T.R.'s Tips; Understanding the Whitetail Rut

[TRMichels]

This is from my book The Complete Whitetail Addict's Manual

The Rut

Most deer hunters know that whitetails act differently during the rut than they do at any other time of the year. After spending time with and talking to a number of different whitetail hunters, most of them experienced and some of them quite knowledgeable, I realized many of them did not understand the progression of the rut, or the time frame of the rut. Most of them knew that in the upper Midwest rubbing usually begins in September, scraping in mid-October, and that the “peak of the rut” occurs during the second week of November. But there seemed to be a difference of opinion about what the “peak of the rut” meant. To some it meant the time when they most often saw bucks during the day, usually the two weeks before the breeding phase. Others thought the peak of the rut meant peak breeding activity, which it does. Some thought all the breeding activity occurred during the week of the peak of the rut, and resigned themselves to the belief that once the peak of the rut was over no more breeding would occur. If they did not get a buck by the peak of the rut they believed there was no reason to hunt as hard, because there was less activity.

Rubbing, Scraping and Breeding Peaks

Rubbing, scraping and breeding all have their own time frames (which overlap each other), and their own peaks during the rut. Rut related activity in northern areas usually starts when bucks begin rubbing small trees and brush to remove velvet from their antlers and making scrapes. This may occur as early as late August or early September in area above the 38th parallel. Rubbing may peak in mid-September and generally diminishes throughout the rut, but it may rise again during later breeding phases. Scraping activity may begin as early as the first week of September, but without much activity until mid to late October. Breeding may begin in mid-October, and breeding begins to increase as scraping increases in late October. Scraping often peaks from mid to late October as bucks continue to make new scrapes and maintain existing scrapes. As breeding activity increases in early November scraping activity decreases. Breeding in northern areas may be intermittent from mid to late October; fairly continuous throughout November, with peak breeding occurring sometime between the first and the third week of November; and intermittent from early December into January. But, hold on what was that about breeding beginning in mid-October?

(This graph is on the "Rut Dates" page on my site.)

Data provided by the MN Department of Natural Resources

Note: The above graph shows the breeding dates of 1600+ does in Minnesota between 1980 and 1987. It clearly shows that that breeding of both yearling and older does begins in mid October and continues to mid January, for a breeding season length of 120 plus days. It shows that peak breeding during all years, and for all years combined, occurs during the second week of November. In addition, it shows that rarely do any more than 35 percent of the does in any one area get bred during the one-week time frame of the Peak of the Rut. It also shows that doe fawns in Minnesota breed from late October to early February; and that peak breeding of doe fawns occurs from late November to late December.

Estrus Cycles

Marchinton found that the estrus cycles of does ranged from 21 to 30 days, with an average of 26 days, and that does may recycle up to 7 times. My own observations, those of several other writers and photographers, and the studies of Dr. Larry Marchinton in Georgia show that breeding occurs as early as September 24 in northern Minnesota, October 15 in southern Minnesota, October 17 in Georgia, and October 24 in central Wisconsin.

Thanks to Marchinton's studies we can actually pinpoint estrus cycles in captive deer. The study was conducted to find out how many estrus cycles unbred does would experience. During the study recurrent estrus ranged from 2 to 7 times. Of the eight does studied one 2.5 year old came into a first estrus on October 17, another on October 24, three 1.5 year olds on November 11, one 2.5 year old on November 19, one 1.5 year old on November 21, and one 5.5 year old on December 1. The last recurrent estrus occurred on April 7.

This shows that, even without recurrent estrus, some does will be in estrus from mid-October to early December, resulting in a breeding period of more than 45 days. In northern areas the breeding period may last in excess of 60 days; from mid-October to late December. In southern areas it may last more than 90 days; into February. In most areas a small portion of the adult does may be bred in October, most of them in November, and a few more in December. This is typical of most deer populations. In northern areas 1.5 year old does may experience their first estrus in December. Doe fawns (5+ months) may experience their first estrus and breed in December, January or February.

Late Breeding Phase

As a result of Marchinton's study we know we cannot reliably predict when the late breeding phase may occur. Even if the majority of the does come into estrus at the same time, the research shows that recurrent estrus cycles are variable. Instead of occurring every 28 days as previously thought the cycles ranged from 21 to 30 days. This would make it difficult to pinpoint the late breeding period, especially when coupled with the knowledge that the first estrus of a doe may occur anytime from mid-October to mid-December. Another note of interest is that the does were in estrus from 24 to 48 hours, not the 22-24 hours previously thought. Any buck chasing a doe may spend up to three days with her without returning to its core area.

