Rut

[Winchester]

I wish there was no rifle season in my county during peak rut...lol. Seriously, many of your top deer states dont have a rifle season till after peak rut...i.e. Iowa, Ohio. Peak rut taking place after gun closes may result in a larger number of mature bucks than there would otherwise be...just a different way to look at it.

Each state sets their regulations based on the local conditions. Midwestern agricultural states have to have more restrictive buck harvest rules because the terrain is flatter and the habitat more open. In those conditions, killing bucks is much easier (because they can be seen and shot from great distances). They require more restrictive buck limits to prevent over-harvest. Although TN has such habitat/terrain, it is not the most common habitat/terrain. TN has a much higher percent of land that is very low-visibility. In that situation, less protection is required. In fact, gun hunting during the rut is necessary to allow hunters enough opportunity to harvest bucks. Without it, buck harvests (which are NOT too high), would decline dramatically.

As a secondary note, you do realize TN has a far superior buck age structure to Ohio? Ohio hunters slaughter the yearling bucks. TN hunters don't.

BSK the Charles Krauthammer of TNDeer!

Facts are facts, and these are facts!!!!

 

[redblood]

Even though the midwest is open it is hard to kill a deer in a 500minute acees field with a slug gun or stinkpole.

 

[rubicon]

The fact is where I hunt we dont get to hunt the good rut with any weapon cause its closed.

 

[Winchester]

Even though the midwest is open it is hard to kill a deer in a 500minute acees field with a slug gun or stinkpole.

Yes but getting easier every year with the 300 yard shotguns and even longer distance MZ's now available!

 

[Frank G]

Some of the new MLs will get "way" out there. It's amazing how on target they can be.

 

[scn]

The fact is where I hunt we dont get to hunt the good rut with any weapon cause its closed.

The research has shown that there isn't any county in the state that doesn't have some type of open season during the rut.

Passing through, carry on.

 

[knightrider]

The fact is where I hunt we dont get to hunt the good rut with any weapon cause its closed.

The research has shown that there isn't any county in the state that doesn't have some type of open season during the rut.

Passing through, carry on.

carry on ! I have a feeling he will lol

 

[WG Taxidermist]

The fact is where I hunt we dont get to hunt the good rut with any weapon cause its closed.

The research has shown that there isn't any county in the state that doesn't have some type of open season during the rut.

Passing through, carry on.

Ive never been one to put much faith in statistics and what not but I know where I hunt I see more big bucks chasing the first of january. After me and my son got done hunting sunday morning we went over to where we seen the big buck saturday evening to see if we could find any sign. Well we got over there and found a fresh rub line all the way down this ridge with freshly cleaned scrapes. Im not going to disagree with the fact that there isnt a county that doesnt have a season open during some part of the rut but I DO NOT agree that every county gets to hunt the prime rut.

 

[Jmed]

I wish there was no rifle season in my county during peak rut...lol. Seriously, many of your top deer states dont have a rifle season till after peak rut...i.e. Iowa, Ohio. Peak rut taking place after gun closes may result in a larger number of mature bucks than there would otherwise be...just a different way to look at it.

Each state sets their regulations based on the local conditions. Midwestern agricultural states have to have more restrictive buck harvest rules because the terrain is flatter and the habitat more open. In those conditions, killing bucks is much easier (because they can be seen and shot from great distances). They require more restrictive buck limits to prevent over-harvest. Although TN has such habitat/terrain, it is not the most common habitat/terrain. TN has a much higher percent of land that is very low-visibility. In that situation, less protection is required. In fact, gun hunting during the rut is necessary to allow hunters enough opportunity to harvest bucks. Without it, buck harvests (which are NOT too high), would decline dramatically.

As a secondary note, you do realize TN has a far superior buck age structure to Ohio? Ohio hunters slaughter the yearling bucks. TN hunters don't.

Yes, that makes sense and I agree. The areas of TN that have the late rut seem to pump out some big bucks, or is it just me?

 

[rubicon]

scn I said the good part not just the starting of it and I will keep on

 

[deerhunter10]

scn I said the good part not just the starting of it and I will keep on

Simple solution find land in Alabama to hunt best of both worlds IMO.

 

[redblood]

i coyote hunt all winter long and see rut activity into late Jan. but i know that is the except not the rule. we have 9 weeks to hunt deer with a rifle in nov, dec and into Jan. that surely gives everyone plenty of time to get some rut action,

 

[redblood]

scn I said the good part not just the starting of it and I will keep on

Simple solution find land in Alabama to hunt best of both worlds IMO.

]


that is a benefit of being close to the alabama border, but even in Northern alabama, the rut starts well before Jan 6th

 

[rubicon]

i should not have to hunt alabama i live in tn and hunt tn and by the way redblood go to aldeer and look under jackson county rut tell them you know everything and they should not hunt cause bucks are dumping antlers and all the does have been breed

 

[in the dog house]

scn I said the good part not just the starting of it and I will keep on

Simple solution find land in Alabama to hunt best of both worlds IMO.

]


that is a benefit of being close to the alabama border, but even in Northern alabama, the rut starts well before Jan 6th

I lived on the Jackson Madison county line for over 30 years, and the rut there (30 miles south of the TN. line ) wouldn't start until around 15th, give or take a day or 2.

 

[redblood]

This is why I think they need to extend season at least in the southern counties. Setting here in a shooting house with my son and just had amature 9 point come through chasing a doe. Im not talking about just playing either this deer was doggin this doe.

i forgot to ask. did he get the deer. look at the positive, at least the judy kids get some rut action on the late juvenile

 

[BuckNazty]

I would like to see them extend the season so I could actually hunt the "late season". A few Midwestern states stay open longer than the Tennessee season so they get to focus on food sources during the late muzzleloader season. Heck Arkansas runs until the end of February! I would just for once get to hunt a good late season in Tennessee!

