rut predictions

[mikebohio]

anyone know where they have free rut predictions on line gotto plan my days off

[Tominator]

New moon closest to Halloween is what I always look for. This year it's November 5th. (my late brother's birthday). If we have cold weather, the first week of November should really be pretty good.

[mikebohio]

thanks tom

[hoosierhunter]

I just watched a deer and deer hunting show on the moon phase and they say that about 75% of the time the rut hits 6 days after the new moon. So I would take off the week after the new moon on Nov 6th.

[Ohiobucks]

My "Deer and Deer Hunting" calendar says a late rut, with major northern rutting activity kicking up Nov 15....

[Rhino]

I'm not a believer in the moon phase determining the timing of the rut. I prefer to stick to whatever the traditional timing of the rut is for the area I'm hunting and count on it happening around that time regardless of the moon phase. That's goes for when I'm hunting here at home and where I hunt in the midwestern states.

The MDWFP together with the Texas Parks & Wildlife conducted an extensive research project on this very subject. The results of the research project were included in our 2007-08 Deer Program Report. Their statemtent was: "Our results were clear and irrefutable - there was absolutely no relationship between breeding dates of individual and populations and the timing of the rutting moon."

You can read it for yourself on page 65 of the Deer Program Report here.

http://www.mdwfp.com/Level2/Wildlife/Game/Deer/pdf/2008DeerReport.pdf

[dbHunterNY]

I've got a rut prediction....

Better than last year. lol

In all honesty though, I haven't looked into it yet.

[Ethan Givan]

Ive always heard that for this part of the country Nov. 11th was the best day to be in the woods for the rut. So I figure Nov 7th thru the 14th is probably the best week to hunt the rut. November 11th was also Field & Streams pick last year as the best day to hunt as well, if that carries any weight.

[Tominator]

I'm not a believer in the moon phase determining the timing of the rut. I prefer to stick to whatever the traditional timing of the rut is for the area I'm hunting and count on it happening around that time regardless of the moon phase. That's goes for when I'm hunting here at home and where I hunt in the midwestern states.

What do you think triggers that "traditional" timing? Clearly, it's not the weather.

I would agree to an extent, first week in November is ALWAYS money for seeing deer move around in pre-rut activity. Personally, I like this time of year moreso than the actual rut. The actual rut can and usually is so touchy. Sometimes you see a lot, sometimes they're on lockdown, sometimes it's too warm, etc., but first week of November is always the most consistent IMHO.

A lot of good deer are taken during the rut, but my biggest deer have been taken on October 12th, and December 27th. October 12, 2008 was 78 degrees and a full moon that evening. December 27, 1998 was a warm 47 and kind of a foggy day. Both dates I would consider to be well outside of the rut period.

Bottom line for me--if I have time to hunt, I'm in a tree.

[hoosierhunter]

The MDWFP together with the Texas Parks & Wildlife conducted an extensive research project on this very subject. The results of the research project were included in our 2007-08 Deer Program Report. Their statemtent was: "Our results were clear and irrefutable - there was absolutely no relationship between breeding dates of individual and populations and the timing of the rutting moon."

So I'm supposed to listen to a state that thinks it is its own country and another one that has more rice flats than food plots in it's state:yawn:

Of course we all know the best indicator is what you see in the woods in real time, but when guys have to schedule months in advance the moon phase is the next best thing.

[Rhino]

What do you think triggers that "traditional" timing? Clearly, it's not the weather.

For most states it's considered to be a photo period thing Chris. James Kroll's research has come to the same conclusion. His research indicates if there's any correlation between moon phase & the rut it may only skew the timing a couple of days one way or the other.

In MS...who knows what triggers it. The mean breeding dates have been documented from being during the 1st week of December in the northwestern part of the state to the end of the 1st week of February in the southeastern part. Other parts of the state fall all between those dates.

In my neck of the woods I like the week before Chrismas. A few days after Chistmas is pretty good too but there will be a lot more hunters in the woods starting the 2nd day after Christmas. According to the state's research, the mean breeding date where I hunt in MS is Jan. 1st. 2 years ago we had a pronounced lockdown period. It began on Dec. 30th. They started coming out of lockdown on the afternoon of Jan. 2nd. There was a frenzy of activity on the 28th & 29th & then it was like all the deer (with the exception of 1 1/2 year old bucks & fawns) disappeared until they came out of lockdown.

JMO but if I plan a hunt around what I believe will be the best rutting activity in Illinois or Iowa, I want to be hunting from Nov. 4th through the 12th. In Kansas it would be from Nov. 12th through the 20th. I'll rely on you & Tom for Ohio's magic dates when the time comes I head to your turf.

[Rhino]

...another one that has more rice flats than food plots in it's state:yawn:

That's Louisiana...we're known for our catfishing industry & cotton.

[Tominator]

For most states it's considered to be a photo period thing Chris. James Kroll's research has come to the same conclusion. His research indicates if there's any correlation between moon phase & the rut it may only skew the timing a couple of days one way or the other.

