Has anyone else seen any signs of the rut? I sat tonight and when i came out of the woods into a grassy area between two corn fields there was two nice bucks fighting with another buck standing there kinda watching them. I think there was even more deer there but it was hard too see because it was almost dark. That was the first time I have ever seen that and thought it was really cool to see and hear.
This weekend should be a good time to be in the stand! 
The week of the 20th of september I saw an awsome buck fight in Alberta and 2 days after getting home we rolled 30 minutes footage of a smaller buck dogging a doe every where, he woulnd let her stop for a minute, rippin up my food plot 
Got 3 cams on comunity scape sites but they arent seeing much activity yet and havent seen much for pop up scrapes yet but 3 weeks from now will be a different ball game. Awsome watching those guys throw each other around 
Glad to hear about your buck fight encounter Cody26.
To answer your question, I don’t think there’s much if any Rut activity going on yet. When I mean rut, I’m talking about bucks chasing and tending does. Bucks right now are getting their pecking order figured out and proving their dominance towards one another. Some bucks will get driven out of core areas and will have to seek other sanctuaries. It’s all about getting into position for the rut so when the first hot doe comes into estrus, the dominant buck will have the best chance to breed her. I’ve seen numerous buck fights over the last 3 weeks.
One fight had 3 bucks going at it. 
Also, here’s a trail cam picture of a couple of bucks sparring with one another that was captured on 9/20/09. After they shed their velvet, bucks will spar and eventually fight with one another at any time over the next 3 months.
I have quite a few pics of bucks sparring this year. I have also seen a buck actually the split brow I arrowed dog a doe across a field. Depends on the ladies I thinks the men are always ready…
no i don’t think the rut is started yet either. this is one of my favorite times to rattle lightly, love seeing bucks come in or hear them snort… fights are cool, I have seen 2 and heard many. congrats on seeing a spar!
For me a rule of thumb is if the fawns are with momma, momma ain’t ready to be bred yet.
Hey Guys,
I don’t think the rut has evan started yet. All your seeing is bucks sparring with each other. It’s kind of like
a boxer training for his next fight and trying to get in shape for when the game does start.
I just had a friend stop by with a good buck he shot tonight and he looked like he was starting to feel it
I saw 19 does in 6 hours and not one buck. This is in the field were the bucks push does around all day during the rut.So i’m going to say not quite yet but i’m seeing alot more scrapes. ITS COMING!!!!!!!!!
I would say it will be 3 weeks befor they start much here in Iowa
I think the same, they are rubbing smaller trees now instead of just saplings, seen that today. I seen an 8 pointer following a few does yesterday about 4 in the afternoon. The bucks are ready and interested but it will be a few weeks before the does start to produce the pheromones that the bucks really look for.
I rattled a huge buck in tonight. The biggest deer i have every seen. I had him broadside at 15 yards.. behind a tree. I pulled my bow back and all it would of taken is one more step and the arrow would of been flying. BUT it turned straight away from me and walked away. I just never had a good shot and didnt want to make a bad shot on him.
HE IS STILL OUT THERE!
Something that big bucks do is repeat their habits, their good for that. Try not to make any mistakes in that area and look for him again, dollar for dollar he will back close to that same area or trail. If there’s quite a few does around he will be there too. Good luck.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
