rut?

[fisherboys08]

guys, what have you been seing ? what is your take on what is going on with the rut this year did i miss the big chase? i seen some deer following but nothing like last year it almost seems to be dead in the woods im hunting with bucks still walking withing eyesight of each other and no chasing or signs of aggression from any of them, i dont know , what do yall think?

[cameron133]

I think them bigger and older bucks are locked down with the does ands the does are not moving.

[hunter]

I agree with cameron133 the big bucks are not on the move this week like last week, chasing doe's and scent checking them. I believe the first doe's have come into estrous and these bigger bucks have them bedded down in thick cover breeding them. Things should pick up by the end of the week once more doe's come into estrous and breeding ramps up.

[BIG FOX]

I live in St MArys County and when I was going home from the horrible Redskins game monday night/Tuesday morning I saw at least 10 BIG bucks and everyone had a doe with them. I went around one corner and there was a monster 10 point with a doe and when my headlights hit the doe she ran back and forth across a cow pasture and the buck was right on her butt the whole time. it was a pretty cool site but this was at 1 am. It is heating up in St Marys I think...

[brettgerhart]

I wondered the same thing. I have never witnessed a big buck actually chasing a doe. This year I have seen big bucks by themself except one. From November 2nd to last saturdayn this has been the case. Saturday we were on the ground at noon eating lunch when a big buck came in on us with three doe. He was dogging them pretty good. My friends and I when we see a buck is walking steady with a doe or either by themself. Got some reports from others that chasing is heavy and we are in the middle of the rut right now. I am going to go out friday and saturday morning to check it out! Good luck to all of you this weekend!

[osprey]

I had bucks chasing early last week, but just the past day or so seeing big bucks out walking in daylight. Sorta wierd this year, fits and starts from what I'm seeing.

Alsheimer's predictions for this year of the lunar phase were late and a trickle rut, seems pretty close to that around me. Could still be good by gun season...

[fisherboys08]

i found lots of rubs today in area,s were there were no sign at all last week so i hope this is a step in the right direction

[tinmanhunting]

Had three does come by this evening but no followers. ? Where are the bucks ? Full moon going to make things difficult this weekend...

[hunteronwheels]

I agree with the notion the big bucks are holding tight with the early does. Hoping it will break open a little this week since I can hunt for a couple of days. I also have corn out and they haven't touched it in weeks. Guess they are still eating acorns but I have never seen them ignore corn for such a long period of time.

[osprey]

I've been noticing the same thing on the corn. My woods is 99% pines and they still are rarely hitting the feeder, gone 3-4 straight nights without a deer pic on the camera set over it! Got me a bit perplexed on that one...

[tinmanhunting]

Having the same luck with the corn. I even tried to sweet'n up with some other attractant. No go??

[chadbarron]

Walked out behind the house yesterday to put corn out and check cameras. As I was checking camera heard leaves and crashing noise. I turned around and there was a huge 8-point chasing a doe all around me the deer stopped about 20 yards from me. The buck looked right at me and trotted off toward the doe. Wish the buck would do that when I am hunting. Just my luck.