The Peak of the Rut.

[Shootemandmountem]

12 hours ago, tcook8296 said:

Just saw a buck breeding a doe in a field on my way to work. Z14

Last night coming off route 1 onto 287 I saw a spike mounting a doe

[tpr1921]

Only had a Doe and Fawn come in tonight.

[Redman]

11 hours ago, Costam07 said:

In certain areas its definitely on right nor was in hunterdon county Saturday and bucks where chasing everywhere as well as my buddy saw a decent 8 breeding a doe... 

Yet have camera denville and its completely opposite, just starting in that area in my opinion or from what I've seen.

Have to agree Costam07, have three cameras in zone 6 and one camera in zone 8.  Sitting either evening or morning depending on what the photos and wind say and I'm not seeing a bunch of activity yet. The number of scrapes jumped dramatically the past week but that's about it.

[B B]

This site proves every year that the phases of the rut up north are always weeks before down south.  All I know is on Oct 19, I shoulda been in my stand at home instead of chasing a stupid bear in PA.  Happens every year 

[Russ 11]

This is a still from some tactacam footage I took last Thursday . No does just the 4 bucks . They were not buddies but still together .  Note :  no deer were hurt in this picture . Lol

[megavites]

tonight was dead. Had some young does and a fork on cam at 3:15 earlier.

[JHbowhunter]

get off the bait and get into THICK AND NASTY - bait sites will produce tail and of rut but based on all I have been seeing from cameras and from stand - the bigger bucks are NOT going to food anymore it's all about finding the right doe.  Once you seeing your food-centric sites (bait or natural) are slowing down at THIS TIME OF YEAR, get into the heavy cover the does are hiding and the bucks are seeking... It's that simple.  This year is best classic rut action at the right time I have seen in many years. To me this "rut" is acting like what a rut should be.   (declaring it's no longer pre-rut, it's on)

Edited October 29, 2019 by JHbowhunter

[Tbryant]

See if this video works but I’ve had 2 bucks chasing like crazy for the last 2 hours. You can hear him grunting. Pretty cool to hear. 

[Nomad]

Next few days is a good time to get some things done around the house and rest up for next week.  Temps are going to be ideal next week at just the right time.

[LPJR]

Get in the woods whenever time allows....NOW. 

It is the time the bucks and us have waited for all year. The woods are on fire. 

[Rusty]

7 hours ago, Tbryant said:

See if this video works but I’ve had 2 bucks chasing like crazy for the last 2 hours. You can hear him grunting. Pretty cool to hear. 

IMG_5438.MOV

Very cool!!  

[mightyhunter]

Just pulled an SD card yesterday and buck activity dropped way off from last week. Last week I had 7 different bucks on cam at one sight during the day

My guess is the bigger bucks are locked down with doe and I'm hoping they will return after the deed is done lol

Edited October 29, 2019 by mightyhunter

[Mountain Goat]

9 hours ago, B B said:

This site proves every year that the phases of the rut up north are always weeks before down south.  All I know is on Oct 19, I shoulda been in my stand at home instead of chasing a stupid bear in PA.  Happens every year 

[Rusty]

1 hour ago, mightyhunter said:

Just pulled an SD card yesterday and buck activity dropped way off from last week. Last week I had 7 different bucks on cam at one sight during the day.

My guess is the bigger bucks are locked down with doe and I'm hoping they will return after the deed is done lol

Is your camera set up over corn or some other bait/food?  If so, it doesn't necessarily mean that buck activity has slowed.  It could be that they are busy looking for a date to the prom and less interested in food.  Bucks run themselves ragged during the rut and lose a lot of weight.  

 

Edited October 29, 2019 by Rusty

[mightyhunter]

2 minutes ago, Rusty said:

Is your camera set up over corn or some other bait/food?  If so, it doesn't necessarily mean that buck activity has slowed.  It could be that they are busy looking for a date to the prom and less interested in food at the time.  Bucks run themselves ragged during the rut and lose a lot of weight.  

Yes I have bait down and have does coming to it

Last week does and bucks would come morning, noon and night. Last 3-4 days not so much