Over the last 5-7 day my cams have filled up with bucks checking for does. However it is only the young ones that are doing it. Does this mean it hasn't fully kicked in for the older ones to start looking? I don't have a single pic of what I would consider an older buck on cam checking or chasing. We have seen some chasing in stand but again always the younger. The older ones that have been seen from stand are almost not interested in the does comparatively. Just asking for thoughts and opinions on this. Thanks
Rut question
- Thread starter JDS
- Start date
Boll Weevil
Well-Known Member
Older bucks that have been around the block a few times know its still early. They'd rather not put themselves in the open during daylight until the risk is worth the reward.
Mike Belt
Well-Known Member
Based on my dismal hunt results so far this year I hesitate stating anything about deer hunting so take my comments on the rut with a grain of salt. To my way of thinking, the bigger, older bucks don't waste a lot of their energy chasing does for nothing. That's not to say you won't ever see one dogging a doe but that's the exception to the rule. Generally the younger, less experienced bucks are the ones you witness doing that. That is the first stage of the oncoming rut and it's actually brought on by those bucks you see. There is no breeding going on and there aren't any does in heat yet. Those young bucks are experiencing a hormonal change and they really can't handle it very well, thus the chasing you see. It's been said that the older bucks make the first scrapes you start seeing. I'm not so sure about that because I think these younger bucks are in a frenzy because of their inability to handle the changes they're experiencing and begin scraping and chasing in their frustration. The older bucks are witnessing this and may begin making their own scrapes as a sign of dominance rather than for breeding purposes. Over the next couple of weeks and as the does are getting closer to entering estrous the older bucks may begin making more daylight appearances. They'll probably begin making more scrapes as well. This tends to frustrate the younger bucks even more and they begin scraping more. One feeds off the other. This doesn't go unnoticed by the does which may now be on the verge of coming into heat. Once a couple enter estrus scraping will hit a frenzy and the older bucks will begin searching. Once several are in heat scrapes will begin going dry and the deer will be on their feet and moving. You want a shot at an older buck doing his natural thing in his chosen area? Hunt there just before those first does come into heat. You want a shot at an older buck also doing his natural thing but possibly on the dead run and possibly miles from his normal area? Hunt once the rut kicks in.
dirtyhands
Well-Known Member
Poser":32l5i6c3 said:
Haha roadhouse comes to mind
hughedj1
Member
Poser I have to say, that was probably the best explanation of the rut that I have heard. Makes perfect sense
I hunt in Franklin, TN and am seeing only young bucks chasing/looking as well. I have seen some does in groups and some singles today. It is early for the mature bucks. In seasons past I have seen mature bucks in this part of muzzle loader but it was much colder in temps on a regular basis.
Simpleman.2
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I agree. I've seen a lot of younger bucks chasing but no big boys yet. I think we're still about a week out or so depending on where you're located.
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X-Tennessean
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N. West TN
Witnessed my first mature deer chasing this morning, two mature bucks actually. Nephew killed one of them at 11:30 this morning and I let the other slip by me dogging a doe with two dinks wide open trying to catch up to them.
IMO and experience, your mature deer will find a receptive doe and move away from all the ruckus and teenagers, staying as low key as possible and most often hiding out in the places you'd least expect them to, like that little 1/4 acre wood lot in the middle of the field that no one ventures to check out! Granted you will have some that will join in with the youngins and play along. Once she is thru breeding then they will move on to join the party with the heathens!!
Witnessed my first mature deer chasing this morning, two mature bucks actually. Nephew killed one of them at 11:30 this morning and I let the other slip by me dogging a doe with two dinks wide open trying to catch up to them.
IMO and experience, your mature deer will find a receptive doe and move away from all the ruckus and teenagers, staying as low key as possible and most often hiding out in the places you'd least expect them to, like that little 1/4 acre wood lot in the middle of the field that no one ventures to check out! Granted you will have some that will join in with the youngins and play along. Once she is thru breeding then they will move on to join the party with the heathens!!
Winchester
Well-Known Member
Exactly right, I have watched it many many times, the young bucks always pester the does for days before they will actually come in heat. The older bucks wont start the bumping/dogging until they start to smell right. Over the wknd I watched young bucks bump does all day long without a single all out chase or a mature buck getting involved at all. Now some areas are definitely ahead of others and its already going on, just not where I am just yet but I think its very close.JDS":hoh36s8z said:
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
It may take a month for all adult does to ovulate. Most will be in a one week period if sex ratios are reasonable. First few does are in now, and mature bucks are actively searching even in daylight. (southern middle TN). By next week, many does will be in heat and the big ones won't have to search hard
