DaveH

The rubs first appeared in late Sept. Then scrapes started opening up and rubbing became unbelievable in early October thru the end of the month. November came and scrapes began covering over, sightings of deer became a rarity and fawns were seen without their mothers. NOW, the scrapes have been touched up and some new ones have opened, but that has been short-lived--this morning, most hadn't been hit in several days. Friends of mine also seem to think the rut has come and is near gone already--at least in central MD. This is extreemly early--even for MD. Anyone else seeing this?

slicendice

To be honest, I don't believe the rut has kicked in yet where I hunt in Washington County. Scrapes just appeared in the last 2 weeks and the bucks do not seem to be responding much to lures or calling. It appeared that the rut was ready to kick in last week until it warmed up again. Then it seemed to stall. Hopefully the cold snap that is coming in will heat things up around here.

VFT_MD

Dave, the action in Hereford Md. was pretty hot latter part of last week but, according to theRut Guide the hottest period is the 8th.-13th. trolling .It looks that it was a little earlier though. Went out with my father this morning and it started raining, imagine that they were not calling for any. Did not see anything and come down early.

Rickmur

In centeral Md I think for the most part it's winding down also. Out there in Washington Co. What your seeing may be the second rut as they always start earlier in that part of the state. I know when I used to hunt Garret Co. it would peak about the first of Nov.

Natty Bumpo

According to the MD DNR most does are actually bred here during the first 2 weeks of Nov. Across the state.

I think the best time to be in the woods is the last week of Oct. thru the first week of Nov. Of course any doe that didnt get bred the first rut will come into heat 28 days later. In western MD there are less bucks than elsewhere in the state, so alot of does probably dont get bred the first time they go into heat.

Here in southern MD I am still seeing scrapes with no leaves in them.

fuzzjocky2

i have been seeing alot of dink bucks and lone does wich tells me that most of the bigger deer are busy makeing woopy in the thick stuff and not moving i like the period just after the main part of the breading season I seem to see more big deer trolling at that time (nov 17 to firearm opener) just my thoughts on the subject

mizzou2002

I don't know what the rumors are, but here in southern MD, I'm finding hot scrapes all over the place...and I mean hot. Yesterday I found several in a small area that were wet and had been worked down through the soil to hard bed. Hoofprints and everything. I wasn't finding these things (at least in this area) 2 weeks ago. I'm don't think the rut's over. It was my understanding that fresh hot scrapes indicated being in the rut.

<font color=green>How many vegetables had to die to make your stupid salad!</font id=green>

cyclone

You've gotta be kidding...
I don't think that it's even peaked yet...
Maybe your stand is overhunted...lures not working...that's because there are millions of gallons of the stuff poured throughout the woods...Walmart's loving it...Grunting not working...Cause everyone and thier relatives are grunting...overdone more like it...

Try this new idea instead of bleating, grunting, rattling and scenting....I call it..being natural...do nothing but wait...

I saw three bucks hounding the same doe this past weekend...one of them doesn't bother her anymore..

Get out there and hunt....tis the season....

~Will Hunt For Food~

DaveH

Scrapes are hit or miss it seems. The weather has probably been a big factor (really sucked the last few days with rain, high winds and too warm). I have seen a couple of scrapes that were freshened--one by a six point that I passed on. Most though have gone dead. I'm still seeing other small bucks too. I guess I'll give it one more go this afternoon--my vacation is now officially over--I go back to work tonight. Can you tell I'm depressed? <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>

Today's small bucks are tomorrow's trophies.

Steve F.in MD

Here in Frederick County I saw two bucks chasing does on Monday morning in a steady rain. I think they are still rutting here.