Any of you guys seeing signs of an early rut?? This weekend I saw a buck trailing a doe, a buck just trashin small trees, and thought I heard them begining to spar a bit. Anyone else seeing anything strange??

Haven't seen much for rut activity yet here in southern IL but that is not to say things may be different in the northern part with temps being a little lower. Normally when the days start getting shorter you'll see the bucks start searching for does at least down here. The weather still plays into the whole rut scheme of things though. Keep an eye out and let us know what you see Dan.

Good Luck,

79 Bronco

This week out I think I heard some sparring early in the morning. Northern Illinoins

Happens every year. Bucks will rub, scrape, spar, chase, all of the above once velvet is off. They're just practicing for the real deal come early November. Last year I watched a buck chase a doe, work a scrape and licking branch the 8th of October.

Bucks are always ready just like any other male species. The rut doesn't begin until the does come into estrous.

Ditto on the buck chasing doe. Sunday the 14th in Morgan County.

Always a few does come in early to spark the rut.

Good luck all-

October 14, Adams Co -saw about a 130-140 class chasing a bunch of does. Obviously no takers as most of the does ran away. Regardless, they are starting to look!

I have witnessed unusually heavy activity. There was a pretty serious buckfight the other night, it also drew a crowd as 3 more bucks came to see who was top Dog.

I can't belive you guys are seeing this activity with these darn warm temps. Might be worth busting out the horns and doing a little tickling of them this weekend and see what we can stir up.

I was thinking the same thing Titleist. I just dug out mine today.