Minnesota Rut Dates
 

So when would be the best time to take a couple of days off to hunt the rut in Minnesota? When do you think the chase faze will start? I am planning on taking a couple of days off during the rut, but dont really know what days would be the best.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

I always take the last few days off before the gun season opens. That is as close as you can get to hunting the rut in Minnesota with a bow without the gun hunters in the woods.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

Oct 31-Nov10th

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

like others have said ., the weekend before and the week before this years gun season ., so if you do have a few days off take 27-31 of oct. off! good luck ,

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

I've been out scouting quite a bit and this year things may be later. Just my guess. Usually by now I see tons of rubs and several scrapes. Very few of either so far.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

I would say the week prior to shotgun opener. Why don't you take the whole week off, Im sure Hammer won't mind. Not to rub it in or anything but I have Oct 26th through November 15th off, so if your spots need hunting let me know:D

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

Hunt hard on Halloween like always.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

You never did work very hard:D

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

Yep, me too, I havnt seen any scrapes yet, and in the past I have seen a ton of them by now.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

The scrapes that come in early to mid Oct mean nothing. The ones that start showing up at the end of the month are the ones you want to pay attention to.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

you know it. But didI mention that this is the only vacation time I took this year. Now I just hope the rain stops so they can get some of this corn out, otherwise I think it will be a slow vacation.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

Might be slow, but it will still be better than sitting at work. Have you been seeing anything this year, or havnt you been out much? Good luck with your time off, we are swamped at work, so my time in the woods has been limited.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

I have been out a fair amount but havn't had any luck. This has been my slowest year in a long time. But I have started seeing a bunch of scrapes and rubs popping up, along with watching a few bucks starting to chase a little bit so it should start to happen real soon. You had any luck yet?

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

Nope, I am not seeing anything. I went about 3 days in a row, where I saw a ton of deer, (mostly small bucks) everytime I went out. Now the last couple of weeks, I'm not seeing anything.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

TeeJay,

The early scrapes usually give an indicator of what is lurking around. Generally I start seeing scrapes/rubs the end of August-Mid September. This is the latest I have been scouting and have found very little sign in the usual places. I did find a fresh scrape on Sunday in one of the usual places. Walked several miles scouting durring the early doe season. I did head shoot a nice doe with my 16 ga., slug of course.

I have been up flying scouting also and have seen a couple of really nice bucks but generally this time of year I spot several everytime I'm up. I'm sure they are out there....just being sneakier this year. :)

WW

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

WW I have also seen several young bucks use 1 scrape though. Yes it tells you that you have a buck around, but it doesnt mean size or numbers.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

Bigdaddy -

It does seem like alot of the movement has slowed down or at least been right at dark or after the last couple weeks. Hopefully I can get in and get my camera here pretty quick but the water is so high it goes over the top of my hip waders - its normally only shin deep, hopefully that will give me a better clue when they are moving through the area.

I did get pics of a buck that I have had on camera for 3 years now, I think he is a 4 year old deer, he has 4 points on one side and then a 10 inch beam on the other side that has a fork on it but he has a huge body,so if i see him while i'm out on stand he might be getting an arrow shot at him.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

Tonight I saw a young buck grunting chasing does. I love watching that, hopefully it's a sign that it's picking up.

RE: Minnesota Rut Dates
 

Last night I saw one young buck following a doe and 3 fawns. He wasn't paying any attention to the doe really, just following them where they went and feeding with them.