The 2012 Whitetail Rut

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yidava25

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Super GunNutz
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La Crete, AB.
I have an app for this but it crapped out yesterday in my ground blind and it was only for the US anyway, where apparently the rut peaks around the 8th-10th, which is considerably earlier than here in northern Alberta. So I thought it could be useful to start a thread where we can share updates on how the rut is progressing in our respective areas. Pics of those big bruisers when you get them too, of course (or baby bruisers, its all hunting).
In my hunting area right now it seems like its just getting started. We got a big early snowfall a couple weeks ago and temps are staying down. I watched a doe chase her fawns off yesterday so maybe the first ones are getting there already. I also have a scrape and rub line that is being freshened up regularly, and a buddy just killed a nice buck this morning.

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The forecast is for lows of -16C by the 9th and 10th. Should be a great time to be out there if only I can get off work.

Hope this helps! Good luck and stay safe.
 
Well things still seem pretty slow. I'm in the field right now, saw 2 fawns without a doe on my way in. Did some rattling and heard something come in so I stood up but it was not where I thought it was and whatever it was busted outta there before I could see a head. The rest of the week is supposed to be colder so I'll come out again on Friday and/or Saturday.
One problem I have is super crusty snow due to freezing rain, makes walking pretty noisy.
Anyone see any chasing yet?
 
We rattled in 3 bucks this past weekend, but most of the deer we're seeing are does and fawns. No chasing that I've seen yet and all small bucks coming into the horns. Should start to pick up this weekend i'm thinking. Was out tonight and the woods were quiet not much movement, we'll see what the morning brings. God I love this time of year,it's better than christmas!
 
East of Winnipeg there are LOTS of scrapes already. I saw quite a few rubs too, but not as many as there were scrapes. I'm seeing a lot of bucks moving on my way home from work each morning, a few hours before daylight, but not as many once the sun comes up.

It's starting...My general tag is filled already, as is my second tag in 34a...might still try for my 3rd in 34a too, but it's antlerless.
 
Pre-rut looks to be going in my area.

Had some young bucks sparing on my camera as well as more different bucks than normal. Watched a mature buck follow 2 does that were 25 yards in front of me, they ran off, he stuck around, so they are just starting to get stupid.
 
Im up in the tree stand every night and the bucks are not interested in rattling or grunts yet. Im thinking this cold snap on Friday may change the game some.....can't wait for the rut.
 
Sw ontario the rut is in full. Bucks chasing does and fighting. I shot a big 8point monday morning at 15 yards or slightly less. Massive neck and just wreaked of rut smell. Tuesday had 5 bucks within 30 yards. Saw 2 6points tongues hanging out jog past me chasin does. Not a care in the world about me. Even had an 8point follow me to my stand and sniff my ladder. Watched him make aa few scapes and piss on my crossing then walk off. My dad shot a small 8point because it wouldn't leave the doe he just shot. Got out of the stand and walked up. It just stood beside the dead doe so down it went
 
Sounds like its creeping further north! A coworker of mine had a chance on a wide 5x5 early this morning but never got anything other than a frontal shot opportunity. He said there were two bucks staring each other down and some does trying to chase their fawns off. Another buddy was out this afternoon and saw some young bucks running around early and a few deer came out late.
I may not be able to go on Saturday so I'll see what I can do tomorrow. Hopefully this cold weather wakes them up a little.
 
The WT rut is sure on in one part of these woods (cypress Hills) I have been watching three bucks feeding regular with a bunch of does in a hay field for a few weeks. The other night the two biggest both 5x5 but not monsters were doing some strutting around and suddenly all helle broke lose , they went at it and was the best white tail fight fight I,ve ever seen, they finaly got locked up and I phoned my buddy Dale, thinking we were going to have to do some deer wrestling to break it up :rolleyes: While I am talking to him the bigger buck flipped the other on his back and broke lose, I have never seen the likes of it he kept sticking the down buck in the belly and chest, his white belly and feet kicking. My vantage point was about 600 yards and my eye in the spotting scope was just about screwed and I was shaking with the worst case of buck fever since I was a kid. The big one backed away and I could make out what looked like blood on the white of the down buck, he then got up staggered off into the bush and the other one followed ramming him in the rear. Last nite only the big buck was out huffing and puffing around the field taking runs at does who didn,t seem too interested. This morning we have about a foot of snow and pretty much blizzard here so who knows what will go on and how the loser made out. I have been planning on shooting my buck with my old 32-40 Hi Wall winchester next week when it opens, but I stuck my finger in the meat grinder :redface: so maybe I should just go look for the loser, he might be in about the same shape as I am. :confused: Sure wish I could have got video of the fight.
 
Shot a nice 6X5 the other day, the rut is in full swing here.

The buck has a heavy but small basket, with a droptine/kicker 3.5'' long growing down on a angle in front of his eye. I didn't get any field pic's but will try to post pic's of the rack when i get a new camera.
 
I watched a 8 pt check his spots 250 yds away so I grunted , bleated . Nothing! He looked that was it. Half hr later he walked within a 130 yds so I bleated again, he looked and walked off. Really. Have not seen any does. Hopefully things pick up

SW Ontario
 
All I have been seeing is Does lately, and none in the field I am in! But the fields across the road has their Does with their Fawns still...Only seen one Buck and he didn't care for my Bleat or my Call, just looked and kept on eating.
 
Things are cooling down and heating up here. It was -25 this morning and I watched a buck chasing a bunch of young does. Then at a different spot we saw a smaller buck running around in circles and he came to a bleat call but my buddy missed him clean.
 
Watched a Boomer chasing a doe yesterday afternoon and last night my buddy had a 4x4 tagging a doe and running her fawns off. This morning we got snow and wind, and nothing much seems to be moving. Once the storm subsides it might be good, but I'm thinking that a lot of the rutting activity will take place in the heavier bush. This storm couldn't have picked a worse time to hit!
 
Over here in southern Quebec (zone 10 East), the does are still hanging around with their fawns and there are no bucks trailing them. All I see at the stand are does and fawns. Really looking forward to the rut getting underway. The season ends next weekend.
 
Driving on Hwy 43 right by Mayerthorpe this morning 11:20 and a gagger whitetail buck was chasing a doe, right alongside the busy highway. Steam just pouring off the buck and from his mouth. I'm not gonna say how big the deer was, driving and all, I couldn't judge it accurately, but it was a shooter for sure.
 
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