BSK

[KENBOB10]

Is it possible this late in the year that our deer here in Mcminn county are just now beginning to rut? Just this past week we have started seeing buck sign. Have witnessed no chasing yet. It has always been earlier here, maybe mid November. I killed an eight point Saturday eve and he was by himself.

 

[KENBOB10]

TTT

 

[KENBOB10]

T

 

[BSK]

Locally, deer breed at the same time each year (although herd conditions can shift peak dates a few days either way year to year). However, when we as hunters actual witness peak breeding activity can shift dramatically from year to year, depending on many factors.

 

[KENBOB10]

Thanks Brian. Been a weird year here.

 

[Bone Collector]

Locally, deer breed at the same time each year (although herd conditions can shift peak dates a few days either way year to year). However, when we as hunters actual witness peak breeding activity can shift dramatically from year to year, depending on many factors.

So in simple terms are you saying that the rut cannot be 2-3 weeks late, because there are a lot on here that think it is, just because they have not seen any rut activity.


I have been saying that I felt like peak breeding had already occurred in Rutherford and Wilson Co, despite seeing hardly any rut activity. Yet others claim it is still off in the future.

Now I will admit, that I did find two new rubs between 11/26 and 12/1 and it appeared that a scrape had been worked and there were droppings in it.

 

[Mike Belt]

Peak breeding and peak breeding "seen" by the hunter are usually 2 different things. I'd venture to say that prior to the rut many hunters say that the rut has started based on seeing young bucks pestering does. On the flip side I think the rut often starts afterward before many hunters realize it has started.

 

[TRIGGER]

I witnessed does and fawns separated around the 14th. I don't go by buck sightings as far as determining peak breeding goes.

 

[Bone Collector]

I witnessed does and fawns separated around the 14th. I don't go by buck sightings as far as determining peak breeding goes.

I started seeing does and fawns seperated on the 9th.

 

[BSK]

Locally, deer breed at the same time each year (although herd conditions can shift peak dates a few days either way year to year). However, when we as hunters actual witness peak breeding activity can shift dramatically from year to year, depending on many factors.

So in simple terms are you saying that the rut cannot be 2-3 weeks late, because there are a lot on here that think it is, just because they have not seen any rut activity.

That is exactly what I'm saying. For each given location, actual breeding peaked or is peaking within a day or two of when it did last year, whether we are seeing it or not. Other factors (some probably unknown) can and will make the rut appear to be occurring at different times than it really is to us hunters observing deer in daylight. Remember that most breeding occurs at night or in very thick cover.

 

[gatodoc]

BSK if an area (the lease I'm on) has an abundance of does, is it possible that the normal signs of rut may not be as obvious because it's so easy for the bucks to find hot does?

About 2 weeks ago, I would have sworn I heard bucks giving "tending grunts" from real thick cover in Rhea county, but we've not seen much chasing or buck traveling...

 

[BSK]

BSK if an area (the lease I'm on) has an abundance of does, is it possible that the normal signs of rut may not be as obvious because it's so easy for the bucks to find hot does?

Absolutely. However, I don't think that's the problem with this year's weird rut. I've seen places with exceptional adult sex ratios that experienced a poor rut this year.