Anybody seen any sign rut is on? We're finding lots of scrapes and rubs, but no chasing yet.
Ed, it's been strange. In Johnston County I had bucks starting to run does just two weeks before the full moon on 10/29 and many were dead in the road from the chasing. My cousin hunts 30 miles to the southeast and he has seen small scrapes but no chasing.
We saw bucks chasing does last weekend in SENC. When you get into colder climates like the midwest, it is critical that does are bred at just the perfect time. Too early, and the new borns will freeze to death. To late, and the yearlings won't make it. Timing isn't nearly as critical in SENC, and our does don't all come in at the exact same time. And the doe to buck ratio is so high many does don't take the first time and come back in. This is all my personal opinion, no scientist or master hunter here, but I am certian I am right based on the different sized yearlings I see every year in the same environment...but to answer your question, we did see bucks chasing does last weekend.
Good Luck
I hunt ft bragg and its strange killed my best buck with bow thursday he was checking scrapes and everyone else saying they are chasing
We saw bucks chasing does last weekend in SENC. When you get into colder climates like the midwest, it is critical that does are bred at just the perfect time. Too early, and the new borns will freeze to death. To late, and the yearlings won't make it. Timing isn't nearly as critical in SENC, and our does don't all come in at the exact same time. And the doe to buck ratio is so high many does don't take the first time and come back in. This is all my personal opinion, no scientist or master hunter here, but I am certian I am right based on the different sized yearlings I see every year in the same environment...but to answer your question, we did see bucks chasing does last weekend.
Good Luck
Makes sense. We do see a wide range of yearlings. Some still look fuzzy and others are sleek and big. In the past our best big buck month has been December. I guess that's when most of the does have bred and the bucks are looking for the few left.
One thing that has not happened in our area are deer road kills. Very few so far around Wilmington/Pender county.
We're hunting most of this week hoping it will hit high gear soon.
thanks for all the replies.
killed a 8point chasing a doe 2 weeks ago
I'm just north of Matador and it's been weird around here. I killed a nice 8-pointer 10/17, his neck was a little swollen, tarsals a little dark, but not much stink. He was beatin' it across a bean field towards 2 does though. Another 8 killed that afternoon, same club, could smell him 100 yds. away. The bucks killed this past week, NUTHIN...the rut couldn't have come and gone this early in the east...COULD IT? :shrug:
I think the rut came early Johnston/Wake county. Like I said, almost two weeks prior to the full moon (10/29) so the above date (10/17) the rut a touch early for us considering the full moon. For our location the week leading into Thanksgiving should be good to hunt hard bc the unbreed does coming back in.
Also consider that low temperature will snap some deer into the rut and following warm days can srew-up some deer's cycles. We may be seeing some temperature influence.
Killed a nice 8 saturday. Tarsals were black and neck was a little swollen but he was headed right for a scrape he made right before I dropped him
I think the rut came early Johnston/Wake county. Like I said, almost two weeks prior to the full moon (10/29) so the above date (10/17) the rut a touch early for us considering the full moon. For our location the week leading into Thanksgiving should be good to hunt hard bc the unbreed does coming back in.
Also consider that low temperature will snap some deer into the rut and following warm days can srew-up some deer's cycles. We may be seeing some temperature influence.
Gee, and I'm off from the 15th-26th.....sure hate that! :wtg: :wtg: :wtg:
Killed a nice 8 saturday. Tarsals were black and neck was a little swollen but he was headed right for a scrape he made right before I dropped him
What county?
I saw a HUGE buck yesterday south of Hampstead. It must have been chasing. It was laying on the side of the road with it antlers broken. What was left of them, was extremely thick and healthy. Looked to be in the 150 lb class. Probably the biggest I have seen in New Hanover county. Sad sight to see.
Deer are being hit left and right in Wake and Chatham for the last week or two. While hunting I've not seen any chasing, but driving is a diferent story. I've seen the same 4 point 3 times with his nose to the ground scooting down the road like a bloodhound on steroids. Strange looking deer - about 15-16" spread and 7-8" G2's but no browtines. I'd like to see him in a couple of years but 300yd dashes down the road will make that unlikely.
Seen s!mall bucks chasing on and off again here around Fay and surrounding areas. Think big boys still not on feet real hard but traditionaly they get up and moving bere from now towards Thanksgiving in this area.!
Anybody seen any sign rut is on? We're finding lots of scrapes and rubs, but no chasing yet.
Well, it started! Last two days we've had good bucks show up during the day on the camera. Yesterday afternoon, my buddy got a good 8 pt and I passed on an 8 with good length but skinny rack. Both showed up around 4:30.
Time to be in the woods!