Rut Report 2017

[Canis Latrans]

We did this last few years, and I want to do it again. In this thread I'm asking people to post the rut related activity in their area in a clear and concise format. In the later phases it's important to describe the activity you actually saw, because it avoids confusion of people using terms such as seeking, chasing and peak rut differently. Over time, these threads will gather enough information specific to this state to help predict future ruts.

 

The below example is what I'm seeing and the format to be used. Lets help ourselves and each other better understand the rut and save it here for next year. If you are someone who has always thought about keeping a journal, but never actually write stuff down, you may be surprised at how much what you write here can help you next year. 

 

Area: Capital Region, around 4J
Phase: October Lull

 

Description: Limited movement just after sunrise and just before sunset. A few bucks are seen in pairs and begin feeding about 1/2 hour after sunset. A few rubs and scrapes have opened up in the last week. No breeding behavior yet noted. 

[Hock3y24]

7s/7p-  bucks split up, most movement is in the cooler a.m. periods or last half hour of light Rubs and scrapes popping up all over now. 

[outdoorstom]

6A  10/17

Saw a group of 3 bucks together. Watched 2 four pointers lightly spar off and on for an hour as they browsed.

[Lawdwaz]

9H

October 14 and October 17.........both morning hunts: each morning I've had bucks bed down close to my stand.  My take from it?  Either they are just resting up after copulation or there's nothing happening.

[Meat First]

7M

OCT 14-17.......8pt and 10 pt cruising separately minutes behind a few does 530 pm.  New rubs popping up within the last 2 weeks.

 

[Team Hoyt]

9r seen no activity at all

[stoneam2006]

9x had a 4 pt 200 yards out nose to ground I sent single doe bleat and he turned straight to me moving fast....if only I hadn't wiffed 42 yards figured only 30 shot right under....

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[BBDEric]

9k only deer to seem to be on feet in daylight are small bucks. Just wondering the woods like zombies. Few weeks off but warm temps are holding things up

[JRod 8G8H]

8H we rattled in a 2.5 yo 8 ptr this week.. My buddy took him at 13 yds. First 15 mins of light, came in on a string when he heard horns. Sprayed our area with buck bomb dominant buck on our way to the stands. Just one of those times the stars aligned! Good luck everyone

[two 10s]

9P.
I'm seeing scrapes used daily now.

Also have seen two different does with their tails raised high, twitching in the fields, in the late evenings. Both of them had bucks, that don't normally hang in the fields, with their noses right up in their... you know what.
There seems to be some scattered does hitting it a little early.

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[Hock3y24]

7p nice buck harrasing does, 7s spike walking with a doe

[JRod 8G8H]

8H yesterday morning had a fork and spike posturing at eachother. It was pretty funny actually. Also had a moma doe chasing and blowing at her yearling. Does kicking yearlings already? Seeing tons more scrapes all over now too. Good luck!

[chas0218]

in 8W an 8 point that came in on Sat. 10/21 was trying to beat up on a little 4 point, neck was huge.

Edited October 23, 2017 by chas0218
Forgot WMU

[ApexerER]

4K... 10/21-10/22....Hunted Morning. Saw a group of 3 doe and a unknown on Saturday. Saw what I believe to be the same group of 3 doe Sunday morning. I have seen a spike and a fork from the stand earlier in the month. I have seen no evidence of chasing at all yet. Pulled camera cards and finally have a shooter on camera....It was at 1am but at least he was on there. I would say 4 k is at least a week probably two away before real movement starts....

[Doewhacker]

5R 10/21 Scrapes opened up for the first time. More buck movement on cams. 

2.5 yr old half rack “Baby Face” making his presence known in the community scrapes. (Two different locations)  

[Robhuntandfish]

Saw my first active scrape this morning.

[Buckstopshere]

Scrapes opening up on each of my four hunting spots. One has a scrape cluster of 13 in a 20 yard area (old apple orchard.) But the big boys seem to be hanging back til dark according to my trail cams. Young bucks dogging does. Does hitting the overhanging branches of the scrapes with regularity...we are close. Can't wait for the temps to drop this weekend...maybe the big boys will be on their feet in the daytime! Rut right on time...even with the crazy hot temps.  Should explode right after the full moon in November.

[Sudzy8]

9k. First daylight picture of this guy. Standing in a scrape that he has been a regular visitor to. 

[Buckstopshere]

3 minutes ago, Sudzy8 said:

9k. First daylight picture of this guy. Standing in a scrape that he has been a regular visitor to. 

Beautiful in the bracken ferns. 

[corydd7]

 5h

Late October

No deer movement during hunting hours but on camera there is a 2 1/2 year old buck 3 minutes behind a big doe nose to ground with no intent of stopping and feeding in the food plot. Had one solid rub in the direction he came from. 

[doebuck1234]

No cameras.i go old school ha...took wheeler around property sat afternoon and 5 scrapes looking fresh.havent seen any rubs yet.hoping to get out this weekend.will report back!

[Buckstopshere]

Two scrapes on two different properties...about five miles apart. Both made last night (Sunday.) And a good rub with fresh shavings...Nothing like this time of year to get the juices flowing!

[Fredbear2]

No rut activity in 8p ! Northern Steuben county close to Naples 

[Buckstopshere]

15 minutes ago, Buckstopshere said:

Two scrapes on two different properties...about five miles apart. Both made last night (Sunday.) And a good rub with fresh shavings...Nothing like this time of year to get the juices flowing!

In the top photo, you can see my tree stand in the top righthand quadrant...near the top of the photo.

[Iluvracks1359]

6r 10/16 saw a 4 point actively chasing does  through a field, then ran out into the field, ran in a circle, and darted back in the woods, lol it was crazy