2009 Rut Report

by **AdamFisk** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:29 pm

Awful quiet in here the last few days...... We might as well start a rut report thread so we can be as cool as the snow goose hunters....... What have you been seeing? Any luck with calls and scents?

Most of the bucks in my area are still nocturnal. They're, of course, hiding in the standing corn until she's dark out. Then coming out and doing their thing; scraping, rubbing, ect. I did see a decent sized buck dogging a doe pretty hard last night in the headlights on the way in from the stand. That is about the only thing I've seen as far as pre-rut activity goes.

by **Chuck Smith** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:37 pm

Well in my neck of the woods....MN. Last saturday night I was in stand put out a couple trophy leafs..... Had a small six come charging right to one of them.

Checked one of my cam's on monday night.....about 4 different bucks on it...mostly nocturnal. But it is located on one of my Scrape drippers....and they were checking it out everytime. Just need them to come during the light.....so hopefully this weekend.

But monday night on stand had a doe go right to that scrape as well. So i think this weekend will be very interesting.....and hopefully succesfull.

A few pics....

by **bearhunter** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 2:34 pm

be in your tree on friday. even if it's raining. . :wink:

by **huntingtim08** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 2:47 pm

Was in the stand last weekend and grunted a small 120 class buck in from about 200 yards. Than right before dark grunted a shooter buck in but just woulnd't get close enough for a shot. So as far as im concerned the calls are workin in my area. Gonna try get out again here this wkd and try some scents maybe.

by **buckmaster** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:37 am

A lot of scraping and rubbing last weekend and this week, but no chasing yet. Calls are working well. on saturday nite heard 6 different fights in the soybeans 150 yards from my stand.

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:21 pm

Seeing a lot of sign showing up... Went out on saturday, windy, and just saw a doe and fawn. Very skiddish. I'm on leave until the tenth so Ill be hunting hard. Going out tomorrow morn and going to check all the corn around and set up on it most likely. Ill keep this updated as to what I'm seeing. If I don't tag one this time off, Ill be disappointed. Or at least see one on his feet... I'm not holding off for anything huge though. There are legit 120-140 shooters in the area and any one of them will do. One 9 I was going to pass earlier if I saw him will do too. Only probably 110 or so, but he's at least 6.5, so he'll get stuck if I see him.

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:30 pm

Went out this morning, did some calling. Nothing... Saw a doe and fawn on my way out. Sign looks good. Found a viscous rub right in front of where I'm set up. Def a nice deer that made it. branches broken, so its something that obviously hooks around and very high to boot. Couple scrapes right in the area too. Its only a matter of time...

by **szm69** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:39 pm

Rubs and scrapes all over, I have been putting a little sent on one of the branches by my stand and a buck (or bucks) came and made 2 scrapes right under it.

Bucks where roaming around tonight. Saw a couple just out wandering, one trashing trees, and one buck following a doe, not too interested though.

by **AdamFisk** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:38 pm

I didn't see a buck last night. Tried some calling and nothing showed....

I was in the stand by 3 this afternoon. I started calling around 4:30, really agressive calling, about every 20 minutes. Called in 4 bucks tonight. 3 surprised me but I was able to watch one come in from about a half mile out. That was pretty cool.....Still not seeing any shooters yet though.

by **hunt4P&Y** » Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:50 pm

I think the deer were hungover today from eating all night! Not many moving today!

by **bigbrad123** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:09 pm

I hunt in SE ND along the wild rice river. Unfortunately the small area I hunt is starting to get covered with flooding, so I think the patterns have completely changed. I had a nice trail through a small ravine that I was putting scent by, but it appears the trail hasn't been used for awhile with the water. I made my way around the water and checked another area known for rubs and didn't see anything. I have only seen one fresh scrape in the field edge last weekend, but I went out yesterday and it didn't look like the deer have been there since (I'm assuming due to the higher water). I walked another field edge and didn't see any rubs or scrapes, but saw noticeable buck tracks in the field. I put down some buck and doe scent, so hopefully things kick into gear. I'm guessing I just came upon bad luck with the flooding and my area might be slow until the water goes down and/or rifle season pushes them through. Not sure I will be able to hunt this week before rifle season, however, I might just have to be "sick" on Wednesday

by **spanky27** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:17 pm

I'm not seeing hardly any rut activity. I've seen multiple does walking un-harassed the last couple days. Sat in the stand 11.5 hours, saw just as many coyotes as deer. What gives, the deer must not have gotten the memo that they are suppose to be going into rut. I'm on a two week hunt, I've got a week left, with only 3 1/2 days left before the lead starts flying.

