Predictions on the Rut

[Tarhunt]

9 minutes ago, Live to Hunt said:

My biggest buck fell on Halloween 🎃 

Zone 5?

[230jhp]

10 hours ago, hunterbob1 said:

Mischief Night.

You mean goosey night. At least that's what it's called in Passaic county

[hammer4reel]

count the weeks back from when the first fawns are seen  and you will see our breeding cycle has changed some.

Used to be prime around election day.

Last few years IMO the last week of October has been the hot time.

and the sightings of fawns show that also..

 

 

 

[thefirstndsecond]

[Gobblengrunt]

I guess it matters on what phase of the rut you consider best to hunt.  There is pros and cons to all phases.  Ive traditionally done best the last week of october for buck sightings and have killed most of my biggest mature “rut” bucks the 3rd week of november.  The actual rut is too hit or miss for my style of hunting 

[MPSR]

Bucks are getting killed all over the roads already.. rub lines starting as well 

[Deadeye]

My largest buck fell on Nov 1st. Came out of a thicket and refreshed a scrape I had added Tinks 69 to.

[Eyesofthewoods]

First week of November I’ve found to always be a good week to take a long 3 day weekend and sit all day.  Pack warm and snacks.  I’ve had bucks run through that I had to yell at and they still didn’t stop cause they were chasing so hard.  Personally I like to get into a swampy or covered area at that time cause I’ve noticed the does are trying to take refuge.  Not uncommon to see deer at 11am though either that’s why an all day sit is crucial.

[nmc02]

I like Nov 3-7 

[Lphunsjr]

8 hours ago, MPSR said:

Bucks are getting killed all over the roads already.. rub lines starting as well 

Saw a few on the Parkway on my ride in this morning 

[archer36]

I've seen rut activity in October and into December. There is no "time". It's just a good talking point every year. Get in the woods as much as possible from late October to early December and good things will happen. 

[toxo]

The WING has spoken on the (other) site!

[BHC]

 

[hemlock]

...

[stratocaster]

Bucks are already chasing does.  I saw a buck in Monmouth county lip curling and chasing a doe today.