DE RUT??
 

guys, when was the rut at it's peak last year???

RE: DE RUT??
 

"the rut" is usually defined as peak breeding time. The
best chance to see multiple bucks is "the week(s)" prior to this date. In NY the peak breeding date is usually Nov 20. For me, the first week in Nov is usally the best time to connect with a traveling buck. Not to much pressure yet, bow season, and does are not generally receptive - keeps the bucks moving.

RE: DE RUT??
 

Peak breeding is about the 15th in Delaware. Usually right smack dab in the middle of gun season (which is the exact reason I head over to Maryland that week!!!) The major year to year variances that influences activity level is the weather. For the past few years we have been plague with warm weather during mid-November and that has really supressed daytime movement. Hope for a cold fall and hit the woods hard the first two weeks of Novemeber!!!

RE: DE RUT??
 

Yeah, the past few years have been less than stellar, but assuming it gets cool enough, the first two weeks are the best in Nov. That 10 days between the 5th and the 15th are the prime time, and if we ever get the cold snaps like we used to during that period, look out.
For some reason I can't stop debating where I want to be on that Saturday of 11/9, call it a hunch.

"In heaven, even the fish have antlers"

RE: DE RUT??
 

November 9th....hmmmm....if possible, I'll spend the entire day on a secluded island farm in southern Somerset County...wind will be slightly NW with daytime temps about 42. There will be a heavy frost on the ground due to sub-30 degree temps at night...first deer by will be a yearling doe, looking over her shoulder with tail outstretched..I'll hear telltal grunting and heavy footsteps behind her in the frag patch...he'll step out and I'll be awestruck by the fact his antlers seemingly dwarf his 200 lb body... he'll pass by un-aware of my presence..I'll bring the arrow to full draw and release as my hand finds the proper anchor..the arrow will speed rapidly tight behind his shoulder..his death run will end just at the edge of the marsh....yeah, Im ready!!!!!!!!!

RE: DE RUT??
 

I hope it gets cold this year too. I had the whole week of gun season off last year so I could hunt and I stopped going by tuesday. I plan on sitting all day 11/9 and the 1st 3 days of shotgun if thats what it takes, but only if the weather cooperates.

Next year when I have more vaca, i think i'm just going to take a couple days off during the gun season and concentrate more time on the 1st couple weeks of Bow season. Sitting in the office this week has been torture.. :)

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

RE: DE RUT??
 

What's the big deal with 11/9? Is that a big day or what?

RE: DE RUT??
 

Ed,

Its just smack dab in the middle of the Rut, 3 weeks since the last time deer have been shot at by a gun, and 1 week before shotgun season. I think its an archers best shot at a nice buck. Just my opinion. <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

RE: DE RUT??
 

duckmaster is right..it is the best time to call..rattle, but be careful with the rattle..sometimes it can have the opposite effect.
scents can be a charm if u have the right one. i wont tell u guys where i get my scent from, but all of u have it at home:)

RE: DE RUT??
 

Lemond.....do you hang yours by the strings already attached to them????/ :-)

AllenC

RE: DE RUT??
 

coolerpup, i use the strings:)-

RE: DE RUT??
 

You guys are sick!!! I'll admit though I took my wife once and had one of the best nights I ever had for seeing bucks. Had one little spike follow her across the field. Scared the crap out of her!!!!

RE: DE RUT??
 

now that is to funny. hey with the bucks coming out of velvet..they r ready to breed. the urge isnt that strong, but they r thinking about it...hey, i think about it everyday:)

RE: DE RUT??
 

The Maryland DNR says that most does are bred during the first 2 weeks of November. Cant be much different in Delaware. I agree with farm hunter that the best time to be in the woods is right before all the does come into heat. The bucks will be ready and moving alot looking for the first hot does. I have had my best hunting days on Nov 7.

RE: DE RUT??
 

thanks for all of the info...the last 2wks of oct and the 1st of nov should b hot:

RE: DE RUT??
 

guys i wanted to being this back up...i will post if i see any activity in the morning. i will be in the woods at first light.

RE: DE RUT??
 

Hey guys, It's funny that you all mentioned 11/9 as &quot;the day&quot; to be in the woods all day. It happens to be the day last year I scored on my big buck! I didn't know I was going to sit all day until I saw a buck chasing does around early that morning. After passing on many smaller deer, I arrowed mine just before dark. I used to take the first week of bow off. This year, guess what week I have off? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: DE RUT??
 

What days do you expect to be the best during the rut in western ny???
I have vaction days i need to use up??? HELP me pick some days(4).
Thanks eddie

RE: DE RUT??
 

go for the second week of nov