2012 Rut Reports

[AllOut]

I like to keep you on your toes Of all the bucks I saw at the water hole in the other post, only the shooter was really chasing a doe fairly hard, all those other bucks in the video came in together, although quite agitated with each other, we're not full swing yet.

That's better lol
You had me sweat'n last week!

You was all like, "they chase'n here out west"
And I was all like, "Dang! I'm here east"
And you was all like, "Sux to be you"
And I was all like, "please god not yet!"
And you was all like, "Ha Ha Ha"
And I was all like

.... So not funny

 

[Okie4570]

Lol, I'll wait till tomorrow to tell you that the rut is over out here, save your save your gas money, it's Mexico again or bust!

 

[dlbleak]

Had to attend a furneral in Bartlesville today, graveside was in Prague. So I travel from just NW of Enid to Bartlesville, Bartlesville to Prague(via Turner Turnpike/Stroud), after Prague down to I-40, west to OKC, North on I-35 to highway 412 and west past Enid. Probably around 450 miles, I saw two road kill deer, one small buck west of Bartlesville and a dead doe east of Shawnee on I-40. No live deer spotted. So if we're going by road kill to judge the rut, it aint happening.

between edmond and my place north of crescent, there are 3 dead does. when its full on the dead deer count is 5-7.

 

[dennishoddy]

This is my hunting buddy's buck he shot yesterday in NC ok.
Rut activity going on everywhere.

Click for video:
[Broken External Image]

 

[makeithappen]

Hunted Sunday afternoon, Monday morning, and yesterday morning. Saw all of 1 spike. Probably had 16 hours in all 3 hunts. I'm going to say the rut has yet to start. Bring on rifle season!

 

[tslabaugh]

Oh, I wish rifle season was on today! I had a brute scent checking the field for does. He never came closer than 80 yards. Had some does then later had a pair of fawns come in and feed about 10 yards in front of the feeder.

After all the girls left, a spike came running in with his nose on the ground, tongue hanging out, and hand in his pants. I harassed him with some bleats until he got sick of looking for the doe and headed off.

 

[r00s7a]

After all the girls left, a spike came running in with his nose on the ground, tongue hanging out, and hand in his pants.

bahahaha!

 

[fishfurlife]

Good day today. Only hunted this morning as I had church to tend to this evening.

Wind was all jacked around this morning from last nights forecasted winds, so I had to go to plan B this morning. Saw several does all by their lonesome. I found this odd.

Spotted a buck way off in the distance and thought I would try a bleat at him. It was dead calm and he was way the heck off up in the drainage above me. Two bleats and that dude was running, not jogging, to me. While he was running in, a young buck wandered to me. The bigger buck(shooter for me) was cutting tracks my way and went down in the draw about 200 yards out and cut a doe in a spot I couldn't see. She got his attention and they paralleled me. They went up in the draw and went to milling around. This made me cranky and I thought I could get in their way and knock him off. I let dinker leave from beneath me and I set off after him. Fast forward 45 minutes and I had cut the distance to 50 yards with a little help from the doe.

So there I was waiting for the shot to present itself and the buck just decided he was over it. He quit acting like a fool and walked the other way. Just left the doe there. I sat there crouched in disgust for a few minutes before I blew the doe out of there. I was Oooooooo so close.

I really think that he cut that doe thinking it was the one bleating. Then he jacked around with her long enough to figure out that he was wasting his time and moved on.

I am excited for what tomorrow will bring.

 

[1mathom1]

Saw them chasing around this morning at the corner of 19th and Western in Stillwater.

 

[Sticky Stokes]

Here is the ODWC's Rut Report for 2012 for anyone interested:

For the Northwest & Northeast

Nov. 15, 2012

A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Current deer rut activity at a glance

Deer rifle season kicks off Saturday, Nov. 17, and promises as usual to be the biggest day of the year for hunting in Oklahoma. Last year, rifle hunters accounted for 61 percent of the total deer harvest. Surveys indicate that last year, almost 153,000 hunters took part in the 16-day regular deer gun season alone. When taking into account the youth deer gun and holiday antlerless deer seasons, that number jumps to nearly 196,000.