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:27 pm

Hunted all day, didn't see a deer. Except for the one on the other hill when I was walking to my spot. I did do some scouting and hung a stand in what looks like a sure home run, so I'm pretty pumped. But disappointed I didn't see a deer tonight. I did do a lot of cutting today and stomping around trying to figure the right tree, hard choice only had two! But I just really wanted to get a feel for it. Small patch of woods in the middle of a corn field. Tons of tracks and rut sign. Hung my camera over a monster scrape and relieved myself in it before I left! Think I'm skippin tomorrow. Wind isn't where I think it should be. Saying the same thing for wed but slightly slower and just a nicer day. So maybe the wind will shift. I think an east wind would be best, but who knows... They could technically come from just about anywhere so i suppose its a crap shoot. I really think this spot is going to produce. Very excited after all the sign I found today... Hopefully my next post in here is one w/ a picture!

by **wingscupped2244** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:48 pm

Rut is getting going. Sat in my stand near bedding area where a rub line leads directly to it. Does that came through had 2 bucks on their tails. called in the 9 pt and missed! going back to the stand tomorrow morning with my buck decoy and hopefully he'll be there and ready. Im confident he'll be there since the does werent present for the miss and he had no clue what happened (and didnt smell or see me).

by **Colt** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:28 pm

Deer movement has been minimal for me where I hunt.

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:09 pm

Sat all day again, nothing. This is getting to me. If it happens again tomorrow, I'm doing Friday morning and def sitting out the weekend w/ all the rifle hunters afield. Probably give it one more shot monday before I head back to work tuesday. Not the way I pictured my leave going. Or my first season in Nodak. This sucks. Not stinks, but sucks... Horribly. Worst season i've ever had by far, in my life. One deer w/in shooting distance in 2 months, and that was a doe at 40 yards. This is ridiculous... :eyeroll:

Did get a picture of this guy. I only had one pic of him in velvet and wondered how much mass he really had. I think this answers my question

Now if I could just get him to show up during the daylight...

by **bretts** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:15 pm

ImpalaSSpeed96 wrote:Sat all day again, nothing. This is getting to me. If it happens again tomorrow, I'm doing Friday morning and def sitting out the weekend w/ all the rifle hunters afield. Probably give it one more shot monday before I head back to work tuesday. Not the way I pictured my leave going. Or my first season in Nodak. This sucks. Not stinks, but sucks... Horribly. Worst season i've ever had by far, in my life. One deer w/in shooting distance in 2 months, and that was a doe at 40 yards. This is ridiculous...

Did get a picture of this guy. I only had one pic of him in velvet and wondered how much mass he really had. I think this answers my question Now if I could just get him to show up during the daylight...

--Not to take jabs at you but you must not be scouting the right areas. 1 deer within shooting distance in 2 months?! There are better spots, there is a pile of state land that has a lot more opportunity than that. I'd look at your game plan--

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:20 pm

I definitely confined myself to this spot because of all the shooters I saw. I know for sure that was my downfall. But I'm still at a loss as to how I haven't at least seen one of these deer on their feet. I know the surrounding corn has something to do w/ it, but I've been in it for two full sits now and still nothing. Now is when I'm really lost... And I know how to hunt. I've shot mature deer in NJ, where mature deer are 1 out of 100... I'm just going to keep putting my time in. I know they are looking. Its only a matter of time before one comes strolling by at 12pm. :beer:

by **AdamFisk** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:43 pm

You are not alone Impalla. I took this week off and have been putting in a lot of hours. And you know what, I've been seeing less and less deer. Looking back at what I've done this week compared to the rest of the season, I beleive I'm over hunting my spot and being to agressive, and it's costing me. I'm sitting everday mornings and most of the afternoons, calling, using scents, ect. I think the deer are behind schedule as far as the rut goes and I'm being to agessive, and they are figuring that out. They are figuring me out.

I also have a lot of standing corn to deal with. But up until this week, I could have shot a doe almost every night in the stand. Since Sunday I haven't had a deer in range. Like you, I have confined my self to a small area. I know there are good deer there. It's only a matter of time before they show.

by **bretts** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:46 pm

ImpalaSSpeed96 wrote:I definitely confined myself to this spot because of all the shooters I saw. I know for sure that was my downfall. But I'm still at a loss as to how I haven't at least seen one of these deer on their feet. I know the surrounding corn has something to do w/ it, but I've been in it for two full sits now and still nothing. Now is when I'm really lost... And I know how to hunt. I've shot mature deer in NJ, where mature deer are 1 out of 100... I'm just going to keep putting my time in. I know they are looking. Its only a matter of time before one comes strolling by at 12pm.

