RE: My theory on MI rut in My area
 

Same Here (Mich Thumb) But for some reason I have seen way more then normal young bucks and alot fewer Doe. Strange season.

RE: My theory on MI rut in My area
 

I can add my personal observations for NE Iowa.

1) I agree with those that said there was little 'build up' Nov 2, 3, & 4 were the kick off for most of the big ones to come out cruising and chasing. That is a wee bit later than the previous 2 years which centered around Nov 1, locally. Before that, those I know, and myself, were having very little activity of any kind. It was as if the so called 'lull' extended an extra week.

2) I can testify (any other IA hunters agree with me??) that the dramatic doe reduction in the last 3 seasons has done LOADS for the rut in NE Iowa. Locally, the ratio is approaching 1:1 and I beleive it is well under 1:2. I see less deer but the rut activity has increased 2X. Bowhunters I know back home have been into bucks all week.

I do beleive that getting ratios in line does much for rut activity....and of course there are always other factors.

RE: My theory on MI rut in My area
 

Increase your buck age structure also, but it is what it is.

9 does today I was right there in the bedding area. Not one buck showed up[:@] I did see a BB working a scrape:eek:

RE: My theory on MI rut in My area
 

This has been by far the strangest rut I have ever hunted. 2 weeks ago I saw MATURE bucks chasing does and challenging my decoy. I have been seeing a lot of chasing activity since then.

Also, I have only been out once this year and not seen a buck. I have passed on countless 1.5 and 2.5 yr. olds. I have also seen 6 bucks that I consider to be a shooter. I usually only see 2 or 3 all year.

From all my deer sightings and trail camera pictures, my buck to doe ratio is just a tad over 1:1.

RE: My theory on MI rut in My area
 

Shoulda shot him ;)

RE: My theory on MI rut in My area
 

Here's my take from ND. I haven't seen any indication of the rut kicking in yet...this is from both public and private land. Scrapes and rub numbers are way down, but I'm still seeing lots of different bucks. Including the past couple days, I've seen one buck with a doe. The 2 biggest bucks I saw were traveling together:eek:. At first I thought it seemed that the rut is late this year as well. Now that I think back to years past, it seems that the chasing really heats up the third weekend of Nov. Guess it's only going to get better from here.

RE: My theory on MI rut in My area
 

I'm getting in on this discussion rather late I understand, but I've seen just the opposite in MO. This has been the most productive rut I've encountered. I was seeing bucks the last week of October, just upcruising. I RARELY see bucks before November, and by the 3rd I had one on the ground. The days after I shot my buck, we were at our place in southern MO. We saw.....let me think here.......4 or 5 mature bucks chasing does, and at least twice that many young bucks chasing....

We have seen lots of rubs, scrapes, and lots of movement. I haven't been in the woods in over a week, so I'm not sure what's going on out there right now.

RE: My theory on MI rut in My area
 

Then what would uncle trigger shoot?;)

Rut was picking up the last couple days I hunted. I didhave a nice 115+ 7 pointer by me all day. He looked to be about 2.5. I saw 6 other 1.5 bucks. The one big boy was in the corn on the neighbors, he ran out midday when they combined it off.

9 I saw was killed 1.5 miles away, now that one Atlas I should have shot;)

RE: My theory on MI rut in My area
 

Dude it was your year;) Can I have my mojo back:D

RE: My theory on MI rut in My area
 

I, mobow the buck slayer, do hereby transfer any and all remaining buck mojo back to my Jedi Master, germ....He can do with it what he damn well pleases! :D