Deer in the rut already!?!?

in 'em · 10-07-2005, 10:26 AM

Someone in another post claimed to have seen some rut signs from some bucks...is this possible so early? Has anyone else seen any rutting activity???

FishTech101 · 10-07-2005, 10:28 AM

maybe up high but the weather needs to be like almost freezing for the whole day and be more than just one. like a 30 35 degrees high

StickFish · 10-07-2005, 10:32 AM

I don't think it is the temps that cause the bucks to think about the rut - more like a consistent signal like less light during the day IMO - could be wrong though.

Yes it would be early - like a month early

Two Fister · 10-07-2005, 10:34 AM

I was surprised to see some decent bucks running with does in the Paulina unit last weekend. They may have been pushed together as I was scouring the area looking for my father in law...

Amahnee · 10-07-2005, 10:36 AM

My understanding is that the rut is activated by the amount of light per day and estrus cycles by females.

I think the temperature has an effect on movement and animal attitude, but that's about it. Same as us.

younggun20 · 10-07-2005, 10:38 AM

Yeah Stickfish I am with you. I hate to start this one, but it is not the weather that causes deer or elk to rut. I know that is what everyone has been told and believes, but it's not true. It has to do with many other factors, but the weather is not one of them.

FishTech101 · 10-07-2005, 10:40 AM

yes it is the shortening days but also the weather says so in Boyds book.

outdoor.spec.ops · 10-07-2005, 10:58 AM

I was trying to verify two bucks as being legal from about 350 yards away in the fog when the bucks began sparring. Before I was able to get them in the spotting scope, they chased eachother and the 4 does into the timber. I had hiked back to the main road, and glanced back to where the deer went into the timber, and saw the bigger buck chasing the smaller buck into the clear cut. No good shot oportunities, but maybe tomarrow? They were frisky to say the least. This was in the coast range.

NMBRCRNCHR · 10-07-2005, 11:20 AM

If weather isn't a factor, why is there such a variance in when the rut starts across the U.S.?

Lured In · 10-07-2005, 11:36 AM

Bucks sparring in early October is not necessarily a sign of rut activity. Bucks are simply playing around now that they are out of velvet. I have seen several places in early October with evidence of bucks sparring. On Friday of last week my brother saw 4 bucks standing around just poking at one another. No swollen necks, no real aggressive stances, just rubbing antlers.

If the bucks aren't running rub lines, it hasn't begun yet.

I saw very little in the way of new rubs over the weekend. Mostly it was old rut activity and what appeared to bucks ridding themselves of their velvet.

BrianMaguire · 10-07-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

If weather isn't a factor, why is there such a variance in when the rut starts across the U.S.?

The important factor is when the faws are born. N.D. fawns need to be born at a different time (later probably) than an Alabama fawn. These deer evolved in these areas and have the timing down pat for thier home range. The weather in Late Oct. has no bearing on the spring weather when they are born. If it did then weather forcasting would be much better.

Spooney · 10-07-2005, 06:16 PM

I am a white-tail deer hunter by trade; still learning these "unibrows".....the white tails entered a "Pre-Rut" in October back in Kentucky, Georgia and North Carolina. Do blacktails enter a "Pre Rut"? I have been seeing a lot of rubs (no scrapes) the last seven days.

Ryan Pultz · 10-07-2005, 07:52 PM

Yes they do enter a pre rut and with the dark cloudy days and sun setting sooner they should be in pre rut or pretty darn close time to get out the deer calls and rattle in some bucks. rp

BrianMaguire · 10-08-2005, 12:02 AM

Quote:

I am a white-tail deer hunter by trade; still learning these "unibrows".....the white tails entered a "Pre-Rut" in October back in Kentucky, Georgia and North Carolina. Do blacktails enter a "Pre Rut"? I have been seeing a lot of rubs (no scrapes) the last seven days.

I have never hunted whitetails but have hunted blacktails since I was 12.

Anyway, from what I have read over the years of Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, etc, whitetails are very little like blacktails. Blacktail bucks will litterally let you step on them and let you walk right by. My best success comes from still hunting very slowly, like a moving stand. As for the rut, heck I don't know, it has not made much difference in my hunting style, it is just that the deer are more active in daylight.

B-RUN STEELIE · 10-08-2005, 05:16 AM

Deer are different all over the country. In the east, a whitetail might live in the same area its whole life. In Idaho and Montana, a lot of them migrate just like mule deer do, they have to because of the snow at high elevations. Guys from back east say thats B.S- I think the rut has to do with the length of the day and moon faze, which usually happens in November when its cold. If it was still warm, it would still happen.

Rank Amateur · 10-08-2005, 09:56 AM

Yep, the length of daylight is the main determinate and not surprisingly when the sun is out less, the weather turns colder. One thing I have noticed in the past on years that had a dry front half of the season. When the first rains fell was a prime time to be out, it seems Blacktails get real active on the first rain, its like they want to get out of the wet brush and out in the open.

in 'em · 10-12-2005, 12:17 PM

I think it's daylight savings time that starts the rut. =)

Hunt'nFish · 10-12-2005, 12:53 PM

I think it's basically the weather that drives the rutting action. Length of day equates to cooler temps, leaves turning, and the beginning of the rainy season. All these get blacktail feeling amorous.
Personally I haven't seen any evidence of much rutting action. Rubs are associated more with removal of velvet with some some territorial factors thrown in. Scraps are usually better indicators of pre-rut action as they become even more territorial. Rattling should be productive right now. I will make one note here though....If you look at a set of blacktail antlers, you'll notice the they are usually very dark brown w/ little ivory showing. (I used the term "ivory" loose here as we all know it's not truely ivory) I speculate that blacktail do not spar and battle nearly as much as the other species of deer. Which leads me to wonder how productive rattling might be. I personally have never seen or heard any blacktail locking horns and going at it.
I know some of you have mentioned rattling, does this REALLY work?? Or is it more of a sourthern oregon, scrub oak tactic?
Hunt'nFish

earlybird007 · 10-12-2005, 01:36 PM

I know some of you have mentioned rattling, does this REALLY work?? Or is it more of a sourthern oregon, scrub oak tactic?
Hunt'nFish

Yep....it really works.

At least on the central oregon coast, I bowhunt the dunes national recreation area and have brought in at least 5 bucks there with rattling. Didnt kill em' all but they came in

Twitchs_Tackle · 10-12-2005, 02:36 PM

These last couple cold fronts that have passed through have probably started a little bit of rut type activity, and as people have mentioned, photoperiod (daily light levels) also plays a part.

THere are some great bucks begining to hang out with all the does along the fields by the Paulina hwy. Great eye-candy :grin:

native · 10-12-2005, 03:08 PM

Quote:

I speculate that blacktail do not spar and battle nearly as much as the other species of deer. Which leads me to wonder how productive rattling might be. I personally have never seen or heard any blacktail locking horns and going at it.

I witnessed a 3 point vs. 4 point battle last year two days after the end of rifle season, so they definately do spar but as far as as much as other species, I don't know?

ehunter · 10-12-2005, 03:45 PM

I have also seen them spar more playing but definatly butting heads.

native · 10-12-2005, 03:50 PM

Being that this was around the beginning of Nov. I don;t think they were playing around IMO

Damien · 10-14-2005, 07:08 AM

I think it is safe to say that by the end of Oct they are starting to rut. I havn't seen any fresh rubs in my area. There are rubs around but they are probably from last year. it is getting close to that magical time.!

Roseybulls · 10-14-2005, 08:59 AM

My buddy killed a nice 4 point up in the Trask last weekend. From his pics, looked as though his neck was showing signs of swelling.