--yes but your forgetting about something.....over-hunting a spot. Those mature deer get a good whif of you or feel something is right, they are gone & going nocternal. You need a variety of spots.

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:49 pm

My buddy is in Ohio right now. They didn't see a deer for two days. Then today a shooter comes pushing a doe by him. He didn't get a shot, but just like that it happens. I just need to be there when it does. I don't have many does out there though, which would make me think they would really be on their feet. But maybe they just aren't there because of it. I did have a pic of one doe on that scrape which was promising. All it takes is one hot doe to make the place explode...

Getting to bed soon. Hopefully my phils can pull off a miracle and I can have a good day tomorrow regardless of what I see...

by **bretts** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:50 pm

Also hunt the does. Come rut I don't care what i've seen, I'm hunting spots where I have a pile of does, if your hunting spots because of scrapes/rubs your wasting your time. These deer are very unpredictable right now, they'll make a scrape and not visit it ever again, but they will always be where the females are.

by **barebackjack** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:51 pm

ImpalaSSpeed96 wrote: I'm doing Friday morning and def sitting out the weekend w/ all the rifle hunters afield.

I recommend against this.

Those rifle hunters, although highly annoying and a bane on my existence :lol:

really get the deer riled up.

I sit all day, every day during opening weekend. Especially if you can get into an out of the way patch of heavy cover. I mean, they're rifle hunters, they only last opening weekend. After that they just drive around and b#tch about all the standing corn.

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:54 pm

bretts wrote:
ImpalaSSpeed96 wrote:I definitely confined myself to this spot because of all the shooters I saw. I know for sure that was my downfall. But I'm still at a loss as to how I haven't at least seen one of these deer on their feet. I know the surrounding corn has something to do w/ it, but I've been in it for two full sits now and still nothing. Now is when I'm really lost... And I know how to hunt. I've shot mature deer in NJ, where mature deer are 1 out of 100... I'm just going to keep putting my time in. I know they are looking. Its only a matter of time before one comes strolling by at 12pm.

--yes but your forgetting about something.....over-hunting a spot. Those mature deer get a good whif of you or feel something is right, they are gone & going nocternal. You need a variety of spots.

I haven't been hunting the same spot. Like I said, I know how to kill a mature deer. I just scouted this spot out across from where I had been hunting and its loaded w/ sign. Wind hasn't been bad, not ideal, but not really bad. They would have to be w/in shooting distance for them to pick me off. Which makes me wonder WTH is going on. All year its been nothing but nightime pictures. And as far as over hunting a spot, this is the time of year when i don't really concern myself with it. I'm not in their bedroom so I'm just waiting to catch one cruising. And there is more than one I'd shoot out there. Its just damn luck that I don't have...

by **AdamFisk** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:59 pm

barebackjack wrote:
ImpalaSSpeed96 wrote: I'm doing Friday morning and def sitting out the weekend w/ all the rifle hunters afield.

I recommend against this.

Those rifle hunters, although highly annoying and a bane on my existence really get the deer riled up.

I sit all day, every day during opening weekend. Especially if you can get into an out of the way patch of heavy cover. I mean, they're rifle hunters, they only last opening weekend. After that they just drive around and b#tch about all the standing corn.

Much like your hate for waterfowlers, your hate for gun hunters also makes for some good laughs..... :beer:

by **bretts** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:19 pm

ImpalaSSpeed96 wrote:
bretts wrote:
ImpalaSSpeed96 wrote:I definitely confined myself to this spot because of all the shooters I saw. I know for sure that was my downfall. But I'm still at a loss as to how I haven't at least seen one of these deer on their feet. I know the surrounding corn has something to do w/ it, but I've been in it for two full sits now and still nothing. Now is when I'm really lost... And I know how to hunt. I've shot mature deer in NJ, where mature deer are 1 out of 100... I'm just going to keep putting my time in. I know they are looking. Its only a matter of time before one comes strolling by at 12pm.

--yes but your forgetting about something.....over-hunting a spot. Those mature deer get a good whif of you or feel something is right, they are gone & going nocternal. You need a variety of spots.

