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

"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.

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!!!

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"

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!!!!!!!!!

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

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

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

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

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

AllenC