This years rut?
09-19-2006, 07:23 AM
#13
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Canandaigua, NY
Posts: 550
RE: This years rut?
I've talked to people in my area and they too said basically what VT Ridges says. I think our rut is a bit later than everyone elses. A guy I spoke to that has been hunting the northern area of NY (watertown, tug hill and such) says the deer usually do it a week or two later than other places. Why would this be?
09-22-2006, 06:01 AM
#16
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 34
RE: This years rut?
I am taking that week of Nov 6-10 off too. Charlie Alshheimer (sp) said that the 7th and 8th will probably be the best days....and totake your vacation around those days. I had originally planned on taking the previous week, be changed it after I saw that D&DH episode with Charlie.
Is it october yet!
Is it october yet!
09-22-2006, 07:21 AM
#17
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,236
RE: This years rut?
He is the expert, and he probably is right, but I think that will be the peak of the rut. If I had my druthers, I would hunt a few days prior to that myself. The bucks will be "seeking" or "trolling" for does then, and walking all over to locate them. They casually walk willy nilly through the woods then with their head in a fog. I have seen bucks at this time that have seen me and they walk through anyway, like they are totally unconcerned with my presence.
If you take the whole week off you should be good to go.
If you take the whole week off you should be good to go.
09-22-2006, 08:14 AM
#18
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 36
RE: This years rut?
My experience in MD is that 4-6 yr old bucks do little trolling in the pre-rut. They will get up a little early go and do a visual and scent checks the fields. During the first 10 days or so of november, they are waiting for the does to come in heat. Its the 1-2 yr olds that do all the pre-rut trolling and pushing of does not in heat. Then the big boys lock down with the does. Around the 3rd week of november the big boys have had a taste and looking for more, they are not tired out and will get up for daylightstrolls to doe groups the are familiar with.
I know of several giant bucks killed in MD from the 18-30 of november while trolling. The one tough thing ive found is that while checking doe groups in daylight those old buck literally fly from one to another, taking unusual short cuts, often they will cross fields with wind at thier back because they can SEE with thier eyes. Then once in the woods they will turn and catch crosswinds to smell for does where the cannot see that well..
I know of several giant bucks killed in MD from the 18-30 of november while trolling. The one tough thing ive found is that while checking doe groups in daylight those old buck literally fly from one to another, taking unusual short cuts, often they will cross fields with wind at thier back because they can SEE with thier eyes. Then once in the woods they will turn and catch crosswinds to smell for does where the cannot see that well..
09-22-2006, 08:24 AM
#19
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 36
RE: This years rut?
This year I am going to focus on what I have learned to be " breeding spots" on my farms. The are out of the way ravines, gullies, fencerows, etc. that are away from the main woods areas. My obs and those of farmers have led me to believe that in the peak rut that is where to hunt. Many times they may even be close to a house or road. They just dont want to be bothered by the little bucks or a bigger buck than them!
