Where are we in the deer rut?

[Dirttracker18 26]

Maybe this can be an ongoing thread where people update but for now I am wondering if anyone has seen or heard any signs to point to where we are right now?

Anyone see or hear any sparring yet? Even light stuff? See any bachelor groups?

I have not had a lot of time to scout so hoping some info will give me some ideas on what to expect and my best chance calls.

Any thoughts?

[ghart 55]

read the fall magazine

http://nwoutdoors.ca/

Page 22 .....

Timing based on biology and local observations.

Have a good month before calling starts to work.

[randomheroj 16]

I've just seen button bucks and smaller point bucks play fighting... only does are grouping up now from what I've seen on my cameras

[Dirttracker18 26]

read the fall magazine

http://nwoutdoors.ca/

Page 22 .....

Timing based on biology and local observations.

Have a good month before calling starts to work.

Calls work from early pre rut, to pre rut, rut and post rut. Knowing where were are in that (what stage) would determine what might work.

As you noted, looking for local observations.

Randomheroj

I have started seeing the button bucks and tiny spikers coming around too. Change is slowly starting.

[ghart 55]

Has anyone had luck rattling in these parts?

I've never heard a fight, have tried rattling a few times with no results.

Have grunted in a few big bucks with a tend grunt/doe can call combo the last few years.

[Dirttracker18 26]

I cant say I have but I am relatively new to deer. My understanding is that rattling is a bit of an art. It has to be used subtly and very conservatively. Listen to some fights on you tube and gauge the sounds and duration to help develop a rattle that works.

Like you, I have called in bucks with grunts and doe calls.

Here's an interesting article about calling!

http://www.northamericanwhitetail.com/tactics/rut/huntingtactics_wt_transitional_1208/

[Guest 2112]

i had a buck come right up to the stand i as hunting last year. first deer i ever shot. it left a doe to come challenge my rattle so it must work

[Guest fish9876]

Easy boys and girls...its still only september lol

[Dirttracker18 26]

Not sure what you're getting at? Once the season opens we are just wasting time away if we are not focused. I figured this local forum is the place to share info.

Also, October is right around the corner.

[Guest fish9876]

I was just saying that it is still early for the deer rut. Still the time of year to focus on food and bedding. End of october is usually when things pick up in pace for the rut. I have however used deer grunts to arouse curiosity out of does in early october. Between 3 and 5 short grunts.

[Pro fisherman-Stud Muffin 420]

Has anyone had luck rattling in these parts?

I've never heard a fight, have tried rattling a few times with no results.

Have grunted in a few big bucks with a tend grunt/doe can call combo the last few years.

I find rattle is best for big bucks. Surprisingly effective before mating starts.

I've heard bucks lock antlers many times . I can't rattle anywhere as loud as they were. Unreal. I was shocked they can make that much noise.

Last year had over 10 come in to rattle alone. I use real horns

[walleyewarrior 23]

Real horns are key. I also stomp the ground while rattling. The extra pounding on the ground really seems to bring bucks in

[gsambray 172]

Does have been coming into calls but the Bucks seem to only be moving when it's dark. Hopefully they start to stay out longer and come out earlier soon. Saving my antler less for when I'm on holidays and it's getting harder and harder to not squeeze the trigger when they stand broadside I front of me

[naden 131]

Have any of you had any luck using the rattle bags for calling in deer? Im refering to the mesh bags with the plastic sticks in them.

Ive tried them a few times and managed to only call in a curious doe.

[Nnev 70]

Went out to check the cams and replenish the feed that I put out last Friday. 5 new ground scrapes popped up so I guess things are starting to get going.

[Gwhunter99 17]

Have any of you had any luck using the rattle bags for calling in deer? Im refering to the mesh bags with the plastic sticks in them.

Ive tried them a few times and managed to only call in a curious doe.

I have success with them. Surprisingly they are louder than real antlers. So keep that in mind

[naden 131]

I have success with them. Surprisingly they are louder than real antlers. So keep that in mind

Thanks for the reply, I too was surprised at how loud they are. Do you see that as advantage over real horns or are they too loud? I like that they are small and that I can tuck them into my pockets

[Gwhunter99 17]

Thanks for the reply, I too was surprised at how loud they are. Do you see that as advantage over real horns or are they too loud? I like that they are small and that I can tuck them into my pockets

I feel they work the same. I start quiet and if nothing, I hammer them for 30sec plus. I prefer having the small and convenient size of the rattle bag

[Monks 164]

Checked out a few of my areas yesterday. Scrapes and rubs started, not being hit to hard yet but this next week they should be on the move more. Grunt tubes and some rattling should be working well drawing in the curious bucks.

[Dirttracker18 26]

Same here. Oddly though I am finding many more scrapes than rubs at this point.

Exciting to try and find some time this week to get out and try to work some of these areas.

[Nnev 70]

I've found about a dozen ground scrapes but no rubs. Where about's is your hunt spot Monks? No details needed. just general ie Towards the border, Murillo, Oliver Paipoonge. I hunt 2 spots towards the border and Oliver Paipoonge and sometimes see a difference of 2 weeks between the rut start and end in the two areas.

[Jayfishin 63]

Usually around Halloween we have had pretty good success with rattling as the bucks seem to be cruising as the rut starts up. Lets hope the temps stay cool for next week when we head west!

[TroutHunter 39]

Watched a small 8pt chasing around 2 does tonight for an hour or so. He was eating some feed when he noticed them, his head dropped and he was hot on those girls! Chased them around the woods and back to my bait pile 2 or 3 times in an hour or so. I still think it may be a bit early yet IMO.

[Pro fisherman-Stud Muffin 420]

Buck fever has set in. !!!?

Hunting a new stand today . small buck walks into call. Like on a string. Stood up to draw on him at like 10 yds. Fall arrest Tree strap too low !!! Couldn't stand up . half standing i drew bow tried to lower sights. No room!!! bow limbs on my legs . trid to lift and let down bow. Legs got shakey had to sit. Somehow ejected my knocked arrow. Lands under me

Buck takes 2 steps to my left still 10 yds. Reload Draw. No shot for like 45 seconds. Let down bow . cam hits armrest . Ting!!! ..... Ahhhh. Lol

[Gwhunter99 17]

Good thing it was a little buck!!