Late hunt question

[AZcountryboy520]

I was out last Saturday for the rifle hunt and was watching a fork chase a couple of does around for a few hours. I'm heading back out Thursday to finish out the hunt. My question is, should i go back to where I saw the fork chasing does?

[firstcoueswas80]

If there is a hot doe in the area, that is the place to be. All too often, those little guys THINK the does are hot, but they aren't yet. 

[bigorange]

I tend to hunt where I see bucks...I'd think this time of year there will be more than one around and on the move looking for does. On the early Dec hunt we saw a couple small bucks then 2 days later a nice larger one in the same spot.

[AZcountryboy520]

16 minutes ago, firstcoueswas80 said:

If there is a hot doe in the area, that is the place to be. All too often, those little guys THINK the does are hot, but they aren't yet. 

Yeah i figured it's still a little early for the rut. First time hunting the late season. I know some greats spots but the hill i was watching the fork on, is literally a few hundred yards from where I camp 🤣

[AZcountryboy520]

26 minutes ago, bigorange said:

I tend to hunt where I see bucks...I'd think this time of year there will be more than one around and on the move looking for does. On the early Dec hunt we saw a couple small bucks then 2 days later a nice larger one in the same spot.

That's awesome!  I've heard the smaller bucks usually move in first. Hopefully that giant coues buck will show up on Thursday.

[Big or Bust]

Just depends. Small bucks doing the chase means nothing. Big bucks still in summer/fall mode as of today.

The lack of rain likely means trickle rut.....

[AZcountryboy520]

11 minutes ago, Big or Bust said:

Just depends. Small bucks doing the chase means nothing. Big bucks still in summer/fall mode as of today.

The lack of rain likely means trickle rut.....

This drought sucks!  I don't think I've ever seen it so dry but at least I have plenty ground to cover. 

[trphyhntr]

Sit water. All of a sudden the drought is the best thing that’s ever happened. Small bucks on does is irrelevant. Small bucks breed hot does every year 

[AZcountryboy520]

22 minutes ago, trphyhntr said:

Sit water. All of a sudden the drought is the best thing that’s ever happened. Small bucks on does is irrelevant. Small bucks breed hot does every year 

I plan on it! That's the only good thing about the drought.

[dustin25]

I haven’t  been out in weeks but absolutely they can be rutting now or start rutting at anytime, lot of years Christmas is right around the time some rut action becomes noticeable. Last year was not one of those years

[oz31p]

Who knows . Any spot is as good as the next 

[AZcountryboy520]

5 minutes ago, oz31p said:

Who knows . Any spot is as good as the next 

That's for sure

[AZcountryboy520]

38 minutes ago, dustin25 said:

I haven’t  been out in weeks but absolutely they can be rutting now or start rutting at anytime, lot of years Christmas is right around the time some rut action becomes noticeable. Last year was not one of those years

Hopefully this is the year! First time with a late tag,  so I'm hoping for a good outcome. I know the area really well and plan on putting miles on the boots

[oz31p]

1 minute ago, AZcountryboy520 said:

Hopefully this is the year! First time with a late tag,  so I'm hoping for a good outcome. I know the area really well and plan on putting miles on the boots

That’s the best plan , hike and glass. Don’t be married to a spot

[CatfishKev]

2 hours ago, trphyhntr said:

Sit water. All of a sudden the drought is the best thing that’s ever happened. Small bucks on does is irrelevant. Small bucks breed hot does every year 

This right here. I absolutely hate sitting water and blinds but when water is scarce it can be gold.  I believe I have a killer spot for mid January and I can't wait.