Is there anyway possible to determine area seeking?

[mheichelbech]

Besides scrapes and rubs, is anyone able to determine if bucks are seeking in a particular area or if does in area are about to come into estrus other than simply being there and seeing what's going on? Obviously scrapes and rubs would tell us of an active buck(s) but is there any other sign that says to you..."I need to sit this area for bucks chasing".

[Bucky]

Nov 6th in the Midwest.... bucks are seeking guaranteed! Some are probably locked down already on a doe.

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[Bucky]

If u don't wanna stink up the woods trying to figure out what is going on... spotlight after dark. You will see bucks chasing does almost guaranteed

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[purebowhunting]

Another indication is lone fawns feeding/traveling. Road kill, people seeing bucks midday driving.

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[DaveT1963]

Check with your state game agency - many states conduct fetal studies on harvested does that can pretty much nail the peak breeding dates (it is later and more consistent then most tend to think). Younger bucks go crazy early and give many a false sense that "the rut" is in full swing..... but they are just like Freshman that show up at the dance at 7:00 - the guys (Seniors) that actually gets the girls knows nothing happens until after 10:00 and that the ladies are waiting for them..... don't think there is much difference out in the woods if doe/buck ratios are in check :)

[Dewey]

Check with your state game agency - many states conduct fetal studies on harvested does that can pretty much nail the peak breeding dates (it is later and more consistent then most tend to think). Younger bucks go crazy early and give many a false sense that "the rut" is in full swing..... but they are just like Freshman that show up at the dance at 7:00 - the guys (Seniors) that actually gets the girls knows nothing happens until after 10:00 and that the ladies are waiting for them..... don't think there is much difference out in the woods if doe/buck ratios are in check :)

Great point

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[DaveT1963]

You can also check with Universities in your state - ask for the Biology director and see if any thesis students have done similar studies - many will work with Fish and Game to do so. You would be surprised what you can learn from these studies

[mheichelbech]

I saw a nice one locked down with a doe by a road in a neighborhood on the way to work this morning. I am a bit disgusted because I took off 3 days this week thinking it would be prime time and now it sounds like prime time will be this weekend through next week...and I'm still trying to Figure out how this could happen. Everything I've seen, here and elsewhere suggested prime time to be last week of October and first week of November. Now it's looking more like second week of November. I know it's hard to nail down exactly....just disappointed. I saw good action last year during that time frame.

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[Stanley]

If there are does there will be bucks.

[Dewey]

If there are does there will be bucks.

That's my big problem here. Does are very hard to find around here. I got lucky last year when one that smelled right walked past me. When you get 6 bucks following one doe you know there are issues in your area.

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[dan]

Im with Bucky on this... The date is what matters. Its the same date every year. Weather, moon, heat, pressure, etc. might all have some influence on daytime movement, and the date might vary from area to area, but the rut is at the same time every year.

[Stanley]

If there are does there will be bucks.

That's my big problem here. Does are very hard to find around here. I got lucky last year when one that smelled right walked past me. When you get 6 bucks following one doe you know there are issues in your area.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

Great point Dewey. I think a lot of hunters get caught up in "you need to shoot does". I know it dominoes and then pretty soon there are too few does and then hunters complain because they are not seeing any bucks. As hunters we need to take some responsibility. Some do, but a lot of guys are after their share no matter what.

[Stanley]

Im with Bucky on this... The date is what matters. Its the same date every year. Weather, moon, heat, pressure, etc. might all have some influence on daytime movement, and the date might vary from area to area, but the rut is at the same time every year.

Absolutely 100% correct. I think guys confuse movement with actual rutting activity. Just because there is no movement in the area you are hunting does not mean the rut has changed dates.

[mheichelbech]

That is an issue in some properties surrounding me, hunters killing too many, but not on the specific property I hunt although it is only 40 acres and therefore subject to surrounding pressure. One thing I know, for any bucks that do make it through it will heat up come December.

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[stash59]

Kinda relates to my post about doe tarsal staining. If your not seeing does with stained tarsals they aren't in heat or been in heat.

The link:

http://www.thehuntingbeast.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=32866