May God bless you and yours, and good hunting,

T.R.

[stcif]

Very educational. Thanks.

[TRMichels]

Thank you.

Stay with me - there is a lot more to come - on deer, elk, turkeys, ducks, geese, scents, calls, decoys, flagging, deer management, habitat conservation, birding, and outdoor photography.

If you have questions - fire away - I'm here to help.

God bless,

T.R.

[wtnhunt]

What you have written here pretty well parallels what I have read in different mags over the years. Good information for the most part.

From what I have read and experienced here most of the late season breeding is that years does coming into their very first estrous cycle. Makes sense.

Have you done any research on community scrape activity, deer(both buck and does) do use scrapes year round. There are different types of scrapes, of course hunters are most concerned with territorial scrapes come time for the pre rut and rut. Obviously territorial scrape activity will peak around the rut. Community scrapes can however also payoff to watch during the time leading into the rut when bucks are in the seeking phase and they may be taken over by a dominant buck during the time when buck are establishing their territories.

[TRMichels]

From the terms you are using "community scrapes" and "territorial scrapes" it sound to me like you hve been reading some of the writings of self-styled deer expersts, and not the research papers of deer biologists or deer researchers.

Which means I have a lot to explain, adn this is going to be a long post.

I've spent 10 years researchng scrapes, checking over 104 scrapes, every other day, from late August to late December in 2000 alone.

I've read every every scientific research paper I could get my hand on - about scrapes and scrape activity. I'd like to think I've learned a bit from all of that.

1. Deer Scietnitsts do not believe white-tailed deer are territorial, if they where they would protect their home ranges, daytime core areas, food sources, and rubs and scrapes; which is not the case. Fights do not break out over these places - as a sign of ownership or territoriality. IN factr, studies have shown that individual deer home ranges overlap each other.

So we have to throw out the the term territoriality and "territorial scrapes".

2. Research has shown that because bucks do not own a scrape, that in fact most scrapes are used by most bucks that actually walk by them, especially the overhanging branch at any scrape, which may be used by most bucks, and a very few does - all year long - if there are deer near the scrape all year long.

So, most scrapes could be termed as "communal" scrapes, with several different bucks, and possibly a doe or two acually sniffing them, but rarely urinating in them, maybe near them though.

So the term "communal" is kind of redundant.

3. Bucks scrapes near food sources, in or near stream bottoms, alond old logging roads, and in or near doe trails and daytime doe core area - all places that does use on a fairly regula basis.

It only make sense that, if a scrape is made to tell not only bucks - but also does - the age, social hierarchy and age of a buck (that worked the scrape - that a buck would make scrapes where does would come in contact with them.

Studies have shown that 1.5 year old bucks may lick the overhaning branch, and that is all they do. 2 year old bucks may lick the overhaning branch and paw the ground by not rub-urinate in them. 3 year old and older bucks bucks usually lick the branch, paw the ground and rub-urinate in the scrape.

Here is another excerpt from my book that may help.

Types of Scrapes

Many experts claim there are three different types of scrapes; primary, secondary and boundary. Basically these designations define the importance and locality of the scrape. Primary scrapes are made in strategic locations with trails leading to them. These scrapes are often traditional (used year after year) because of the cover in the area. They usually occur in staging or doe use areas. Secondary scrapes are generally found in travel corridors, along trails, and in natural funnels between core and feeding areas.

It could be said that all scrapes start out as secondary scrapes, but that some of them are elevated to primary status because of their importance, which results in some scrapes being used more frequently during the pre-primary breeding phase. Some scrapes are referred to as boundary scrapes because they appear along boundaries of a buck’s home range, or between two different types of habitat. They are often located along trails, creeks, fences, and old roads and field edges. Because of the openness of these areas these scrapes are often made at night. Boundary scrapes may be randomly made by traveling bucks.

For hunting purposes we can classify scrapes into four groups: 1. Scrapes that have been recently made. All scrapes appear recent at first. 2. Scrapes that may not be used frequently. I have seen bucks make four scrapes in an hour and then never use them again. 3. Scrapes that may be used frequently at certain times of the season and then be abandoned.

