Rut Isn't Over Folks

[UTGrad]

I used to think rut was over by this time. Thankfully experience has proven me wrong. Where I hunt there are does that will come into estrous later into December that will create some amazing rut action. For anyone that is starting to throw in the towel the rut isn't over. In a matter of fact based of trail cam pics of late born fawns there is breeding all the way into early January.

Have fun, keep hunting.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

I saw 5 different chases yesterday. It is far from over. It is peaking in my opinion.

 

[wobblegobble]

It hasn't started in my area yet but should crank up in a couple weeks.

 

[tree_ghost]

Where you located HH?


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[nick2720]

I saw 5 different chases yesterday. It is far from over. It is peaking in my opinion.

X2 seen one yesterday and another buck today chasing

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[Hunter 257W]

I've only hunted 3 days so far this year. December is always the big month on my place for older bucks and I have 4 whole weeks off from work to deal with them then. I'm always amazed at how different parts of TN can vary so much in the rut. It seems that most hunters are quitting soon after Thanksgiving when I haven't even really spun up yet. From about December 10 on to the end of the month is when my hopes are always highest for bucks.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

Where you located HH?


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Southern Bedford

 

[muddyboots]

Heck the rut is just starting.

 

[muddyboots]

According to the drury deer cast the pre rut starts Friday in my area and I will have to say I think it's pretty close.

 

[74MOPAR]

Seems to have passed here in northern summer county, last 4 sits saw one doe.

 

[Dully]

Found my first scrape Monday in Bradley co.

 

[southernhunter]

I started seeing chasing around the end of muzzleloader season in Southern Lincoln county, it seems to be slowing down now from my viewing but some guys are claiming it's just starting in the same area of the county

 

[jard]

I hunt north of lewisburg. Saw lots of checking and deer on their feet last week of October and first week of November. Middle 2 weeks of November it was on. I watched fighting and chasing and deer running everywhere. By Thanksgiving, my rut is about done with lockdown happening. During Muzzy, very few people hunt around me and pressure is low, I maybe hear 5-6 shots the entire time. Once gun starts, I heard 67 shots opening weekend and 4 wheelers (farmers around us dont hunt but lease their land to gun season to seems like anyone that wants to shoot a deer. Couple the pressure with lockdown, my deer go into hiding for a few weeks. Sightings go way down and cam pics go way down for about 2 weeks. Mid December, they get back going again and we usually have a decent second rut about the week before christmas. Either way, our best chance to till is always during muzzleloader. Been this way for 3-4 years now like clockwork.

 

[Mr_TTT2]

2x comments about Rut being different in different areas. Last year saw a buck /doe together first week in Dec. The leaves have dropped, so I need to go in deeper to find them.

 

[woodsman04]

Probably just now starting on the spots I frequent. In my experience about December 4th through 15th in souther Giles county, and seems like another rut is around Christmas to New Years.
(All southern Giles county and Northern Alabama here)
Basically from thanksgiving to About January 18th you never really know.

Most fawns start being seen around July 4th through 20th, but I have seen fawns on Memorial Day, only twice, and once I saw a newborn fawn in September.


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[southernhunter]

Probably just now starting on the spots I frequent. In my experience about December 4th through 15th in souther Giles county, and seems like another rut is around Christmas to New Years.
(All southern Giles county and Northern Alabama here)
Basically from thanksgiving to About January 18th you never really know.

Most fawns start being seen around July 4th through 20th, but I have seen fawns on Memorial Day, only twice, and once I saw a newborn fawn in September.


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. I have seen the same here in southern Lincoln but it's dead right now. Could be a multitude Of reasons though.

 

[Greentimber]

Totally dead in my part of Gibson county. Bucks hanging out together again just chillin and eating. Big groups of does. It'll probably pick back up a little just before Christmas.

 

[TNTreeman]

I hunt north of lewisburg. Saw lots of checking and deer on their feet last week of October and first week of November. Middle 2 weeks of November it was on. I watched fighting and chasing and deer running everywhere. By Thanksgiving, my rut is about done with lockdown happening. During Muzzy, very few people hunt around me and pressure is low, I maybe hear 5-6 shots the entire time. Once gun starts, I heard 67 shots opening weekend and 4 wheelers (farmers around us dont hunt but lease their land to gun season to seems like anyone that wants to shoot a deer. Couple the pressure with lockdown, my deer go into hiding for a few weeks. Sightings go way down and cam pics go way down for about 2 weeks. Mid December, they get back going again and we usually have a decent second rut about the week before christmas. Either way, our best chance to till is always during muzzleloader. Been this way for 3-4 years now like clockwork.

