2017 Whitetail Rut Predictions

[Trapper79]

For those of you that like to forecast the White tail Rut based on Almanac's, biology, moon phase or just pure science based on previous years; let's start a discussion based on what you think when the rut will start this year and why

[DiabeticKripple]

2nd week of Nov.

It's the same every year

[catnthehat]

Basically speaking the rut time depends on the amount of light taken on through the retina once a deer becomes of age

White tails down in the southern States will rut earlier and longer than the deer up here .
Deer down on the equator can come into rut danged near anytime of the year year because of the amount sunlight during the year is so even
Cat

[Slicktricker]

Nov 15-31 my favourite time of year

[beaver hunter]

15-21

[Dick284]

It will coincide with the photo period.

For Central Alberta that will be + or - a couple of days from the 17th of November.

Intensity will be dictated by herd dynamics, food source availability, and other things like predator pressure, weather, and lunar phase.

Not all areas or locales will exhibit the same type of rut intensity, due to the above variables, the science is very impericale that the photo period will result in the majority of mature does coming into their first estrus at or around the 17th.

Depending how the variables stack up the 17th may or may not be the be all best date to be hunting. If a dominant buck locks down his hot and ready does in the ugly thick timber the hunting on those days may actually be kind of slow. But if the social hierarchy of that herd is in flux those days could be crazy with all sorts of daylight movement and lots of opportunities.
If the herd has many younger first time into estrus does, or perhaps many of the does are scattered and the like, later in the month could be better due to a larger number of does that would come into second estrus.

Your best bet is putting lots of hours in your stand, book off as much time as you can, and set a plan and work it.

[Ultimate Predator]

If i could only hunt WT for 3 days it would be the 19-21!

[Bisch]

Originally Posted by DiabeticKripple

2nd week of Nov.

It's the same every year

Except last year.. first week of Dec

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by Bisch

Except last year.. first week of Dec

It was the 18th of November in my area!

See, my point about herd dynamics.
Intensity is determined by it.
The estrus cycle is determined by the photo period.
Second estrus and its influence on rut intensity is purely driven by herd dynamics.

[Rather Be Hunting]

Originally Posted by dick284

it will coincide with the photo period.

For central alberta that will be + or - a couple of days from the 17th of november.

Intensity will be dictated by herd dynamics, food source availability, and other things like predator pressure, weather, and lunar phase.

Not all areas or locales will exhibit the same type of rut intensity, due to the above variables, the science is very impericale that the photo period will result in the majority of mature does coming into their first estrus at or around the 17th.

Depending how the variables stack up the 17th may or may not be the be all best date to be hunting. If a dominant buck locks down his hot and ready does in the ugly thick timber the hunting on those days may actually be kind of slow. But if the social hierarchy of that herd is in flux those days could be crazy with all sorts of daylight movement and lots of opportunities.
If the herd has many younger first time into estrus does, or perhaps many of the does are scattered and the like, later in the month could be better due to a larger number of does that would come into second estrus.

Your best bet is putting lots of hours in your stand, book off as much time as you can, and set a plan and work it.

x2
rbh

[DiabeticKripple]

Shot a buck in 2015 Nov 11 and he was all rutted up.

Big swollen neck, pee all over himself, came in about a km to my calls.

[bb356]

nov 21 - 25 is prime time in the Peace Country !!!

[bucksnbears]

Same area/same time every year( weather s the main factor)
Warm weather can suppress daytime movement.

[Twisted Canuck]

Originally Posted by bb356

nov 21 - 25 is prime time in the Peace Country !!!

That's my experience as well, although a few days either side of that isn't earth shattering strange either. The local cougar seems to have cleaned my patch out pretty good this year, not seeing many deer compared to previous years. Dammit. Hopefully can get a bit of venison in the freezer anyway.

[whitetail Junkie]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Predator

If i could only hunt WT for 3 days it would be the 19-21!

For me it would be the 3 days in November with the most snow and coldest weather... but I guess you would have to take the entire month off to make sure them stars aligned

[bucksman]

Originally Posted by Bisch

Except last year.. first week of Dec

first week of Dec?! where do you live

[Salavee]

Is there a difference between the general rut and peak rut period ?

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by Salavee

Is there a difference between the general rut and peak rut period ?

Are guys equating "the rut" to buck activity only?
Or are they equating it to the whole breeding process? (Does coming into estrus)

Peak of the rut is when the majority of the does will likely get bred.

What some guys figure is peak as dictated by buck activity alone is quite often post rut behaviour.(running around trying to get that last hot doe, or chasing does who aren't yet in estrus)

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by Salavee

Is there a difference between the general rut and peak rut period ?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Dick284

Are guys equating "the rut" to buck activity only?
Or are they equating it to the whole breeding process? (Does coming into estrus)

Peak of the rut is when the majority of the does will likely get bred.

What some guys figure is peak as dictated by buck activity alone is quite often post rut behaviour.(running around trying to get that last hot doe, or chasing does who aren't yet in estrus)

And pre peak-breeding....

The "Rut" runs from when bucks shed their velvet until they lose their antlers.

The breeding season is more restricted.


Greater visibility is often due to fewer does being receptive, which happens both before and after the main conception period.

In my area, Nov. 10 is the day the bucks first go wild, start running around all stupid. Nov. 19-23 is when most does are receptive, which leads to more bucks being "occupied" and less visible. Then the bucks have to search again for some love....

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Are guys equating "the rut" to buck activity only?
Or are they equating it to the whole breeding process? (Does coming into estrus)

Peak of the rut is when the majority of the does will likely get bred.

What some guys figure is peak as dictated by buck activity alone is quite often post rut behaviour.(running around trying to get that last hot doe, or chasing does who aren't yet in estrus)

Agreed . It seems many are relating the "peak" rut to Buck activity only. Lots of breeding takes place before that, beginning in mid October. Dominant bucks seem to stay with the resident Does in their territory until the party is over and then take to rambling into other territories, often miles away from home. This phase is often considered the "peak" and can last well in to December. Subordinate Bucks are on the go pretty much all the time during the rut. My observations anyway.

[bonecollector10]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

Yes.



And pre peak-breeding....

The "Rut" runs from when bucks shed their velvet until they lose their antlers.

The breeding season is more restricted.


Greater visibility is often due to fewer does being receptive, which happens both before and after the main conception period.

In my area, Nov. 10 is the day the bucks first go wild, start running around all stupid. Nov. 19-23 is when most does are receptive, which leads to more bucks being "occupied" and less visible. Then the bucks have to search again for some love....

bang on for where I live

[SPIKEHORN]

Last year on the 19th (in 248) by the time I climbed in my stand until noon I saw 12 bucks all either chasing does or nose to the ground. I killed the 12th one, and saw a few more tracking my buck. What a day. I agree the 15th to the 20th is my best time.

[peakseeker]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Predator

If i could only hunt WT for 3 days it would be the 19-21!

1000% agree!!

[waterman73]

I always like the second and third week in November.

[The moose]

I see the most bucks during daylight second week of nov.

[5k8ta]

Isn’t it always the same time every year?

[58thecat]

The rut will start and when it does you better be out in the bush...it's a few days of complete chaos, bucks you never seen before show up in broad daylight so no naps!

[srs123]

When?

[CNP]

Originally Posted by Slicktricker

Nov 15-31 my favourite time of year

No deer have been killed on 31 Nov

[DJS]

Originally Posted by 5k8ta

Isn’t it always the same time every year?

Yes it is. Maybe a day or two off but always the same. I’d agree with most guys here...in Alberta 17-21 prime time.