These scrapes are often near food sources that are then depleted, causing the deer to seek other foods or a more preferred food may become available, and the deer use it, but they may return to the previous source and the scrape becomes active again. All scrapes are abandoned at some time, either during or after the rut. 4. Scrapes that are used frequently for most of the season. These scrapes are usually in doe use or staging areas near food sources (corn, browse, and clover) that are used during most of the rut

The recent use of the scrape, especially just before peak breeding, tells you the buck uses the area at that time. Any recent scrape is worth investigating further and possibly hunting. Recently used scrapes that are never used again, or are not used frequently, are not good hunting sites, and a higher use area should be looked for. You can only determine this by checking the scrape regularly or hunting it.

Traditional Scrapes

Frequently used scrapes, showing recent use, should be watched closely and hunted. Frequently used scrapes that do not show recent use should be noted because they may be traditional scrapes, used at specific times during the season. Try to figure out why the scrape was used and when, then use the information to hunt the area next year. Scrapes made early in the season may be made simply out of rutting urge. Scrapes made near early seasonal food sources may not be used after the food is gone and the does stop using it. This often occurs after the breeding period. If a scrape is near an all season food source (browse, clover), and a more preferred food source (acorns, corn) becomes available, the deer may temporarily abandon the area and then return. A scrape in this area may be re-opened later.

Recently used scrapes made late in the season, after the breeding period, may be those of subdominants that begin scraping, because the older bucks have quit checking their scrapes and exerting dominance over the younger bucks; the older bucks are busy chasing does. Frequently used scrapes of any type are often traditional; used year after year, used by subsequent bucks, used by numerous bucks, and possibly checked by all bucks in the area. Frequently used traditional scrapes in heavy cover may be used during the day and often occur in travel corridors and near doe use areas.

Hunter Use

Determining how recently and how frequently the scrape is used helps you decide if you want to hunt near it. The importance of scrapes changes as the seasons change; as food sources are depleted or become available; and as the rut progresses. Scrapes may attract does, and may occur in traditional areas year after year, but they may be used only during certain times of the season. What you have to do is determine how frequently and recently they are used, and hunt them accordingly.

God bless dn good hunting,

T.R. 　

[wtnhunt]

From the terms you are using "community scrapes" and "territorial scrapes" it sound to me like you hve been reading some of the writings of self-styled deer expersts, and not the research papers of deer biologists or deer researchers.

Petersons bowhunting had a very interesting article probably 8 or 9 years ago on an extensive study that was conducted on scrape activity somewhere in Georgia. The person who wrote the article used this same terminology, I am far from being any type authority, however I have read a few articles and spent a good bit of time watching deer behaviour. Whatever you choose to call them, there are differences in scrapes used by deer where both does and bucks use those scrapes, and in scrapes used by a single dominant buck who is displaying aggression. Think Leonard Lee Rue maybe explained the difference in one of his books, have read the same things also in other articles.

I got pictures the week before last of a buck working a licking branch. The ground underneath was scraped clean when we checked that camera. We have also watched does chew the limbs on licking branches too many times to count. They too leave their scent behind at those signposts.

[blacktailslayer]

I wish blacktail deer made all these scrapes.

[blacktailslayer]

I was wondering if they study was by deer all taken from the same location and held in captivity at the same location.

"Thanks to Marchinton's studies we can actually pinpoint estrus cycles in captive deer. The study was conducted to find out how many estrus cycles unbred does would experience. During the study recurrent estrus ranged from 2 to 7 times. Of the eight does studied one 2.5 year old came into a first estrus on October 17, another on October 24, three 1.5 year olds on November 11, one 2.5 year old on November 19, one 1.5 year old on November 21, and one 5.5 year old on December 1. The last recurrent estrus occurred on April 7."

I know deer in different states, county, mountains/ridges will come into estrus at different times. The farther apart they take the deer from would however skew the data a little I would assume. I always assumed deer would breed at the right time their biological clocks would tell them; so their fawns would be born during the best nutritional time of year in that particular area. If deer for this study were taken from all different areas; then I can see why they got their results. I would be interested if deer in the same herd on the same mountain have really spaced out estrus cycles. I know there can be a difference from older mature does compared to young does. Can there still be a difference between two does of the same age living with the same herd of deer?

[wtnhunt]

I was wondering if they study was by deer all taken from the same location and held in captivity at the same location.

