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2012 Rut Reports
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<blockquote data-quote="Sticky Stokes" data-source="post: 1989331" data-attributes="member: 24533"><p>Here is the ODWC's Rut Report for 2012 for anyone interested:</p><p></p><p><strong>For the Northwest & Northeast</strong></p><p></p><p>Nov. 15, 2012</p><p></p><p>A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation</p><p>Current deer rut activity at a glance</p><p></p><p> 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.</p><p></p><p> 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. </p><p>That's good news, according to Bartholomew, and hunters also have reason to look forward to the deer gun season opener this weekend.</p><p> "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."</p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>NORTHWEST</p><p></p><p> 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. </p><p>"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. </p><p>Eddie Wilson, wildlife biologist stationed at Cooper and Ft. Supply WMAs, reports an increase in fresh scrapes, but still little movement during daylight hours.</p><p>"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." </p><p>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.</p><p></p><p> 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."</p><p></p><p> "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."</p><p></p><p> 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. </p><p>Northwestern Oklahoma hunters may be in for a treat of heavy deer activity on opening weekend. </p><p></p><p>NORTHEAST</p><p></p><p> 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. </p><p> "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. </p><p>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."</p><p></p><p>Biologists say acorn production was sporadic in the region, but better than anticipated. Some persimmon production occurred as well.</p><p> "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."</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p>"Chased does will always act differently, especially looking behind them on several occasions," Endicott said.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Sticky Stokes, post: 1989331, member: 24533"] Here is the ODWC's Rut Report for 2012 for anyone interested: [U][/U][B]For the Northwest & Northeast[/B] 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. [/QUOTE]
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