According to Erik Bartholomew, big game biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the overall deer harvest this year is down slightly from last year, but antlerless deer harvest is up from where it was this time last year.
That's good news, according to Bartholomew, and hunters also have reason to look forward to the deer gun season opener this weekend.
"Field reports say the rut is ramping up in parts of the state," Bartholomew said. "There's no time like the present. The weather is supposed to be great, so get out there and enjoy the deer woods this weekend."
As Oklahoma moves into what is hopefully another great year for deer gun hunters, personnel with the Wildlife Department are offering information just in time on the most current rutting activity in regions across the state. The rut, or deer breeding season, is a biological process that typically occurs around mid November. Deer activity during the rut picks up, but the amount of activity can be influenced by a host of factors such as day length, temperatures, moon phase and herd conditions.

NORTHWEST

The northwest region of Oklahoma is known for big deer and good hunting, and so far Department personnel stationed in the region seem to agree that the rut could be well-timed with gun season.
"The rut should be going good by the opening of gun season," said Thad Potts, wildlife biologist stationed at Canton, Dewey County, Drummond Flats and Major County Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Potts as well as others have said that deer rutting behavior in northwest Oklahoma has been slow thus far, with some increased activity in the last few days.
Eddie Wilson, wildlife biologist stationed at Cooper and Ft. Supply WMAs, reports an increase in fresh scrapes, but still little movement during daylight hours.
"Hunter activity will be heavy opening weekend and throughout the week on the WMAs," Wilson said. "If the cool weather holds, bucks will most likely be very active during the entire nine day season, as rut is usually going on strong by the 20th of Nov. in the Woodward area. Hunters can focus on food plots areas and hope a hot doe will bring in a buck."
Wilson's reference to a "nine-day" season is a reminder to hunters that seasons on public lands may vary from the statewide 16-day gun season. For full details and dates for seasons on public lands, including a information on antlerless deer hunting days on both public and private lands, consult the current "Oklahoma Hunting Guide," available free online at wildlifedepartment.com.

Weston Storer, wildlife biologist stationed at Beaver River, Optima, Rita Blanca and Schultz WMAs reports that minimal rutting activity has been noted so far in the Panhandle counties, with a few exceptions of younger bucks "testing the waters." Storer said the majority of corn crops in his part of the region have been harvested and that deer "have been relocating to wheat fields."

"A good direction to start your hunt is to locate well utilized food and water sources to glass," Storer said, adding that if the rut is still not active the bucks may be hitting the wheat fields. "If a cold front starts the rut, the does will be going in the direction of the food sources. And the bucks will be hot after the does."

Larry Wiemers, biologist stationed at Cimarron Bluff and Cimarron Hills WMAs, also has noted a few bucks following does in the past week to two weeks, but heavy rutting activity has not yet been observed.
Northwestern Oklahoma hunters may be in for a treat of heavy deer activity on opening weekend.

NORTHEAST

In the northeast region of Oklahoma, the beginning stages of the rut have been underway, according to Craig Endicott, northeast region wildlife supervisor for the Department.
"Bucks were running hard in early muzzleloader season, but activity appeared to lessen toward the end of muzzleloader season," Endicott said, adding that the rut should peak between muzzleloader and gun season.
Endicott said deer movement has been reported as slow in the mornings and better in the afternoons, with lots of nocturnal activity. "The weather patterns and moon phase are effecting deer movements but in general, they seem to be feeding on acorns on timbered ridges and benches during the morning and mid day, then moving onto fields/food plots in the late evening," he said. "Deer activity will no doubt pick up with some fronts, rain and cooler temperatures."

Biologists say acorn production was sporadic in the region, but better than anticipated. Some persimmon production occurred as well.
"Hunters need to scout the areas they hunt for deer sign," Endicott said. "Scout for food sources and locate travel lanes, creek crossings or pinch points where bucks may be patrolling to locate a hot doe. Once a good area has been located, hunters must be patient and stay in the woods as long as they can."

On northeast Oklahoma WMAs, successful hunters will need to spend time scouting, but they can find good deer hunting. "There is good hunting on the WMAs, but with the high usage associated with these areas, hunters need to scout for some less used corners and back areas," Endicott said. "Remember to read up on the specific regulations for any WMA you may be hunting, and be respectful of other hunters."Endicott also suggests carrying a grunt call to use as a tool for stopping a buck on the move, allowing for a clean shot. Also, be alert for does that are being trailed by bucks.
"Chased does will always act differently, especially looking behind them on several occasions," Endicott said.