"Thanks to Marchinton's studies we can actually pinpoint estrus cycles in captive deer. The study was conducted to find out how many estrus cycles unbred does would experience. During the study recurrent estrus ranged from 2 to 7 times. Of the eight does studied one 2.5 year old came into a first estrus on October 17, another on October 24, three 1.5 year olds on November 11, one 2.5 year old on November 19, one 1.5 year old on November 21, and one 5.5 year old on December 1. The last recurrent estrus occurred on April 7."

I know deer in different states, county, mountains/ridges will come into estrus at different times. The farther apart they take the deer from would however skew the data a little I would assume. I always assumed deer would breed at the right time their biological clocks would tell them; so their fawns would be born during the best nutritional time of year in that particular area. If deer for this study were taken from all different areas; then I can see why they got their results. I would be interested if deer in the same herd on the same mountain have really spaced out estrus cycles. I know there can be a difference from older mature does compared to young does. Can there still be a difference between two does of the same age living with the same herd of deer?

You might want to read some of Leonard Lee Rue III's books if you have not already, most public libraries will have some of if not all his books. He has done some good research on both captive and free ranging deer in regards to breeding cycles. Basically from his research he concluded that a deer will continue to come in until they get bred. We have seen a buck try to mount a doe here in late February before. May have been a display of dominance, don't know for sure, but our peak rut time here is typically the third week of November.

[wtnhunt]

Studies have shown that 1.5 year old bucks may lick the overhaning branch, and that is all they do. 2 year old bucks may lick the overhaning branch and paw the ground by not rub-urinate in them. 3 year old and older bucks bucks usually lick the branch, paw the ground and rub-urinate in the scrape.

Are you suggesting only mature bucks rub urinate or suggesting only mature bucks rub urinate in scrapes? Where did those studies come from? From what I have read and seen, both does and bucks rub urinate, evident by the stained tarsals on deer of both sexes and of all ages.

Some of what you post here goes against what I have witnessed first hand. I have watched younger bucks paw the ground, and have also watched does chew licking branches. They are leaving their scent at those scrapes using their glands. Those are scrapes used by any deer in that area "communal".

Would you argue that deer do not display dominance over territory when it comes to food when it becomes scarce in places and also around doe bedding areas? I tend to believe a deer will have a core area territory or "boundary" as you called it. Makes perfect sense to me that a dominant buck will mark that territory or "boundary" with scrapes and rubs letting others know he is the dominant buck in that area.

[TRMichels]

I was wondering if they study was by deer all taken from the same location and held in captivity at the same location.

"Thanks to Marchinton's studies we can actually pinpoint estrus cycles in captive deer. The study was conducted to find out how many estrus cycles unbred does would experience. During the study recurrent estrus ranged from 2 to 7 times. Of the eight does studied one 2.5 year old came into a first estrus on October 17, another on October 24, three 1.5 year olds on November 11, one 2.5 year old on November 19, one 1.5 year old on November 21, and one 5.5 year old on December 1. The last recurrent estrus occurred on April 7."

Marchinton's studies we all on captive deer in the saem location. The MN study was of 1600+ wild does from all over the state .

I know deer in different states, county, mountains/ridges will come into estrus at different times. The farther apart they take the deer from would however skew the data a little I would assume. I always assumed deer would breed at the right time their biological clocks would tell them; so their fawns would be born during the best nutritional time of year in that particular area. If deer for this study were taken from all different areas; then I can see why they got their results. I would be interested if deer in the same herd on the same mountain have really spaced out estrus cycles. I know there can be a difference from older mature does compared to young does. Can there still be a difference between two does of the same age living with the same herd of deer?

Does of the same age on the same mountain may breed during different weeks. Marchintons studies show that deer from the same herd bred from Oct 17 - December 1. The Minnesota study shows breeding from October 15 to early February.

[TRMichels]

Are you suggesting only mature bucks rub urinate or suggesting only mature bucks rub urinate in scrapes? Where did those studies come from? From what I have read and seen, both does and bucks rub urinate, evident by the stained tarsals on deer of both sexes and of all ages.

All deer rub-urinate all year long, The scra;png informtion applies to scrape only.

Some of what you post here goes against what I have witnessed first hand. I have watched younger bucks paw the ground, and have also watched does chew licking branches. They are leaving their scent at those scrapes using their glands. Those are scrapes used by deer in that area "communal".