So you do believe in photoperiodism, which is, as you pointed out, somewhat affected by moon phase. :poke:

JMO but if I plan a hunt around what I believe will be the best rutting activity in Illinois or Iowa, I want to be hunting from Nov. 4th through the 12th. I'll rely on you & Tom for Ohio's magic dates when the time comes I head to your turf.

You are right on the money for Ohio, watch for that new moon in October/November though before you plan a trip.

[Rhino]

So you do believe in photoperiodism, which is, as you pointed out, somewhat affected by moon phase. :poke:

Gee...I didn't know the length of daylight within a 24 hour period was affected by the moon phase. :poke:

[Tominator]

Gee...I didn't know the length of daylight within a 24 hour period was affected by the moon phase. :poke:

It sure is. Well, according to the moon believers. Full moons tend to trick the does into thinking it's still daytime. :yes: :poke:

[treeinwalker]

The farther north you are, the earlier it happens. Whitetail Journal posts rut predictions every September and i have found them to be 100% accurate for my general area. We have a wider rut down here than you more northern folks because we have such an out-of-whack doe-to-buck ratio. There are 2 areas that I hunt that are about 15 miles apart. I might have bucks chasing and finding standing does on Nov.2 on one farm and Nov. 8th on the other farm. However, they all cycle through the general time frame of the first and second week of Nov. I hunt every day from Nov. 1-Nov. 15. Never can tell what couple of days the does at either location will be ready, so I tell anyone who wants to know the facts that if they have any vacation they can take during deer season to take it between those dates. I happen to be in a position where I cant hunt everyday, so I do. After Nov. 15th, I start killing does and stack my freezer and any freezer I can borrow some space in.

Last year, I killed a buck chasing does on Nov. 2 on one farm and another on Nov. 6th chasing does on the other farm 15 miles away. However, farther up North one goes, the less out of kilter the buck-to-doe ratio is, so there is not such a big window where does are coming in season on one farm near Nov. 1 and on the other farm near Nov. 10. You guys get a lot closer to having all of your does coming in at once, so the window of opportunity is smaller. I think I remember that the prediction for your area last year was around the last week of Oct. Ours was (and always is) the first and second weeks of Nov. (full moon seems to help somewhat). In Texas, theirs is sometime in Jan. It's later in the season the further south you go and earlier the further north. Check out the rut predictions in the Sept. issue of Whitetail Journal. The guy that does them is pretty darn good at it.

[klnohio]

Im not a big believer in the Moon Phases heard alot about it but im not gonna lie it kinda confuses me, I just think if you go out prepared its all about the luck of the draw if your in the right place at the right time. i mean what sounds better? "I Didnt See Any Deer Cause I Was Playing Around Making Noise." Or "I Didnt See Any Deer Cause the Moon Phase Is Off."

[MonsterBuck48]

im missing the rut this year is there any way to estimate the time frame on the second rut.

[Tominator]

im missing the rut this year is there any way to estimate the time frame on the second rut.

About 28 days after the first one.

[Jorden]

This years rut prediction issue of deer and deer hunting claims that it is a really late rut this year, with the best days falling on Nov 20th and 21st. This seems pretty late but they have been pretty accurate over the years. Regardless I still plan on taking time off around the first weekend in Nov.

[TN Bucknasty]

It's based on photoperiod (length of daylight). The moon means nothing. It's been proven in all of my personal studies as well as all of the university and professional studies I've ever come across. The same goes for deer activity.

You should be able to find some sort of map showing when the peak rut dates in your area are. Peak rut dates are usually pretty consistent in any given area, however, activity during daylight may or may not be noticeable depending on weather factors.

Here in Southwest, TN the rut peaks close to December 4th according to the fetal studies I've seen. The peak date can vary up to a week in any given area.

As far as hunting in this part of the country goes, the rut is not that significant. What is very significant is that gun season opens at the same time as the rut picks up, and the whole state turns into a war zone. I see a whole lot more running and hiding than I do chasing. It's even more true the further south I've hunted. However, I've heard a lot of good things about the rut in the Midwest, and I plan on finding out for myself in Kansas this year.

Edited September 30, 2010 by TN Bucknasty

[Straight Shooter]

The last two years I have gone on the second week of November to Ohio and the rut was in but the bucks were locked up with Doe's. I'm with Chris on wanting to hunt the Pre-rut, so we will be getting up there this year on the 30th of October.

[shockwave]

This years rut prediction issue of deer and deer hunting claims that it is a really late rut this year, with the best days falling on Nov 20th and 21st. This seems pretty late but they have been pretty accurate over the years. Regardless I still plan on taking time off around the first weekend in Nov.

I heard the same thing about a late rut.. Our bow season runs into the second week of november, so we should have some have decent pre-rut action here in Pa.

[12-point]

My bet is second week of october and first of november. Its gonna be early cold weather is here to stay. The bucks are acting to funny for them not too. Goodluck guys

[OHBucks]

I took off the Friday of veterans day weekend last year. I believe it was somewhere around the 11th. While I saw a few small bucks it seemed like the big ones were locked up already I was thinking about taking off the 5th and hunting hard the 5th, 6th, and the 7th. I want to try to catch them cruising through. But I am still debating but I think this may be a really good weekend.