Rut, pre-rut? Something's happening.

[Mr.Magoo]

Saw a couple of bucks out at mid morning with their noses on the ground and moving pretty fast.

Looks like activity is picking-up.

[KodiakMag]

Saw a buck chasing some does last night. This cooler weather we had come through up here was nice.

[snakebit40]

From now till the 31 of this month is when I've had my best luck of tagging out in the past. I usually rattle in a couple bucks a night this time of year. Hoping to get out tonight! Good luck guys!

[team fudd]

F.I.L.  saw two fightin last night and one chasin, its on boys!!!!!!!!

[LoweBow]

I have 2 full weeks of vacation starting this Friday at 3:30 pm (or earlier if I sneek out).  Scrapes are everywhere on my farm in KY and buck are beginning to move.  Saw 4 bucks Friday evening from stand.  A 2.5 yo 8 and a great 3.5 yo buck sparred for over 30 min.  The 3.5 yo woulda been a shooter had he not had a broken off main beam about 3" above his head.  The 4th buck was a BRUTE of an 8-point.  I got him headed my way w/ a few grunts and he coverd about 50 yds of the 150 yds between us when the other bucks got excited from my grunting and tickling of my antlers and they started bull dogging does around in the field.  This caused him to lose interest and follow the boys and girls across the field away from me.  

I'll be back looking for him again.  

From what I'm seeing the young'uns are starting to harass the women folks, but we're still a week+ out from the big boys gettin hot.

[Bob B.]

South West Wisconsin ... I have not seen much, but my woods are rather deer deprived.  that said, I did see 2 bucks bush each other around a bit last week, not a fight, just a size up match.  Also this past weekend I have seen two doe fawns get sorta chased by a buck, not serious, jsut a checking you out kinda following - they did not like it .  Also, saw a 1st year horn push a doe and sent check her.  

Bob.

[USN_Sam1385]

We aren't rutting yet.

Well, let me say that we aren't at 'Peak rut' yet. There are several phases of the rut: seeking, chasing, being 'locked down', etc.

I hear people say the same thing every year, because a few of the younger bucks start getting excited, and one or two does may come into estrus early and set that small chunk of woods on fire for a day or two.

The first week of November is the time to take your vacation. An old timer I know says the same thing after almost 60 years of bow hunting.

November 2nd through about the 10th it goes bonkers north of the Mason Dixon.

JMHO

[owlbait]

Bucks are more active in our area also. West Michigan, Oceana, Lake, Newaygo, Mason Counties.

[bryan r]

Agree 100% with Sam. Watched a couple young spikers try to double team an older doe tonight. About a week and the big guys will start cruising.

That being said, I will be in the woods every chance I get from now until mid November.

[JCJ]

I have seen 3 bucks in the last two nights. Tonight a small 6 point was chasing a doe and grunting like a pig as it ran past my hunting partner. It is starting to rock & roll here in MN.

[D]

A buddy killed a buck the other day and I seen the picture and his neck was already swelling and he said his glands were starting to smell. Also found some scrapes so we are starting to get going down here too.  Thank Goodness

[doug77]

I saw an Iowa big boy stick his head out of the corn with just a little day light left tonight. It won't be long.

doug77

[newell38]

Couple scrapes and a few young bucks nose to the ground on a mission....that's about it up here.

[KSdan]

First estrous is always here around Oct 22-25. . . then 28 days later is the peak when most does come in.  It has been the same the past 20 years here as near as I can figure.  Nothing new.

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

Here in WV the peak of the chase of the  Rut is give or take 3 days from the 14th of November . 37 years setting in the woods has proven that . I have taken more deer on the 14th than any other day .I'm saving energy mentally for NOV 8th -NOV 19th .

Jack

[longbowben]

We are getting close to the woods exploding rubs and scrapes are everywhere but not seeing and day time activity on them.