Rut opinions?

[Limbhanger]

Does anyone think the best hunting has already past for this rut? I'am sure as it gets colder we all will naturally see more deer, but do you believe the best of the rut has already surfaced?

I'am just wondering as I noticed rutting activity many evenings 3 weeks ago walking out of the woods. This is when it was a little warm out and many night heard bucks grunting and running does at night. Last Sun. was my first hunt in Ohio on the 1st, and witnessed a 130 cl. with a doe. Also seen a couple other good bucks while driving to my hunting spots, last week, and this week it's dead.

Hope I'am wrong, but around here anyways, I'am thinking the best already happened? As with last year it happened later, could the best have already happened a little earlier this year that went unnoticed, because of warmer weather, where the action wasn't that aggresive to pick up on?

[coonskinner]

couplla more days...:D

[Dissident]

Not in the areas that i hunt. I havent found many scrapes or rubs at all. Historicaly, this coming week and the one after are the best, but weather wise i see its supposed to be warm monday and part of tues, then warming up thurs and fri again. I hate it, most of the activity will be at night.

[epe]

It depends on what part of the state. We hunted perry county yesterday and only saw 2 does by themselves. A buddy that was hunting with us called someone hunting in tusc. county, and they saw big bucks chasing does all night. Could not get them to stop for anything. Dad has hunted wash. county all week, only saw one buck, sat. morning at one of the feeders. He is still getting bucks pics at feeders, which means they are not chasing yet. I think it the best is still to come in southern ohio.

[Huntnfool]

[quote=epe;383406]It depends on what part of the state. We hunted perry county yesterday and only saw 2 does by themselves.

What part of Perry county? I hunted there on our farm Tuesday and Thursday. My buddy killed a nice buck (Hearlunger). There were moving really good thursday and friday mornings. Seen about 12 bucks mostly 2.5 year olds on Thursday and about 7 on Friday. We hunted in Fairfield county them evenings and had bucks chasing right at eveinging. Mostly young bucks but I did see one stud on the hoof Friday evening just cruising. He is on my hit list for next year.

Back to the original question. I think the cold mornings got the bucks on there feet. Then it gets warm and just shuts down. I have talked to several people and they seem to think this week if we can get some cold weather. Everyone is seeing 2.5 year olds and younger cruising and chasing but the big boys thus far have stayed out of sight. The 6-12 is usually my favorite time but we need cold temps. so stay at there is still good hunting left and alot of it.

[Limbhanger]

Everyone is seeing 2.5 year olds and younger cruising and chasing but the big boys thus far have stayed out of sight. The 6-12 is usually my favorite time but we need cold temps. so stay at there is still good hunting left and alot of it.


I know many hunters make quotes as such, as to put a date on the best hunting, and never understood why? I always thought the best days could vary a little from year to year, as to normal mid Nov., earlier, or sometimes later?

My point is, as with the 130 cl. buck I saw last Sun. in Ohio, he was obviously tending her. So my question is, do all the Bigger ones, say it's just too early, I'll wait to mid Nov. or when it's colder? Not trying to come off as a smart a$$, just do not understand how many put a timeframe on this?

My reasoning, if the 130. was tending, obviously bigger bucks in the area, have already been doing so. And to me some of the best hunting is when the first does come into heat? Atleast to me that time has passed, as this was last week, and the week before that I was seeing way too many yearlings by themselves. Now I'am seeing hardly anything, or mature does by themselves.

I'am sure hunting does vary area to area, as you all have more mature bucks, which might make for a better or different rut, but to me, many of the first does have already come into heat and the best has passed, is the way I view it? Hope I'am wrong, but just going on what I witnessed so far?

[Huntnfool]

I know many hunters make quotes as such, as to put a date on the best hunting, and never understood why? I always thought the best days could vary a little from year to year, as to normal mid Nov., earlier, or sometimes later?

My point is, as with the 130 cl. buck I saw last Sun. in Ohio, he was obviously tending her. So my question is, do all the Bigger ones, say it's just too early, I'll wait to mid Nov. or when it's colder? Not trying to come off as a smart a$$, just do not understand how many put a timeframe on this?

My reasoning, if the 130. was tending, obviously bigger bucks in the area, have already been doing so. And to me some of the best hunting is when the first does come into heat? Atleast to me that time has passed, as this was last week, and the week before that I was seeing way too many yearlings by themselves. Now I'am seeing hardly anything, or mature does by themselves.

I'am sure hunting does vary area to area, as you all have more mature bucks, which might make for a better or different rut, but to me, many of the first does have already come into heat and the best has passed, is the way I view it? Hope I'am wrong,but just going on what I witnessed so far?


First off you simply asked a question. I gave you my opinon. Sounds like you really didn't want an answere to your question. I gave you my insight.

I like the 6th-12th. Couple of reasons one being the weather is usually cooler by then and veterans day. Also at one time i beleave November 11th held the record for record book bucks.

You may have seen a buck tending a doe that early. There is a few that come into estrous early. Maybe they did not have fawns the previous year or that is just there cycle. I do not know that data on it but most does are bread between 12th and 20th of November. You can figure out this out for your self. Come spring mark down the first time you see a fawn. Then count back the days and then you will figure out when peek breading was. That will give you a better idea.

Remember these does no they can not have there fawns to early nor can they have them to late. To early they will die from cold weather to late well they will not make it through the winter.

I have seen bucks running does during shot gun week. Doesn't mean the herd was in heat but there was one late one. so get out there and hunt is all i can say. we don't call it sweet november for nothing.

[rgecko23]

I think this week is the week to get it done. I wont get to get out much, but this is the time!!

[Gordo]

I hunted very hard last week up till I filled my tag Friday. My observations were the best was yet to come. I never saw a doe being chased hard. I saw one buck pushing a group of does around early in the week, but not full bore. I saw a good amount of bucks and all were cruising. Where I hunt the buck to doe ratio is very favorable, so who knows. You'll never know unless your out in the woods

[cotty16]

I'm hoping the best is yet to come. I have only seen a spike doing some chasing. I did hear some mature grunting last night, but had 6 doe in the same vicinity with no buck busting them up. Perhaps that buck was with a doe already? I hope not. It is all a puzzle as to what stage we are in. Driving me nuts!!!:coco:

[GMbuck]

Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon in Guernsey County, I saw real chasing every afternoon. I think the very warm temps had alot of things going on nocturnal. Sunday before sunset, I saw two deer (one decent 8). Once the sun went down, deer were everywhere. When I climbed down from my stand, I could hear (leaves were like potato chips) and/or see THREE different chases going on, on three different hills. I hate that I'm not out there right NOW.:(