 

[Quailman]

Even though the midwest is open it is hard to kill a deer in a 500minute acees field with a slug gun or stinkpole.

Yes but getting easier every year with the 300 yard shotguns and even longer distance MZ's now available!

I've hunted the midwest for 15 years, and I've never met anyone that owned a slug gun or muzzleloader that shoots 300+ yards, so I do find this interesting.

Another thing I find interesting is that certain people constantly make the statement that bucks are so easy to kill in the midwest because of the open terrain, so harvest regulations have to be set accordingly to limit over harvest. However, the habitat/terrain in West TN is suprisingly similar to what is found in the midwest, yet West TN has the most liberal harvest regulations in the state?

Winchester, that last point was not directed at you, so please don't take offense.

As scn stated in another post, I'm just passing through so carry on.

 

[Winchester]

Even though the midwest is open it is hard to kill a deer in a 500minute acees field with a slug gun or stinkpole.

Yes but getting easier every year with the 300 yard shotguns and even longer distance MZ's now available!

I've hunted the midwest for 15 years, and I've never met anyone that owned a slug gun or muzzleloader that shoots 300+ yards, so I do find this interesting.

Another thing I find interesting is that certain people constantly make the statement that bucks are so easy to kill in the midwest because of the open terrain, so harvest regulations have to be set accordingly to limit over harvest. However, the habitat/terrain in West TN is suprisingly similar to what is found in the midwest, yet West TN has the most liberal harvest regulations in the state?

Winchester, that last point was not directed at you, so please don't take offense.

As scn stated in another post, I'm just passing through so carry on.

No Offense taken but I own 3 MZ's that with a solid rest I have ZERO problem in shooting a deer in a wide open field like so much of the Midwest is!!
The new 3 1/2" 20 ga slug gun is advertised as a 300 yard gun as well!

Carry on!

 

[WG Taxidermist]

This is why I think they need to extend season at least in the southern counties. Setting here in a shooting house with my son and just had amature 9 point come through chasing a doe. Im not talking about just playing either this deer was doggin this doe.

i forgot to ask. did he get the deer. look at the positive, at least the judy kids get some rut action on the late juvenile

No the deer came through so fast. He and was chasing the doe in and out of a thicket so he couldnt get a clean shot on it.

 

[Brisco Darlin]

Even though the midwest is open it is hard to kill a deer in a 500minute acees field with a slug gun or stinkpole.

Yes but getting easier every year with the 300 yard shotguns and even longer distance MZ's now available!

I've hunted the midwest for 15 years, and I've never met anyone that owned a slug gun or muzzleloader that shoots 300+ yards, so I do find this interesting.

Another thing I find interesting is that certain people constantly make the statement that bucks are so easy to kill in the midwest because of the open terrain, so harvest regulations have to be set accordingly to limit over harvest. However, the habitat/terrain in West TN is suprisingly similar to what is found in the midwest, yet West TN has the most liberal harvest regulations in the state?

Winchester, that last point was not directed at you, so please don't take offense.

As scn stated in another post, I'm just passing through so carry on.

ask EWC about his.

 

[Quailman]

Even though the midwest is open it is hard to kill a deer in a 500minute acees field with a slug gun or stinkpole.

Yes but getting easier every year with the 300 yard shotguns and even longer distance MZ's now available!

I've hunted the midwest for 15 years, and I've never met anyone that owned a slug gun or muzzleloader that shoots 300+ yards, so I do find this interesting.

Another thing I find interesting is that certain people constantly make the statement that bucks are so easy to kill in the midwest because of the open terrain, so harvest regulations have to be set accordingly to limit over harvest. However, the habitat/terrain in West TN is suprisingly similar to what is found in the midwest, yet West TN has the most liberal harvest regulations in the state?

Winchester, that last point was not directed at you, so please don't take offense.

As scn stated in another post, I'm just passing through so carry on.

No Offense taken but I own 3 MZ's that with a solid rest I have ZERO problem in shooting a deer in a wide open field like so much of the Midwest is!!
The new 3 1/2" 20 ga slug gun is advertised as a 300 yard gun as well!

Carry on!

I'm definitely not saying they don't exist, because I know they do, but very few people own those types of weapons. My own slug gun has killed a deer at 182 yards, but the average shot with that gun is around 50yds.

 

[Bone Collector]

I have said it at least 5 times on here. Designate the county Unit A, B, or L and then break the state down into zones based on rut activity, deer density and set seasons and bag limits accordingly.

Way too complicated. When folks can't even decipher when the muzzleloader season opens, a hodgepodged mix of seasons would be impossible.

I've learned never to say never, but that suggestion just isn't doable for a variety of reasons.

If they can do it in SC we should be able to handle it here. They ain't no smarter than we is :grin:

On a serious note though, complexity is not why people cannot figure out when a season is. It is Laziness. People will simply believe they know everything and will not do a little research and reading to be sure they are right. That is why we have idiots hunting a week early for ML and will most likely have some this year......

 

[AlabamaSwamper]

I've lived and hunted in Jackson Co, AL. have a good friend that has 25+ bucks over 125", several over 140" and he just told me Christmas til Jan 10th.

 

[redhunterZ71]

I've lived and hunted in Jackson Co, AL. have a good friend that has 25+ bucks over 125", several over 140" and he just told me Christmas til Jan 10th.

he's dead on!!!

 

[AlabamaSwamper]

by the heads, plaques and racks in his garage, I trend to listen to him.