Woods Went Dead
#12
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: West Wisconsin
Posts: 126
Experiencing the same in WI right now. If there are not a lot of big bucks in the area or small bucks for that matter the buck sign will not be there and nor will the typical rut activity. If there are very few does the same will happen. I have 2 different areas. They both are normally good, however this year seems to be a long drawn out rut which started back in late October around the 26th. In one area, where there are fewer deer, it seems like its done and the other where there are plenty of deer it seems like it is just getting going.
#13
Had something similar happen to me as well! The weekend of the 26th I saw some chasing going on and have seen nothing since.
Someone was registering a nice drop tine at the gas station and said they were chasing pretty good all day!
Someone was registering a nice drop tine at the gas station and said they were chasing pretty good all day!
#14
This is what happened here in Virginia where I hunt.. Bucks were starting to chase a little on the 11th.. on the 12th that cold front you speak of came in. With that cold front came a lot of wind. All the deer I was seeing all day were bedded down out of the wind. This evening well yesterday evening now... about 3 pm the wind finally calmed down. At 4:30 I had killed an 8 pointer, the second buck I seen chasing does in an hour. Was wind a problem there also?
#15
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 362
This is what happened here in Virginia where I hunt.. Bucks were starting to chase a little on the 11th.. on the 12th that cold front you speak of came in. With that cold front came a lot of wind. All the deer I was seeing all day were bedded down out of the wind. This evening well yesterday evening now... about 3 pm the wind finally calmed down. At 4:30 I had killed an 8 pointer, the second buck I seen chasing does in an hour. Was wind a problem there also?
#16
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 203
Don't know whats going on here in my part of minnesota, its currently our rifle season, and all we have been seeing are fawns. its like the bucks and does have just disappered. these poor fawns are looking so sad they just wander around like they have lost there best friend.. I remember a time when the rut was on you always saw does being chased by bucks all day. now I wonder if the deer have changed there courting ritual. it seem now when the does are in estrus they just stay put and the bucks with them.
#17
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 362
Update with regards to OP
Things picked up yesterday. It was 26 degrees and we are nearly full moon. Saw a buck cruising early morning around 7 and then some does around 8. At around 9 there was major chasing going on. I saw a buck hot after a doe; pretty much at a dead sprint. About 15 minutes later another 8 point was cruising about 60 yards.... Hit the grunt tube a couple of times and he came right at me.
I am not sure what the difference is between Monday and today because it seems like the woods got quiet with nothing moving on Wednesday. Only difference was I gambled and didn't hunt a fsvorable wind which could have been it.
I am not sure what the difference is between Monday and today because it seems like the woods got quiet with nothing moving on Wednesday. Only difference was I gambled and didn't hunt a fsvorable wind which could have been it.