I haven't been hunting the same spot. Like I said, I know how to kill a mature deer. I just scouted this spot out across from where I had been hunting and its loaded w/ sign. Wind hasn't been bad, not ideal, but not really bad. They would have to be w/in shooting distance for them to pick me off. Which makes me wonder WTH is going on. All year its been nothing but nightime pictures. And as far as over hunting a spot, this is the time of year when i don't really concern myself with it. I'm not in their bedroom so I'm just waiting to catch one cruising. And there is more than one I'd shoot out there. Its just damn luck that I don't have...

--Impala, plain and simple you are doing something wrong. You don't hunt two months straight and have 1 deer come in shooting range. A doe. This spot is not producing why sit and wait and wait for it to produce. I throw up a set, sit it 4 times maybe 5, If i don't have a mature deer come by or visually have one very close, it's time to move. Right now you WANT to be in their bedroom. Go in early in the morning in the dark, sit all day. It's time to get aggresive, but don't ruin your time in the woods in a hopeless spot.

by **bontop2** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:14 am

Brett's is right. This time of the year I have a few stand sets hung so I can sneek way into the woods into the bedrooms and it works. Last sunday I snuck into one of these and was only in for 45 mins crashed the horns and rattled in a good buck. Every year on halloween weekend I start hitting these spots and at that time I am rattling and then within short periods of time after I can sit these all day and watch bucks chasing. It's time to be aggressive..

by **bigbrad123** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:04 am

I'm in the same position as Impala (have had deer in my spots all year, but not seeing them now). Unfortunately the area I hunt is fairly small, so I don't have a lot of options, however, it is right along the river. I have a stand on the north side of the property, and also have sat in a ground blind on the south side (probably 1/2 mile from my stand on the north side). I sat on the north side of the property last night and didn't see a single deer. I sat in the same spot 3 weeks ago and saw 4 does and one small buck right under my stand. 2 weeks ago, I sat on the south side of the property and didn't see a single deer either (lots of evidence they come there though). I don't feel like I over-hunt because I can only get out one day a week or so. I have been using scent and also rattling and calling starting a couple weeks ago. Nothing. I've had a trail camera in the area all year and have had deer coming in a lot. I think 3 things are happening: one, the river is up, so deer aren't crossing like they used to early in the year (I saw signs of crossing often earlier this year), two: there is standing corn close to the property, so they are bedding in that and aren't coming out to my "spots" until later in the evening, and I also think the rut hasn't quite kicked in yet, because I haven't seen a lot of signs of it (no rubs, scrapes, etc). I think once the river goes down, the crops come off (hopefully), and the rifle season is done (nobody rifle hunts the property I am on), things will start to improve drastically. At this point, I don't have the option to move around a lot, so my only option is to wait it out and hope things improve in the next few weeks with the change of weather, pressure, and food plots.

by **shooteminthelips** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:22 pm

You arent seeing deer in your spots because they are used to you going in and hunting the same spots. Geese are the same way. If you go in and bang field or a slough a few days in a row your secess will go down each time after that. You need to have a 10 spot or so roation so your dont burn game out. If you arent seeing deer find a spot with less pressure and I promise you will start to see them again.

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:37 pm

I appreciate the tips, and can understand where you guys are coming from. Unfortunately, I am not overhunting the spots. I hunt once a week, not even that. I have had about 15 sits in 2 months, different spots hunted based on wind direction. This new spot has been sat three times. Once at night, a full day, and then this morning. But I did find out why I am not having deer move by. They are simply not there, as i assumed. They are dead west of me, up in some scrub and standing trees. They have cow paths worn through the fields where they are coming out and feeding in teh corn and soybean. The only hope I have is luck. Its clear that is all night time activity. Seeing the same lone doe and doe and fawn. I need some does to come into heat. Gotta get something to hold these bucks to the other side of the road...

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:47 pm

Well, my buddy invited me out to hunt w/ him tonight and I said why not... We get out there and see two rifle hunters walking the coolie. great... Not 30 minutes after I'm up, another rifle hunter comes walking throuhg. Could this get any worse... 530 I'm countin down the minutes until I can get out. 5 minutes later, a deer. Then rack! I'm like no way! I grunt at him, nothin. Grab my bleat can and do a chase scene. He turns and starts heading right into me. The the other buck that my buddy saw that morning with him, yes he seen them both in the morning, comes running out. They hung up about 40 out for 5 minutes or so. It was just abotu legal light at that point. The smaller buck came out first around 30, then the other one. Light was still there, but probably not legal. I choked... I think I pulled the bow. No excuse, no regrets... It was nice to see a deer finally, and then a shooter at that. Probably a solid 120 class 8. Beautiful deer... I'm just happy to have finally got a shot at a nice buck after this year... Back at it on monday. Football sunday tomorrow...

