Status of the rut in Ohio?

[BillJ]

Just wondering what you guys are seeing.  I've only been out twice, last evening being the latest.  I saw a decent buck scraping around and it made me wonder if the rut was already going.  

What are you Ohio guys seeing?  Where do you think we are - pre-rut?  Is it still the consensus of this group (as in the last couple years when I asked this question) that the rut in Ohio is pretty concentrated on the 1st 2 weeks of November, or is it coming on a little earlier this year?

BillJ

[Jmatt1957]

I shot a buck last week and he had not urniated on his tarsal glands yet. He had been rubbing there was bark in his antlers.  Bucks that I have seen are not showing any intrest in the does yet. Seen a couple of small scrapes but they have not been hit since last week. Any time from Halloween to Thanksgiving is when things go crazy.

[Mike Gerardi]

Hunting last night a group of five bucks were feeding together and moved off in the same group.  They were fork horns , and small 6's

[bowhunter71]

I have not been seeing any sign of the rut til a couple hours ago.I watched a doe come flying out of my woods to the feeder.She kept looking behind her and sure enough there was 8 pointer following.He is not huge but decent.The whole time she fed he kept his distance but followed her.He even shredded a sapling and pee'd on his hocks.They went out in front of our house in some real thick brush and laid down.They are about 25 feet apart.She is a old doe that has been around here for at least 4 or 5 years.It sure seems like he is tending her but I would think it is a little early.Also this is the first time seeing this buck.

[Otto]

If you define the rut as peak breeding like I do, then no.  It ain't here and won't be till about the 2nd or 3rd week of November.  Same time it arrives every year.

But if you mean are the bucks out roaming and sparring and chasing one another out of various pieces of turf, then yes, they are doing that.

[longbowben]

In our woods the first week in november the bucks go on the proul,And hard chasing the second week.Not far away cant wait!!!!

[buckeye_hunter]

We saw does and bucks together tonight. The pizza guy just told me when delivering, he saw a decent 6 point chasing some does. Had to stop and let them pass before delivering my pizza. I told him if he hit one to come and let me know!

It must be just barely starting around here if the little guys are hassling the does.

-Charlie

[GingivitisKahn]

Saw a fair number of rubs tonight and had a few does (strumpets, apparently) come to see what was what when I did a bit of light rattling.  The deer were moving today in central Ohio.

[longbowben]

I have been seeing bucks and does together but nothing going on.We have been seeing lots of small bucks right now.And the bigger bucks have been moving at night, lots or night picks on trail cams.

[leatherneck]

Bucks are still grouped up right now. They ought to split in a about a week. No rut activity as of yet. But when the gobblins come out on halloween, it's on. That seems to be our trigger date. I love the 1st week of Nov. Don't care for the hard core chasing in week 2-3 cause it's too hard to stop em! But it's fun to watch! Oh, I don't have to worry about that this year. I'm bucked out!     Just a little dig for longbowben.

[longbowben]

Dont worry leatherneck ,Im going to put a viedo cam in your hands.Lets see if we can get it done on cam.If i miss you will show the world.  

[buckeye_hunter]

[leatherneck]

quote:Originally posted by longbowben:
Dont worry leatherneck ,Im going to put a viedo cam in your hands.Lets see if we can get it done on cam.If i miss you will show the world.