Rut activity thread
10-29-2013, 05:52 PM
#13
Spike
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rockville, VA
Posts: 59
Central VA - I got in my stand yesterday about 45 minutes before sunlight and let a buck bomb, doe in estrus scent, go...and within 10 minutes had two small bucks and a nice buck show up. The larger one did more circling around my stand trying to play the wind, but all hung out until about 5 minutes after light enough for a shot. Got to see the shooter buck, and I hope I get another chance at him. He never gave me a shot within the 5 minutes of light I had, but he was definitely on the scent, stomping, grunting, and rubbing all around stand. I heard a deeper grunting downwind, but he never came within sight to see him. They are definitely reacting to scent in a more aggressive way since a week or so ago.
Today I racked and grunted in a few smaller ones, but no shooters, so its getting to be around the quarter. I think by the next full moon we should start to have most mature does going in full estrus, so I cant wait until the bucks start to get stupid and getting out in daylight. Ive been in the woods since the first of October, so Im more than ready, and a lot more comfortable with what stand to shoot with each wind.
Today I racked and grunted in a few smaller ones, but no shooters, so its getting to be around the quarter. I think by the next full moon we should start to have most mature does going in full estrus, so I cant wait until the bucks start to get stupid and getting out in daylight. Ive been in the woods since the first of October, so Im more than ready, and a lot more comfortable with what stand to shoot with each wind.
10-29-2013, 11:28 PM
#14
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mont County, Pa
Posts: 7,368
I'm leaving shortly for an all day hunt. Yesterday I saw a decent 8pt yesterday at 1:40PM! No shot, but it's nice to know they are on their feet during daylight now. I'm hoping the next 4 days will produce some good activity. 
11-02-2013, 06:06 PM
#16
Spike
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SE Mn
Posts: 61
Thursday night, I hit the woods. Had three bucks come in. Each on the same trail, about 2-3 minutes apart. They all walked the edge of the field, licked the upper limbs of the over hanging trees and made scrapes as they made their way towards me. 2 of the 3 were small and not legal here, but there was a very nice 9 that stayed just behind a blown down Maple and stayed there until dark.
Tonight, I had my decoy out with a small set of antlers on it. A small 6 point came walking down the edge of the field and noticed my decoy when he was approx 10 yards from it. He immediately lowered his head and his ears layed flat. Stiff legged it right up to my decoy. I tried to get my camera phone out to video what I thought was about to happen, (he trashing my decoy), but decided that there was enough daylight left and that I should try to scare him off. I grabbed my antlers I have for rattling, and crashed them hard. Didn't phase him a bit. Blew the grunt call like an drunken auctioneer, he could have cared less. I actually started yelling at him and ended up throwing a small Oak branch at him which sent him running. I wish I had my movie camera set up for that one.
Any scrapes that were active over the past 2 weeks where I hunt have NOT been refreshed. I have seen a few small bucks in close proximity to does. No active pursuit, but give it a week if that and the chase will be on. Absolutely ZERO activity in the morning. All movement where I'm at has been in the pm.
Tonight, I had my decoy out with a small set of antlers on it. A small 6 point came walking down the edge of the field and noticed my decoy when he was approx 10 yards from it. He immediately lowered his head and his ears layed flat. Stiff legged it right up to my decoy. I tried to get my camera phone out to video what I thought was about to happen, (he trashing my decoy), but decided that there was enough daylight left and that I should try to scare him off. I grabbed my antlers I have for rattling, and crashed them hard. Didn't phase him a bit. Blew the grunt call like an drunken auctioneer, he could have cared less. I actually started yelling at him and ended up throwing a small Oak branch at him which sent him running. I wish I had my movie camera set up for that one.
Any scrapes that were active over the past 2 weeks where I hunt have NOT been refreshed. I have seen a few small bucks in close proximity to does. No active pursuit, but give it a week if that and the chase will be on. Absolutely ZERO activity in the morning. All movement where I'm at has been in the pm.
11-03-2013, 04:35 PM
#17
Spike
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 4
Had video of a little fork horn chasing does this past week, on the trail cam, but for the most part the does around here aren't being harrassed much and keeping to they're fall feeding patterns, up here in the RepubliK of Konnecticut.
11-03-2013, 05:29 PM
#18
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Southeast Missouri
Posts: 2,178
This past Monday I was in my stand watching a large open Ridge Field and had 2 Bucks chasing a Young Doe all around the field!Went out again sat evening and saw 2 Bucks cruising thru the same field,had a Young Buck run out and check my Doe Decoy then run off,saw 2 Does and a Fawn then another young Doe cross the same field....lots of movement after the rain/storms we had this week.
There's lots of rubs and fresh scrapes activity going on....if cold weather hits the Rut will be getting much better in the next few weeks for sure,as mentioned the Big Bucks are still smart and staying mostly Nocturnal so far!
There's lots of rubs and fresh scrapes activity going on....if cold weather hits the Rut will be getting much better in the next few weeks for sure,as mentioned the Big Bucks are still smart and staying mostly Nocturnal so far!