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:26 am

Bumping it back up top. Anyone noticing any does acting weirdly? I would have went out this morning, but the wind was completely wrong, or should I say after not seeing any deer, I wasn't hunting it again at my main spot. And since I have no access to a quad, I have no way or getting a deer out of my buddies spot since he's working so I shut the alarm off and got some needed sleep for my night shift. Its got to be happening though. This upcoming week has got to be it. I've never seen such little rut action this late in the month before. What I'm really disappointed in is not having rattled a buck in yet this year. I'm contributing most of it to just not having the deer around to respong though. I really hope he got the corn down this week like he said he was planning on....

by **HUNTNFISHND** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:41 am

With the temps we've been having there is going to be little to no breeding activity during daylight hours. It's just way too warm for our northern deer to be very active. They have alot of fat and hair on em and get hot easily.

That doesn't mean they are not heavy into the rut right now. You will just have to concentrate on early mornings and late evenings. Hopefully you will catch a buck on the trail of a hot doe.

Now is also the lockdown time of the rut. Bucks will lock onto a doe that is either in estrus or getting close and will not leave her until she is bred. I've glassed many bucks that were bedded in the open with a doe or two.

The time for calling is over until the post rut period, typically after thanksgiving. Bucks will then search for the late does and on into december when the does that were not bred come into estrus again.

by **barebackjack** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:56 am

Lock down!

:cry:

by **dogdonthunt** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:29 am

I saw that yesterday while driving along hiway 2 outside of egf.... about 200 yrds a huge buck was out laying down with a doe about 20 ft from him in a black dirt field that was just tilled up this week.... I had my camera but was driving about 60 mph and didnt have time to stop..... or there would be some pix posted up for you all to see

by **greatwhitehunter3** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:45 pm

Was sitting in the stand tonight and about 10 mintues after getting settled in I did some rattling. About 20 minutes later I had a 6 pointer 30 yards out walking broadside in the first row of corn. Once he got past the embankment of the small creek he stepped out to the outside edge of the field. I gave him a few soft grunts and all he did was look. He'd stare for about 2 mintues and then keep walking. Finally I figured might as well give rattling a try again. At this point he was about 60 yards northwest of me walking away. As soon as I hit those antlers together, he turned his body and came trotting towards me. Across the creek up the trail in front of my stand and about 15 feet from the base of my tree. Not satisfied with the size of the rack I let him walk by. About 15 mintues later I did another set of rattling and he came barreling back into range. I guess the moral of all this rambling is that I am seeing rattling working perfectly right now whereas grunting did nothing to help me! Sorry for the long (pointless) story! Good luck to everyone!

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:04 am

Yea I agree... This is usually when i've noticed lock down start happening. I can't believe this weather is to warm for daytime activity to be going on. Where I'm from, you pray for weather like we've had. I mean it has been a little warm somedays, but I hunted a lot of days where it didn't get out of the 40s. I guess these northern deer to gain different wintering attributes than what I'm used to.

Well, Ill still be at it this week when i can. Never know when that buck might come off a doe and head in search of another.

by **wit** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:21 am

Last night didnt see a deer, my bad luck i guess.

Thursday night had a nice 8 point come out on a doe and she was non receptive so he came right to me on the estrous trail i laid went around down wind of me and came back and hit the branches a couple times and went back into the corn.

About 20 minutes later had a basket 10 point come from about 400 yards away chasing a doe the whole way. He left her out in the wheat field and went back into the corn as well. I assume she was non receptive.

Saw the big boy in the middle of the section, beans, he was chasing a doe out there last weekend early. I rattled and i glassed and he was gone, but not headed toward me i guess.

Oh well, gotta keep at it.
See a lot of movement in the headlights driving back home though.
Wit

by **greatwhitehunter3** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 10:05 pm

More action tonight. Was in the tractor ripping and watched a nice 8 chase 3 does around for just under 45 mintues. At one point he chased a doe 20 feet in front of the tractor. Sure was fun to watch!

by **ImpalaSSpeed96** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 10:48 pm

Well I'm goin out tomorrow for an all day sit. Wish i had a millennium to sit in and not that crap gorilla hang on... Never know though. I really think the rut might be late this year and just heating up. I know the lockdown is going to happen very soon if it hasn't already. Plus w/ it being the weekend, i never know what someone might push through the coolie past me. I better get to bed...