This is exactly the way it is here in Williamson cty. No pressure at all where I'm hunting but haven't seen any mature deer in a couple days. Saw a decent 3.5 by himself making a scrape Tuesday but just milling around eating . Have seen several doe groups by themselves. No chasing for about 10 days and no good pics on the cameras

 

[godores]

I'm on the border of Maury and Hickman, and saw 2 chases today, both by younger bucks. Does are all split up. I did see 2 bucks together as well though (a spike and a pretty mature buck), and my buddy on the other side of the property saw a buck just meandering through the woods.. so I'm just confused about whether it is the rut.. either way, lots of deer moving around in daylight so im happy.

 

[TNTBR]

Was out Thursday morning, seen two groups of does (adult/yearlings/fawns). 4 in one group and 13 in the other. 2 weeks ago they were running solo or in pairs but now all grouped up. Did see a small fork Wed wondering around like he was lost.
Montgomery County

 

[tellico4x4]

According to the drury deer cast the pre rut starts Friday in my area and I will have to say I think it's pretty close.

Agree, serious scrapes & rubs started showing up on Wed for us. Saw 3 small bucks cruising on Thurs. Looking forward to the next two weeks! Wayne/Hardin

 

[southernhunter]

It's odd how it's different all over the state.

 

[TN Whitetail Freak]

Rut just getting started here on the Mississippi. The first does popped Nov. 20 and hemmed up the more mature deer for 5 days but this week I noticed more does coming in together and saw chasing yesterday. Up until then bucks have been lolly gagging behind with occasional grunt.

 

[hitek7]

I hunt north of lewisburg. Saw lots of checking and deer on their feet last week of October and first week of November. Middle 2 weeks of November it was on. I watched fighting and chasing and deer running everywhere. By Thanksgiving, my rut is about done with lockdown happening. During Muzzy, very few people hunt around me and pressure is low, I maybe hear 5-6 shots the entire time. Once gun starts, I heard 67 shots opening weekend and 4 wheelers (farmers around us dont hunt but lease their land to gun season to seems like anyone that wants to shoot a deer. Couple the pressure with lockdown, my deer go into hiding for a few weeks. Sightings go way down and cam pics go way down for about 2 weeks. Mid December, they get back going again and we usually have a decent second rut about the week before christmas. Either way, our best chance to till is always during muzzleloader. Been this way for 3-4 years now like clockwork.

Just west of Lewisburg and it seemed about the same for us. Shot my #1 target last week as he was basically locked down with a doe. Shot my #1 two years ago on Dec.22 (second rut) as he was following a doe.

 

[swd]

Still some chasing in Fayette county yesterday evening.

 

[Ol' Split Toe]

I myself prefer the 2nd rut in mid-late december, because the bucks I have pictures of early will return to their core area and be on the hunt for the one or two does that are not bred. This is also a time when they are both in a rut phase as well as really searching for food to replenish what weight and energy was lost in the primary rut.

 

[RobDooley]

several years ago on January 1, myself and a friend headed out to hike the Abrams Falls trail in the Smokies. For those who don't know where the trail head is, you have to go through Cades Coves to get to it. We hit the cove about daylight...what a show....I have never before seen so many monster bucks chasing does. Professional photographers set up everywhere. We hiked to the falls and headed back out. Same show. Splain that to me Lucy.

 

[gatodoc]

several years ago on January 1, myself and a friend headed out to hike the Abrams Falls trail in the Smokies. For those who don't know where the trail head is, you have to go through Cades Coves to get to it. We hit the cove about daylight...what a show....I have never before seen so many monster bucks chasing does. Professional photographers set up everywhere. We hiked to the falls and headed back out. Same show. Splain that to me Lucy.

Does not bred on their first estrus cycle will recycle about 28 days later. Secondary rut...

 

[UTGrad]

I saw a young buck tending a hot doe last weekend. I'm hoping to see more activity this weekend.


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