I said (or should have) that does (all deer) may chew licking branches. Whether or not a buck paws or urinates in a scrape is often determned by the social hierarchy and testosterone level of the buck. Higher testosterone level often manes higher social status.

Would you argue that deer do not display dominance over territory when it comes to food when it becomes scarce in places and also around doe bedding areas? I tend to believe a deer will have a core area territory or "boundary" as you called it. Makes perfect sense to me that a dominant buck will mark that territory or "boundary" with scrapes and rubs letting others know he is the dominant buck in that area.

I did not use the word "boundary" in respect to deer home ranges. But it could be used, but is it not marked.

Deer do not defend any part of their home range. Since they do not have a territory, they do not mark the "boundary" of their territory.

Rubs and scrapes generally mark the travel route of a buck through its home range, not the outside edge (boundary) of its home range.

God bless,

T.R.

[wtnhunt]

I did not use the word "boundary" in respect to deer home ranges. But it could be used, but is it not marked.

Deer do not defend any part of their home range. Since they do not have a territory, they do not mark the "boundary" of their territory.

Rubs and scrapes generally mark the travel route of a buck through its home range, not the outside edge (boundary) of its home range.

God bless,

T.R.

So you do not believe that those scrapes that YOU said some referred to as boundary scrapes in the excerpt from your book(see your post #5 in this thread) "Some scrapes are referred to as boundary scrapes because they appear along boundaries of a buck’s home range, or between two different types of habitat." have anything to do with a deer establishing and marking the core area where he has dominance over all subordinate bucks that remain in that area. Appears kinda contradictory.

Seems like territorial behaviour to me, but I am not a deer psychologist. Why would a deer mark a boundary with his scent by means of scrapes and rubs if he was not essentially saying "this is where I am at the top of the pecking order?"

[Tominator]

In a way, I think it's kind of silly to reduce a whitetail to such finite terms. I think we give them way too much credit.

Sometimes I think it's just best to sit back and enjoy the ride. Let's face it, deer walk around. In the process of walking around, they make scrapes and rub trees. Sure you can take that as evidence of a deer being there at one time, but to make a blanket statement of "1 year olds only lick branches" is ludicrous. The only predictable thing I've noticed in 20+ years of hunting whitetail is that they are unpredictable. Just when you think you've seen it all, or know it all, they teach you something new.

[wtnhunt]

The only predictable thing I've noticed in 20+ years of hunting whitetail is that they are unpredictable. Just when you think you've seen it all, or know it all, they teach you something new.

Could not agree more with that right there. Been hunting whitetailed deer for over 15 years and always seeing and learning something new.

[TRMichels]

So you do not believe that those scrapes that YOU said some referred to as boundary scrapes in the excerpt from your book(see your post #5 in this thread) "Some scrapes are referred to as boundary scrapes because they appear along boundaries of a buck’s home range, or between two different types of habitat." have anything to do with a deer establishing and marking the core area where he has dominance over all subordinate bucks that remain in that area. Appears kinda contradictory.

Seems like territorial behaviour to me, but I am not a deer psychologist. Why would a deer mark a boundary with his scent by means of scrapes and rubs if he was not essentially saying "this is where I am at the top of the pecking order?"

No I do not believe in territorial behavior, because they do not "defend" their teritory, nor do they mark the dges of their loosely defined "home ranges". Plus - home ranges often overlap each other - by several acres. If they were territorial, they would drive the other deer out, or at least mark the edges - which they do not.

Several deer biologists have come to this conclusion, and so have I.

God bless,

T.R.

[samuelc]

That's some seriously detailed research! I'll have to check out that book.

[12-point]

In a way, I think it's kind of silly to reduce a whitetail to such finite terms. I think we give them way too much credit.

Sometimes I think it's just best to sit back and enjoy the ride. Let's face it, deer walk around. In the process of walking around, they make scrapes and rub trees. Sure you can take that as evidence of a deer being there at one time, but to make a blanket statement of "1 year olds only lick branches" is ludicrous. The only predictable thing I've noticed in 20+ years of hunting whitetail is that they are unpredictable. Just when you think you've seen it all, or know it all, they teach you something new.

couldnt put it better myself, i have seen alot in the woods and most of it never made since but im pretty sure too that if only 1 year olds lick branches i ran up and made the scrape under him! but my exagerations show that not all is true and not all is false. Everything is unpredictable.