Rut in Kentucky
07-24-2013, 05:48 PM
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 728
Rut in Kentucky
I was wondering if any of you from Kentucky or that have hunted Kentucky could tell me when the peak rut usually is there. We are trying to make our plans to hunt there this fall and would like to time it out around the best rut activity if possible.
07-25-2013, 06:39 AM
#2
Spike
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 25
Mid to late first week ok November to about the 25th or so. Hunted down there with my uncle a few times and that is when he told me most activity for bucks chasing does is. Also depends on the weather patterns though. I assume that if it gets colder faster this year, that could end up being earlier such as late October
07-28-2013, 03:09 PM
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 201
My experience with the rut in Kentucky is strange...the best time to hunt if you are wanting to experience a lot of bucks chasing does around and acting brainless is from Halloween through the second weekend of November (that is the opening weekend of rifle season and not many brainless bucks with antlers survive it)...this is especially true if it is cold (temps from 25-40)...bucks will respond to calls (grunting and antlers) as well as estrus scents...
Thereafter, a lot of really big bucks breed the does (still nocturnal mainly)...though you have a decent chance of seeing nice racks if you can hold off from killing the 120-class 8 points you would still see in a really good area...the action is usually much slower though...
Any of the Wildlife Management Areas that restricts gun hunting and has Archery only during this time is a "mecca" for deer hunters willing to put the rifles away...on one public access WMA, I have seen OR shot at least one 150+ buck a year (late October - first weekend November) for the past five years...
Fort Knox also has many 150+ class bucks that are harvested (and do not count against the KY harvest limit)...
Thereafter, a lot of really big bucks breed the does (still nocturnal mainly)...though you have a decent chance of seeing nice racks if you can hold off from killing the 120-class 8 points you would still see in a really good area...the action is usually much slower though...
Any of the Wildlife Management Areas that restricts gun hunting and has Archery only during this time is a "mecca" for deer hunters willing to put the rifles away...on one public access WMA, I have seen OR shot at least one 150+ buck a year (late October - first weekend November) for the past five years...
Fort Knox also has many 150+ class bucks that are harvested (and do not count against the KY harvest limit)...
07-28-2013, 03:38 PM
#6
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 728
My experience with the rut in Kentucky is strange...the best time to hunt if you are wanting to experience a lot of bucks chasing does around and acting brainless is from Halloween through the second weekend of November (that is the opening weekend of rifle season and not many brainless bucks with antlers survive it)...this is especially true if it is cold (temps from 25-40)...bucks will respond to calls (grunting and antlers) as well as estrus scents...
Thereafter, a lot of really big bucks breed the does (still nocturnal mainly)...though you have a decent chance of seeing nice racks if you can hold off from killing the 120-class 8 points you would still see in a really good area...the action is usually much slower though...
Any of the Wildlife Management Areas that restricts gun hunting and has Archery only during this time is a "mecca" for deer hunters willing to put the rifles away...on one public access WMA, I have seen OR shot at least one 150+ buck a year (late October - first weekend November) for the past five years...
Fort Knox also has many 150+ class bucks that are harvested (and do not count against the KY harvest limit)...
Thereafter, a lot of really big bucks breed the does (still nocturnal mainly)...though you have a decent chance of seeing nice racks if you can hold off from killing the 120-class 8 points you would still see in a really good area...the action is usually much slower though...
Any of the Wildlife Management Areas that restricts gun hunting and has Archery only during this time is a "mecca" for deer hunters willing to put the rifles away...on one public access WMA, I have seen OR shot at least one 150+ buck a year (late October - first weekend November) for the past five years...
Fort Knox also has many 150+ class bucks that are harvested (and do not count against the KY harvest limit)...
08-06-2013, 10:06 AM
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 141
Are you hunting Land Between the Lakes or private land? I live in Western KY.
08-06-2013, 01:25 PM
#9
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 141
Okay, I'm not as familiar with the private land east of the lakes as I am with LBL. I live farther west than the lakes and do all my private land hunting on that side... You're timing should be be pretty good though. Personally, I prefer the weeks leading up to the gun season opener, but you are at least getting opening weekend. After that, the big boys will be in full nocturnal mode until December. Should be some good hunting. You will hear plenty of shooting unless you are hunting a HUGE property, I can guarantee that.
08-06-2013, 04:29 PM
#10
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 728
Okay, I'm not as familiar with the private land east of the lakes as I am with LBL. I live farther west than the lakes and do all my private land hunting on that side... You're timing should be be pretty good though. Personally, I prefer the weeks leading up to the gun season opener, but you are at least getting opening weekend. After that, the big boys will be in full nocturnal mode until December. Should be some good hunting. You will hear plenty of shooting unless you are hunting a HUGE property, I can guarantee that.
