How long until we see some of this??

[ColoradoV]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XdUZAvLtIc


It is from last year.. Bucks are showing up lower daily I have not seen much rut activity yet but last night saw a couple of big boys for the first time this year.

Will be interesting to see how the late seasons play out.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Typically here in SW Colorado the rut starts around Thanksgiving. This year IMHO 4th season has a chance to be one for the ages because it's a week later than normal..............maybe!

 

[packer58]

Headed for 62 in a couple days and it will interesting to see how the rut progresses during the hunt. From what iv'e seen the weather is going to remain mild so not much help there.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Headed for 62 in a couple days and it will interesting to see how the rut progresses during the hunt. From what iv'e seen the weather is going to remain mild so not much help there.

Same here with the weather. Been warm and dry. Got a few showers last Tuesday and none in the next 7 day forecast. Highs between 60 & 70 with lows down to 40.

 

[kidoggy]

time is now in idaho. perhaps a wee bit early yet but I have already seen bucks chasing does, so ,time is now.

 

[JimP]

It is always interesting to see what the bucks are doing in different areas of their range. The bucks in the Utah Book Cliffs have been in full rut for over a week now along with the ones down around Elk Ridge in south eastern Utah. While here in Eagle County Colorado they won't get started until about the middle part of November. I have also heard reports of rutting activity in Central Utah.

 

[boiler]

Anybody heard how it's looking around Gunnison? I'm headed out next week for 3rd season in 67.

 

[badgerbob]

About a week or two early for here. Most bucks stayed pretty low here this year. Kind of wondering how that will effect the rut. One of my favorite times of year. Hoping to get a few good ones on my camera..

 

[CoHiCntry]

I've got a 3rd season buck tag. This warm, dry weather has me a little nervous. Hoping for a cold snap or even better some snow! Doesn't look too promising though.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I've got a 3rd season buck tag. This warm, dry weather has me a little nervous. Hoping for a cold snap or even better some snow! Doesn't look too promising though.

I think it all depends on your unit. The further south you are, the later the rut.

 

[ColoradoV]

My wife has a 4th buck tag so we have our fingers crossed for some rut action. Has 3 days to hunt so we will give it a go. With the freezer pretty much full she decided that she will be holding off for a big buck or bust on this trip.

Conditions in most of the Gunny basin are dry, hot, with a good bit of wind. 51 deg at my house here at 8500' right now. Been a warm dry fall so far and I have not seen any rut activity to speak of yet. Some big bucks have moved down but with as warm as it is they are out of sight soon after the sun comes up and are still hanging out in bachelor groups when I have seen them the past few days.

 

[badgerbob]

A wildlife biologist informed me that the actual rut was triggered by a gland in the eye. When the right portions of daylight and dark are present, it produces a hormone which in turn causes the rut to begin. However, Rut activity is affected by such things as temp. condition of the animals, presence or lack of water, etc. Last year during the fire season, we had pre rut activity in mid Aug. for elk, because of the smokey conditions changing the sunlight amounts at dawn and dusk. The biologist called this a false rut and when the smoke cleared it would cease. He was right, it did. So from that I have concluded that the rut begins and ends pretty much the same each year. The actual activity will be different depending on all of the other factors. BB

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

A wildlife biologist informed me that the actual rut was triggered by a gland in the eye. When the right portions of daylight and dark are present, it produces a hormone which in turn causes the rut to begin. However, Rut activity is affected by such things as temp. condition of the animals, presence or lack of water, etc. Last year during the fire season, we had pre rut activity in mid Aug. for elk, because of the smokey conditions changing the sunlight amounts at dawn and dusk. The biologist called this a false rut and when the smoke cleared it would cease. He was right, it did. So from that I have concluded that the rut begins and ends pretty much the same each year. The actual activity will be different depending on all of the other factors. BB

If this is the case then northern areas should start first as daylight hours start to decrease there first, then precede south.

 

[brianboh]

If this is the case then northern areas should start first as daylight hours start to decrease there first, then precede south.

He is correct about his statement. Also, the rut is activated when the deer shed their velvet. This is when their brain starts producing chemicals that will want them to breed a doe. As in regards to deer in different parts of the country with daylight decreasing the farther north you go. Not all deer are the same. There are a lot of different deer genius and species with lots of different varieties. Deer in FL will rut in the summer and have fawns in Jan. Deer in texas rut in December, Deer in the Midwest and south rut in November, Deer will rut the same time every year excluding the false rut that was mentioned. Temperature will not effect the deer going into rut they will rut if it was 100 in WY. However the moon and temps can effect their movement. If it is hot and or full moon a lot of activity will be going on at night while we are in the bed.

 

[badgerbob]

If this is the case then northern areas should start first as daylight hours start to decrease there first, then precede south.

If all other things were equal, I think this would be exactly the case. Factor in elevation, climate, range conditions, etc. and you will get differences base on them. I think of it as the amount of light reaching the gland engages the ability to rut, the other factors are what govern the actual breeding of the animals. These factors also are what lead us to believe that from one year to another the rut is early or late. And I do believe that temp and moon phase play a roll and will cause them to rut at night.