toddyboman Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 NO not yet..... My theory this year for the mid-west is....The rut will happen earlier this year than normal.... As we have somewhat discussed already the moon phases that help kick start the rut are earlier this year than normal.....And from what I have saw already this year I feel very strongly that the rut is going to happen earlier this year than normal. Meaning the sign I have already found and the behavior and action I have witnessed from deer already....and no I don't mean small young bucks being foolish young bucks. Finally this unseasonable cold weather we are having...Here it is the first part of October and we are down to mid to low 40s to high 30s for night time lows.... Anyone else think this?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAarcher Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I might jump on your boat . . .kinda. . . Well at least a lot more pre rut activity. I think the does will still come into estrus at their usuall time but the buck activity has been earlier than i've seen in the past. Noticed the scrape and rub activity about doubled from seasons in the past. I'm guessing it's from the colder weather. Seen smaller bucks bumping does and making scrapes in the first week of the season. Still haven't seen any "Shooters" yet but all this early buck activity has me excited to say the least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohiobuckhunter Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 i personally think it will be a later rut because the first week of nov. is a full moon so i'm thinking the best time to be in the woods will be mid. nov. the 15th or 16th there is no moon. don't get me wrong i will be on stand everyday from late. oct. to mid. nov. but i'm thinking the second week of nov. will be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartonman Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 My understanding in reference to the rut, is that does go into estrous or cycle for breeding is enhanced by the sun/moon phases. The lack of sunlight, or shorter days into the does retina is what truly sparks her cycle. This is why the more Northern states go into rut before the southern states., due to cold weather, the bucks are definately more active, but I dont beleive the ladies are going to participate until November here in Illinois. al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtech_archer07 Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 i personally think it will be a later rut because the first week of nov. is a full moon so i'm thinking the best time to be in the woods will be mid. nov. the 15th or 16th there is no moon. don't get me wrong i will be on stand everyday from late. oct. to mid. nov. but i'm thinking the second week of nov. will be great 2nd-3rd week of Nov is usually when the rut hits here. Pre-rut is usually from around Halloween to the 10th or 11th of Nov, then the rut kicks in. I think the bucks will begin to start acting "rutty" earlier than normal, but I think the rut will be around the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 As always I'd say the first 2 weeks of November. I'm not seeing signs of the pre-rut that would need to be there by now for an October rut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 You could be right Todd. Rutting activity here the past few years has been pretty weird to say the least. Usually here between 3rd week and the 4th week of November is when the majority of does are in. Temps this year have been cooler than average and we have had far more cloudy rainy low light days, should at least make for better daytime deer movement during the rut if it continues on as it has been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I've already noticed some scraping activity down here. Could be an early rut, you really never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilbowman Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I would say that if the weather stays the way it is now( atleast in Illinois) Then we are going to see more rubs, scrapes and big bucks on their feet. So I would agree the pre rut activity might start a little early but the does will not come in as early as we might think. The next full moon is november 4th so I would say november 11th thru thanksgiving should be the bulk of the actual rut. Personally the last week in october till the second week of november is my favorite time to hunt) Now the real problem all of us(atleast the majority of the midwest) should be concerned about is the corn still being in most, if not all, of the month of October running into november. In illinois there is only 25% of the corn crop out and in my hunting areas none of the corn is even ready to come out. So even if we do have an early rut we wont see much of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 No early rut this year....I think it will hit like normal....2-3rd week in November with some pre rut activity picking up around halloween in Oklahoma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 My understanding in reference to the rut, is that does go into estrous or cycle for breeding is enhanced by the sun/moon phases. The lack of sunlight, or shorter days into the does retina is what truly sparks her cycle. This is why the more Northern states go into rut before the southern states., due to cold weather, the bucks are definately more active, but I dont beleive the ladies are going to participate until November here in Illinois. al yep... 2nd-3rd week of Nov is usually when the rut hits here. Pre-rut is usually from around Halloween to the 10th or 11th of Nov, then the rut kicks in. I think the bucks will begin to start acting "rutty" earlier than normal, but I think the rut will be around the same time. yep....and I would say that if the weather stays the way it is now( atleast in Illinois) Then we are going to see more rubs, scrapes and big bucks on their feet. So I would agree the pre rut activity might start a little early but the does will not come