I had photos on trail cam of a buck showing up where a doe had just zipped through. Last night I had a young buck following 3 yearlings across my pond dam. This morning, my neighbor dropped a buck chasing 2 does and I saw 3 bucks walk across a bean field behind a group of does. I would say that the cooler weather has kicked some of these into the chase.
I haven't "seen" anything this year yet after six sits. Although friday night i could here a doe estrus bleat, followed 10 mins. later with some tending grunts about 40 yards from my stand. They were in some thick cover and there was only 20 mins of light left so i never seen them. Starting to get more interesting. good luck.
I do believe the 30 degree nights has something to do with it. However, I am no expert and cannot determine what factors definately have an effect on what is going on. Shoot, if I could do that, I'd only have to be in the stand one day per year to tag out! lol
Precisely. I think a lot of guys get "chasing" and actual chasing confused. Hey, you can't make the rut come any earlier.
I watched a 1.5 4 pointer chasing a doe last night. She didn't want anything to do with him though, I dont' think the does in my neck of the woods are anywhere close to going into heat. I'd expect with this warmer weather coming in, to see movement shut down over the next week or two before the big boys come out.
Hell my huge buck was with 2 other smaller bucks. And they tolerated each other. There is no indication of estrous does. Like I've mentioned too many times and Dan touched on this. There is a huge difference in the chase phase (chasing) and bucks just dogging does because they are filled with testosterone. We know the bucks are ready. The does are not. (at least in my neck of the woods.) And as mentioned before. Watch the does tarsal glands. When they are nearing estrous, their tarsals will blacken and once bred, they will lick them clean again.
Interesting Jeff. I'd like to know the reason for that. All my does I've seen thus far are clean. I wish you would have gotten a picture of that.
I had a giant 10 pointer tonight come by chasing a doe and 2 yearling does. He was definantly after that old doe.