when will the rut start or has it?
 

Just wondering when everyone thinks the rut is going to start in the midwest, and if anyone is seeing the mature bucks they're after.

The does were out this morning in nebraska but I only seen one mature buck chasing a doe across a weed patch.

RE: when will the rut start or has it?
 

More than likely they were running from something, pretty early for chasing. Usuallyy last week in October first week in nov the rut will be kicking in hard.

RE: when will the rut start or has it?
 

It's a pretty safe bet that you want to be in the woods the first week of November every year.

RE: when will the rut start or has it?
 

i hurd something like the chasing phase is starting in 2 days idk

RE: when will the rut start or has it?
 

Hasn't started yet, but it won't be long. It could be a matter of days until we start seeing bucks chasing the first few does who are getting close.

RE: when will the rut start or has it?
 

I saw a buck chaseinga doe yesterday. Be in the woods all you can. Its going to be heating up daily.

RE: when will the rut start or has it?
 

I agree with Motown. Based on the fact that I've seen deer, and mainly bucks on the side of I95 in VA twice a day, everyday to and from work. Some are dead, and some are alive. I saw a good monster yesterday evening also, which isn't normal, he was a cow, just standing on the side of the highway.
Behold, the killing season...

RE: when will the rut start or has it?
 

When the does go into estrous!!!!!!

RE: when will the rut start or has it?
 

Iread somewhere on here that in acouple weeksthe seeking phase will start. I think it kinda has already though, I have been seeing several bucks out and about during daylight hours following does. Its not the full out rut yet, but it has begun:)

The rut will be here very soon! Good luck hunting

RE: when will the rut start or has it?
 

Soon grasshopper. I'm starting to get that Nicholson look from the Shinning.

RE: when will the rut start or has it?
 

Exactly goherd1111, the rut is determined by the does...bucks are ready and will dog does from now through the actual rut. (The rut is the period of time when does come into estrous for breeding purposes) The bucks are getting anxious and will push a doe when a doe wants nothing to do with the bucks. This is not the rut, this is prerut and prechase phase. The true chase phase when does start coming into estrous is suppose to be 3 days following the 2nd full moon in the Autumn Equinox and although I don't belive this is exact science, I do know in PA the "rut" is not happening. A week ago I watched a 4 point grunting up a storm and dogging every doe in the field. THIS IS NOT THE RUT, just some over zealous youngster.

Don't mistake a buck chasing a doe as THE RUT, I don't believe it to be here yet. Sure a few does may come into early estrous and for that I agree with MOWTOWN,

Right now it is smart to be in the woods every chance you get, like I said the bucks are anxious and each day that passes it's going to increase. The best days are yet to come but one never knows. You can't take them if your not out there. If I had only 3 days to hunt all year it'd be in the first or second week of Nov......

You said the Midwest right, so to quote the Drury's (not gods but have taken some monster bucks) "We've harvested more mature bucks the 3 days of Nov 8 thru the 10th." That period over the 26 seasons I've been bowhunting indicate just prior to PEAK RUT (PEAK ESTROUS) (LOCKDOWN).