in as early as we might think. The next full moon is november 4th so I would say november 11th thru thanksgiving should be the bulk of the actual rut. Personally the last week in october till the second week of november is my favorite time to hunt) Now the real problem all of us(atleast the majority of the midwest) should be concerned about is the corn still being in most, if not all, of the month of October running into november. In illinois there is only 25% of the corn crop out and in my hunting areas none of the corn is even ready to come out. So even if we do have an early rut we wont see much of it. yep...i am seeing scrapes and rubs already, but most are probably from young bucks. I haven't seen a big one in daylight yet...but i am thinking as long as we keep having this cold weather, we will begin to see bigger bucks on their feet earlier than normal. I agree that the rut wont' be til november, but i also bet you'll see more big ones than normal in late October. The whole corn thing is going to suck too....this weather isn't helping to dry it out either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathews4life84 Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Finally! Someone is in the same mindset as me. I agree with toddybowman 100%. If anyone knows much about deer hunting, they know that the moon phases are what kickstarts the rut. It was very weird this year having that full moon a week and a half early. I havent seen crap for buck activity due to it. But with the cold weather being here all season so far and that 2nd full moon dropping on the 1st week of november, we are in for an early rut for sure. Oh and has anyone noticed that the corn and beans are going to be coming out toghether this year? I find that indiana is going to have a record breaking season! Good luck to all, and be ready for some early rut activity!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilbowman Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 THIS WEATHER SUCKS!!!!!! Continueous rain today which of course is my day off work!! ugghh! plus this does not help the corn situation at all!! Some farmers were just starting to pull it and now they wont be able to get in the fields until late this weekend at the earliest. A possible 4 inches of rain today! And by looking at the radar I can see that being very possible. If it lets up im taking the daughter to a ground blind over looking a clover field and standing corn. Both times I have had a chance to take my daughter hunting it has rained or been to windy. something has to give!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted October 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 More Food for thought..... Ok here is "THE BOOK" on hunting by the moon IMO. Here is the book. Here is a few important things it states: 1. 5 to 7 days after the rutting moon does come into estrus 2. there is a 14 day breeding period 3. 10 days prior to the breeding period there should be LOTS of scrapping, rubbing, fighting. SO..... 2009 Moon Calander says... have to go to the link cause I can't copy the calendar. However your week of rutting moon will happen during the first week of November. http://www.moonconnection.com/moon_phases_calendar.phtml I do think things will happen a bit earlier this year......Yes the end of OCT and first of NOV are still going to be rocking as always....but the times of where you want to hunt and the tactics you use may be a bit different. Good luck to all. Sorry this is just the way my crazy brain works this time of year :D:D OH and all those comments about the corn still being in....yeah you have a great point....LOTS of corn is still in here too....and not ready to come out just yet....oh and all this rain we are currently getting IS NOT going to help get it out any sooner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAarcher Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 This a.m. I herd two bucks sparing, it was short not to violent at all just tickeling the tines a bit and they let out a few grunts. It sounded to be only about 40 yds away it was on the other side of some very thick brush I didn't get a look at either of them. Hopefully with this cooler weather some bigger bucks will show themselves during daylight hrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I agree with toddybowman 100%. If anyone knows much about deer hunting, they know that the moon phases are what kickstarts the rut. It was very weird this year having that full moon a week and a half early. I havent seen crap for buck activity due to it. But with the cold weather being here all season so far and that 2nd full moon dropping on the 1st week of november, we are in for an early rut for sure. Oh and has anyone noticed that the corn and beans are going to be coming out toghether this year? I find that indiana is going to have a record breaking season! Good luck to all, and be ready for some early rut activity!!!! Ok here is "THE BOOK" on hunting by the moon IMO. Here is the book. Here is a few important things it states: 1. 5 to 7 days after the rutting moon does come into estrus 2. there is a 14 day breeding period 3. 10 days prior to the breeding period there should be LOTS of scrapping, rubbing, fighting. SO..... 2009 Moon Calander says... have to go to the link cause I can't copy the calendar. However your week of rutting moon will happen during the first week of November. I do think things will happen a bit earlier this year......Yes the end of OCT and first of NOV are still going to be rocking as always....but the times of where you want to hunt and the tactics you use may be a bit different. Good luck to all. Sorry this is just the way my crazy brain works this time of year :D:D OH and all those comments about the corn still being in....yeah you have a great point....LOTS of corn is still in here too....and not ready to come out just yet....oh and all this rain we are currently getting IS NOT going to help get it out any sooner OK...I've already been here, both on this thread and at the moon link in late august...What i