptive then and the competition factor comes into play. If a doe doesn't get breed she comes back in heat until she gets breed. Back in the 70's when our deer population was a lot less than now you wouldn't believe the buck sign that was laid down. Back in the 70's the buck/doe ratio was a lot more even. I agree with Churly that shooting does is necessary to maintain a quality herd and it will also help close the gap on the buck/doe ratio. I don't believe Tennessee or Alabama will ever be a so called Trophy state such as Illinois or other northern states simply because our deer are of a different species. I do believe we can improve our herd by practicing sound management. I know killing trophy's should not be the guidelines to managing our deer, I for one love to see the young hunters take a deer regardless if it's a spike or doe. The problem I have is the number of deer I here people boasting about killing to me it's not about numbers but preserving our resources for Generations to come.

 

[BadBass]

The rut can be very different in different areas. Here in north alabama smaller immature bucks will begin chasing in October. They are primarily just harassing them. Unfornately, alot of young bucks get shot aournd the opening weekend due to this fact. The mature bucks usually begin chasing approximately 14 days after the full moon in November and begin tending aroudn christmas. Dominent bucks usually begin responding to calls about the second week in december. With the cool weather and an early moon in November, i believe the mature bucks will get up and get going earlier.

Big deer in Tennessee and Alabama need one primary ingredient to have trophy racks TIME. Everyone should check out the QDMA guide to field aging of deer. I would say that 90 percent of deer hunters have never seen a mature buck in the woods. Once you see one you will never foget it. Taking does is important in controlling ratios, we have 1200 acres with 6 hunters. I ended up killing 12 does personally with the 42 for all members last year. We have biologist come out and give us a recommendation on the number of does to remove per year. It can be very tough to hold up on the trigger finger, but DEAD DEER DON"T GROW! Like Churly said PATIENCE. Older and mature hunters should be like mature deer. Most bucks in our area are killed between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years of age. Last year i passed up a 130 to 140 class that i guessed it to be 2 1/2 years of age. I have had buckless years and it is worth it. Attached is a documented 4 1/2 year old from last year. I havent got a pic of him this year. Hope I'll have one about the middle of Dec. with me holding the rack.

I believe that Tennessee and Alabama have the ability to produce trophy deer similar to some of our northern friends. Our genetics in several areas are the the same as the northern deer. I know when the State of Alabama brought deer into the north part of the state in the 1970's alot of the deer came from Michigan and Wisconsin. With a revitalization of agriculture, particularly corn, the food sources will improve. Two other differences i see is hunting pressure (number of hunters and number of days hunted) and i hate to say this Tags. With the experiments Alabama is doing in Barbour county and the new rules for bucks, I would say they are making steps to go to tags. I know that Georgia and now Alabama have the self reporting pieces of paper at this point, but they likely dont get followed properly. The naughty word of buck tags would further this cause because meat packers would not be able to recieve deer without the tag. Hunting pressure causes a lot of the mature deer in our area to be nocturnal. With the thick areas here, a big buck will lay there and watch you go by and slide away when your gone. The mature bucks are really only accessible during the rut.

 

[fish4thepeck]

I agree with some of your post. The problem we have is getting everyone to to manage their land. A lot of people's thinking is why should I let deer walk when my neighbor is going to shoot them. Personally I think the only solution is
to reduce the number of bucks a person can take. As far as Tennessee or Alabama even coming close to say an Illinois or Iowa it ain't going to happen. It's not uncommon for a 2/12 year old up there to score 130 or even 140. I do commend you for letting a 140 class deer walk around here theres not many people who can say that.

 

[BadBass]

Fish4thepeck your right. it is all about getting people to manage their land and let up on the smaller bucks.

 

[basser#9]

to put salt in the wound, we the state of tn will eventually will go to the call in system when you harvest a deer. i for one dont like it. because of the non report of deer and poching going on, this will not help us grow bigger and mature deer that we are are all striving for, a little off subject but something to think about ( emo)