Actually had a 3 y/o 8 pointer chasing a family group of does and fawns all over for about an hour on Saturday. Really early for that.......not so sure it was a breeding thing because he was being really aggressive towards them, charging, etc......almost wondering if it was more of a territorial thing?
Just saw my first real scrapes of the season this past weekend. They weren't huge by any means, but they were definitely fresh within a couple days. I've started seeing a lot of fresh rubs pop up as well. It won't be long now.
Went out to hang stands Friday. Hung a stand over 4 small scrapes within about 10yds of each other. 2 of them had freshly snapped licking branches. Guessing it's a young buck. As we went to hang another stand came across this rub about 45 yds from my stand. Friend seen a tall, small spread 6pt(possibly 7 or 8), Saturday morning in this area. Not sure if it's the creator of all of them or not, it's on public land
This was the first card pull that didn't have does and fawns coming in together. For what that's worth.
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Seen a few scrapes, and more than a few rubs. The buck I shot last weekend had been rubbing already, bases were full of wood shavings.
I have been seeing scrapes and rubs for a couple of weeks now. Went out Saturday afternoon, and had 2 deer bust out of some thick cover into the CRP, first one was a doe, but couldn't tell what the other one was. It was difinetly chasing the first one tho.
I've seen tons of scrapes and rubs already and seen some younger buck chasing doe already. I also notice the buck are starting to break apart from their bachelor groups, so I think with in the next 2 weeks the rut will be on, which is early but that was predicted.
I agree, so that has the rut kicking in the last week of Oct and into Nov, that's when it ALWAYS is in my area. Every year. I wouldn't call that early though.
I actually think its already starting here in northern PA, I wouldn't be surprised if the doe start to split from this years fawn by next week.. the buck already have swollen necks and are scraping like crazy and have broken up their bachelor groups, seen mature buck chasing younger buck off already as well.. there are signs of the rut already starting, its just not in full swing yet, but I'm seeing more rut sign than I've ever seen this early in the season.. all day sits are in order.
Not sure I am ready for all day sits, but this weekend is looking good around here. Overnight temps in the low 30's and the new moon, it's definitely time to get in the woods.
Every year we hear stories of guys insisting the rut is starting in early/mid October and every year it happens pretty much the same time frame it always does . The week of Halloween through the first two weeks of November will be great weeks to catch big bucks on their feet. The "rutting moon" is 1 week earlier this year, not a month earlier .