gathered from it was actually a later rut due to the full moon starting around the 1st of November. When we have this moon fading out the last week in october is when we have generally had an early rut... I'll be in the woods with high expectations from Nov. 7th - Nov. 15th...thats my prediction on when the fit hits the shan... The bottom line is, its November, and anything can happen anytime during this month. Also, the amount of does in your area will also be a major factor in how much rutting activity you will see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 i know its a little early, but from what i have seen the past few days, you would think the rut is on. little bucks chasing does all over. dogging does like the doe is hot. i even have a pic of a really big buck doing lip curl and scent checking a doe on my Cuddeback camera. moon phase? photoperoidism? cold weather? what ever causes the rut, im guessing from oct 25 to nov 20th the ruts going to happen. if your hunting during those days, then your sure to see rutting action. i actually prefer the last week of oct. i find the bucks much more receptive to rattling and decoying. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 The bottom line is, its November, and anything can happen anytime during this month. Also, the amount of does in your area will also be a major factor in how much rutting activity you will see. Yep. Last year on Thanksgiving day if I remember right I watched 4 or 5 young bucks pushing around one doe, while an older buck snuck through back behind me on a beeline like he was on a mission and did not seem interested in that particular doe. Also saw bucks chasing as early as late October, on into early December, think I got video of chasing spread out over that time. Never seemed to be a real concentrated time frame here that the does were in together. OH and all those comments about the corn still being in....yeah you have a great point....LOTS of corn is still in here too....and not ready to come out just yet....oh and all this rain we are currently getting IS NOT going to help get it out any sooner Corn around here is all gone, beans too. Last of it came out at least a week ago. We do have a bumper crop of acorns here though. Heavy mast crops according to this states wildlife folks yield lower deer sightings and lower harvest numbers. Figure our peak rutting activity here will be around the second week of November this year maybe just a few days earlier, putting it just a little earlier than normal. Would be nice to see a good rut this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HUNTINGMAN Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I wish the rut would hit today,not just because of hunting purposes but so all the bucks would regain there sinses before the rifle season starts and the orange army takes to the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted October 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 The bottom line is, its November, and anything can happen anytime during this month. Also, the amount of does in your area will also be a major factor in how much rutting activity you will see. Yep November is the time. Can't argue with that And great point on the does.....The buck:doe ratio on your hunting property will be a HUGE factor is what you do or don't see Corn around here is all gone, beans too. Last of it came out at least a week ago. We do have a bumper crop of acorns here though. Heavy mast crops according to this states wildlife folks yield lower deer sightings and lower harvest numbers. WOW....Only combine action I have seen as of late has mostly been prep work.... But this rain is going to really set em back.. I wish the rut would hit today,not just because of hunting purposes but so all the bucks would regain there sinses before the rifle season starts and the orange army takes to the woods. You and me both. Sure hate that the bulk of our gun season happens when buck are dumb as door knobs.:hammer1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNcrittergittr Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Wow! Lots of ideas bouncing around in here. I was thinking about this the other day. I can see things happening a little early. I do think that pre rut activity will increase sooner and more than "normal", but I think peak rut is gonna hit about average time for peak rut. I live in northern Minnesota so if things get crazy early I'll definitely know about it. When I put it all together, weather, moon phase etc, I can see increased, earlier pre rut action, but for the most part I think the rut will hit about the same time as it always does here, maybe a little early but nothing too crazy. Either way I'll be in the woods for sure, and we definitely have plenty to get excited about!!! Good luck out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Givan Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I agree with toddybowman 100%. If anyone knows much about deer hunting, they know that the moon phases are what kickstarts the rut. It was very weird this year having that full moon a week and a half early. I havent seen crap for buck activity due to it. But with the cold weather being here all season so far and that 2nd full moon dropping on the 1st week of november, we are in for an early rut for sure. Oh and has anyone noticed that the corn and beans are going to be coming out toghether this year? I find that indiana is going to have a record breaking season! Good luck to all, and be ready for some early rut activity!!!! Actually the rut is triggered by the photoperiod which is the cycle of light and dark. Once the days get shorter and there is less daylight time, then at a certian point does start coming into estrus. The rut will be about the same time it is every year. This cold weather probably has the bucks feeling a little frisky and ready to go, but the does wont come in until the photoperiod is correct. First two weeks of November for around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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