Estimating the rut’s end

Someone asked me today how much longer the rut would last. It's a good question, and the breeding period is moving from the chasing into the rutting phase.

Many deer researchers feel the main or primary rut will last 10-14 more days, and that seems about right. Much depends on weather, hunting pressure, available food supplies and other factors beyond the control of anyone.

Hunting pressure isn't heavy in my area, and there is an abundance of high-protein food. The weather is the major unknown factor that we must deal with from year to year. The three-day blow didn’t help anything although some bucks moved during the wind.

Hard wind storms or warm weather slow the rut.

Wind is the one major thing that can affect deer movements. A strong wind is troubling for deer under the best of circumstances, and during the rut it can limit their movement and breeding activity. The deer really began  chasing and breeding does about Oct. 23, and if researchers are correct, we may have until just before the firearm opener, although some carry-over rutting will be seen..

Unseasonably warm weather can slow the rut, and a combination of warm temperatures and strong winds are not a good omen. Cool temperature make deer move.

Two weeks ago we checked a scrape along one of our little trails, and a buck had pawed the dirt and kicked it around. It was the first time I'd seen that scrape, and it was freshly opened up each of the next three or four days, and then the buck stopped using it. Here’s why that happened.

Once bucks abandon an active scrape, it usually means the rut in full swing. Sure, a small buck may visit the scrape in hopes of lining up an unbred doe, but Big Boy knows where the estrus does are at all times.

Hunters who spend time in the woods have seen chasing-rutting bucks for about 10 days. I saw some big bucks in the distance tonight, and they were moving hard to keep up with the dwindling supply of unbred does.

The rut is better understood now than when I first began hunting, and I've studied bucks for many years. My land is about as wild as it can get, and we're starting to see a bit less activity each night. Many bucks (and does) are still holing up in standing corn fields, and why not. It provides good cover and great food. If there is a low spot with water, deer won’t leave the area.

Many corn fields remain uncut which accounts for a lack of buck signtings.

A buddy said last night he figures much of the breeding portion of the rut will wind done within 10-14 days. He is out in the field every day, and can accurately gauge rutting activity based on what he sees.

Of course, in 28 to 30 days, some of the younger does will come into estrus for the first time and will be bred. This second rut is a mere shadow of the first rut, but I've seen bucks breeding does in January and have had large bucks hold their antlers into March.

Nature has its way of regulating the rut, and the main purpose is to have most of the does bred in late October and early November so they will have their fawns once the spring's lush new growth appears. The newborn fawns will need plenty of food to eat.

On the flip side, does that are bred late in December or January have their fawns much later in the spring, and those little deer often don't get enough food  and may starve to death during their first winter.

Hunt hard the next two weeks were does and food is plentiful.

Hunters who hunt every night as I do will know when the primary rut is over. It's a widely speculated event, but it's over when it is over and there is no need for the fat lady to sing.

Until then, I'll be hunting every night for that one chance at a big buck. He's out there, and I've seen him, but hunting a trophy buck -- even during the rut -- is never easy. Success is a chancy thing.

Posted via email from Dave Richey Outdoors