RE: Early Rut in IL?
 

I 've seen more buck fights(8) the first week of deer seasonover the last 15 yrsthan any other time.

RE: Early Rut in IL?
 

i to saw some doe chasing activite in morgan county . just one buck though. saw 8 more last weekend just on feeding paterns still.

RE: Early Rut in IL?
 

I saw two young 8 points sparring at the end of September as far as that goes. My hunting partner saw a big 12 pointtrailing three does at a distacne the other night. But like someone else said, the does aren't ready!

RE: Early Rut in IL?
 

I've seen three bucks while on stand now, all three alone and sniffing the ground alot, two were making scrapes and one of them made a couple rubs. They're getting ready, but it's always up to the does when it starts. Still, they're not in the bachelor-groups anymore.

RE: Early Rut in IL?
 

The amount of daylight is what effects the rut. It is constant year in and year out.Hot weather just means the deer move eariler in the morning to bedding areas and later in the evening to the food sources.


Spudror from Mo

RE: Early Rut in IL?
 

I tried to see some activity today, but the deer must be laying low.
Spent the whole day out there, and didn't see anything but other hunters and tree rats.