is the rut almost over?

In my earlier post I saw to bucks together. the real big one w/a 6ptr. Now if the rut is on, what is the little one doing w/the big one? I've heard from a couple of people now seeing multiple sightings of bucks together. I think the rut started around the last week of Oct. I did notice that the big buck did not have a real big body, & I believe that JMbuckhunter posted a pic & mentioned that there was no fat on his buck. I believe that the rut only lasts a couple of weeks for hot-n-heavy rutting. do they return to bachelor groups afterward? what do you guys think?

 

I don't believe the rut Is over one bit. If anything It's full blown right now where I'm hunting. As for baching up afterwords, the big guys won't In my opinion.

 

it should be going good right now.
I think it will go right through rifle season.

 

I think in the area I have been hunting it is just getting into full swing. I was out all last weekend and they weren't moving nearly as much as I thought they would be.

 

Here in central IL there has been a little bit of chasing, but not a whole lot. I think the rut should be in full swing by the time shotgun season rolls around, which is unfortunate. I would have like to see the rut hitting this weekend so I could get a chance at a bruiser with my bow.

 

Still plenty of time left. They'll move a lot right after the lock down lull, looking for love. Next weekend should be hot again. I haven't seen any big bucks near my homestand but there have been a few deer there. I don't hold out much hope for the late season as the field (weeds/clover) was plowed under in preparatiion for planting alfalfa in the spring. I spoke to the farmer and he plants high grade alfalfa for the race track so next year should be awesome. I hope to get out to NW IL in Dec for a couple of sits and at this point I'll need a lot of luck to get anything near home.

 

Good luck Andy! Hopefully you will get some better winds in december when you go out west!!

 

I haven't seen any rut action. 7 does in a field and no bucks. Hasn't even started yet. IMO

 

I'd say so. At my place the scrapes have not been hit in the last few days where as six days ago they were active and I shot a buck at one. Now it seems as if they are only interested in food.

Good luck

 

No does=no rut.

Good job Wisconsin DNR, we should see about getting the head job in that organization changed to an elected position instead of appointed by the Governor.

 

I just got back from Illinois today and the boys are rocking down there, we saw alot of little 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 running does all over the fields and the big boys just standing there watching, kinda like they are not going to stand still for you little boys and when ready the big ones moved in!! Saw numerous times this past week. Walt

 

I dont even really see much chasing yet, a little but not much, I think its just getting here in WI.

 

i cant tell, have only seen a spike this yr tending to a scrape, so i guess something is happening...

 

I believ we're done with the main rut. My observations and that of a friend point to the peak having been 11/7-11/10. Now the bucks will hopefully be looking for the last does, no more all day sits! AM and PM only, close to bedding and routes to food sources. Man I wish the local farmer would finally take his corn down!

 

my friend has been hunting since last week in Black River Falls, & called today. he has seen not one deer. A couple of other guys have seen a total of 4 deer all week. Last yr in the middle of the rut, I seen at least 10 deer in just a couple of days there. Hopefully the guns this weekend will get them moving.