My new job is taking a lot of my time that I use to have available for scouting and what not. I still have plenty of vacation time left and plan to take a week off from work to hunt.
Is there a reasonable way to estimate when the rut happens in your neck of the woods? I would like to plan to be in the woods around that time and was curious how well one could predict the time. Some say if there is not a hard frost and so on, that the rut will come later.
The largest deer I had taken before was tending to a doe, keeping smaller bucks at bay and what not. That was 11/17/06. Should I assume that the same time each year would be about the right time?
Full Version: Predicting "the rut"
QUOTE (sctroy @ Oct 19 2008, 06:20 PM) 
My new job is taking a lot of my time that I use to have available for scouting and what not. I still have plenty of vacation time left and plan to take a week off from work to hunt.
Is there a reasonable way to estimate when the rut happens in your neck of the woods? I would like to plan to be in the woods around that time and was curious how well one could predict the time. Some say if there is not a hard frost and so on, that the rut will come later.
The largest deer I had taken before was tending to a doe, keeping smaller bucks at bay and what not. That was 11/17/06. Should I assume that the same time each year would be about the right time?
Is there a reasonable way to estimate when the rut happens in your neck of the woods? I would like to plan to be in the woods around that time and was curious how well one could predict the time. Some say if there is not a hard frost and so on, that the rut will come later.
The largest deer I had taken before was tending to a doe, keeping smaller bucks at bay and what not. That was 11/17/06. Should I assume that the same time each year would be about the right time?
Rut
Same time, EVERY year in every State... It NEVER Changes year to year
Rut is triggered by a shortening of the length of daylight hours (referred to as photoperiod) The dates of the rut for different species depends on the length of their gestation period (length of pregnancy). Many species breed so that their young are born in the spring, shortly after new green growth has appeared (which provides food for the females, allowing them to provide milk for the young), and when the temperatures are warm enough that the young will not die of hypothermia This is Natures assurance to offer the best chance for survival...
Having stated the above, The rut in the eyes of a Hunter can change drastically based upon there perspective or what there seeing.
Colder weather will lead to More daylight activity and deer staying on there feet for longer periods... If Days are warm then activity will be MOSTLY at night and Hunters more unaware of its presence.
Bucks WILL cover many miles in search of available does to breed, takes allot out of them, there running a marathon so they pace themselves and will be Much more active in cooler weather versus warmer... As hunters we notice years where the rut is Much more than maybe a previous year. But make no mistake its all happening just the same your just less aware...
Were entering pre rut phase now in Ohio, chase period will be underway by Halloween till Nov 7th there abouts and Peak rut underway 7th thru Thanksgiving... with most breeding peeking here about the 16th of November. beyond the 12th or so you get into that Lock down phase where Bucks are tending does. things die off slightly unless Your fortunate to have a Lockdown Buck with an active female happen by your stand, Its very probable there will be several Bucks on that one Hot doe with the dominant Buck fending them off!!!
Exciting times... Dan
well said dan
QUOTE (OhioBowHunter @ Oct 24 2008, 07:01 PM)
Rut
Same time, EVERY year in every State... It NEVER Changes year to year
Rut is triggered by a shortening of the length of daylight hours (referred to as photoperiod) The dates of the rut for different species depends on the length of their gestation period (length of pregnancy). Many species breed so that their young are born in the spring, shortly after new green growth has appeared (which provides food for the females, allowing them to provide milk for the young), and when the temperatures are warm enough that the young will not die of hypothermia This is Natures assurance to offer the best chance for survival...
Having stated the above, The rut in the eyes of a Hunter can change drastically based upon there perspective or what there seeing.
Colder weather will lead to More daylight activity and deer staying on there feet for longer periods... If Days are warm then activity will be MOSTLY at night and Hunters more unaware of its presence.
Bucks WILL cover many miles in search of available does to breed, takes allot out of them, there running a marathon so they pace themselves and will be Much more active in cooler weather versus warmer... As hunters we notice years where the rut is Much more than maybe a previous year. But make no mistake its all happening just the same your just less aware...
Were entering pre rut phase now in Ohio, chase period will be underway by Halloween till Nov 7th there abouts and Peak rut underway 7th thru Thanksgiving... with most breeding peeking here about the 16th of November. beyond the 12th or so you get into that Lock down phase where Bucks are tending does. things die off slightly unless Your fortunate to have a Lockdown Buck with an active female happen by your stand, Its very probable there will be several Bucks on that one Hot doe with the dominant Buck fending them off!!!
Exciting times... Dan
Same time, EVERY year in every State... It NEVER Changes year to year
Rut is triggered by a shortening of the length of daylight hours (referred to as photoperiod) The dates of the rut for different species depends on the length of their gestation period (length of pregnancy). Many species breed so that their young are born in the spring, shortly after new green growth has appeared (which provides food for the females, allowing them to provide milk for the young), and when the temperatures are warm enough that the young will not die of hypothermia This is Natures assurance to offer the best chance for survival...
Having stated the above, The rut in the eyes of a Hunter can change drastically based upon there perspective or what there seeing.
Colder weather will lead to More daylight activity and deer staying on there feet for longer periods... If Days are warm then activity will be MOSTLY at night and Hunters more unaware of its presence.
Bucks WILL cover many miles in search of available does to breed, takes allot out of them, there running a marathon so they pace themselves and will be Much more active in cooler weather versus warmer... As hunters we notice years where the rut is Much more than maybe a previous year. But make no mistake its all happening just the same your just less aware...
Were entering pre rut phase now in Ohio, chase period will be underway by Halloween till Nov 7th there abouts and Peak rut underway 7th thru Thanksgiving... with most breeding peeking here about the 16th of November. beyond the 12th or so you get into that Lock down phase where Bucks are tending does. things die off slightly unless Your fortunate to have a Lockdown Buck with an active female happen by your stand, Its very probable there will be several Bucks on that one Hot doe with the dominant Buck fending them off!!!
Exciting times... Dan
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!
Now just try to convince people of that.
QUOTE (lugnut @ Oct 24 2008, 06:28 PM)
well said dan
Very well answered by one of the best whitetail addicts on this site.
According to your assessment, the buck I took in '06 was pure luck because he was a lock down. Makes sense. It was the 17th, he was tending a doe and pushing smaller bucks away. It was a 1 1/2 hour spectacle I'll not soon forget.
Now, this season, it appears the temps will be relatively cool next week. Unfortunately, that's not enough notice to give my boss for a full week off. Also, the forecast is calling for slightly warmer temps the week after. That doesn't sound too promising for daytime activity. I may have just messed myself up by waiting so long.
Thanks for the info. It is extremely useful.
Now, this season, it appears the temps will be relatively cool next week. Unfortunately, that's not enough notice to give my boss for a full week off. Also, the forecast is calling for slightly warmer temps the week after. That doesn't sound too promising for daytime activity. I may have just messed myself up by waiting so long.
Thanks for the info. It is extremely useful.
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