Coues Whitetail "rut" ?

[Guest Guest_bacajwb]

My recent years of hunting whitetail, have me favoring the early rifle hunt

due to pre-hunt scouting. The hunting pressure has not yet moved the deer.

or maybe they are just a little less skiddish. Back to the topic, I have hunted whitetail all 3 rifle hunts Oct-Dec., the archery hunt in January, and still I have yet to see a coues buck that I was positive that he was interested in the does. My experiences have shown me that the more mature bucks run together. seperate of the does, I have read that the coues bucks shed their antlers later than other deer, Does this also mean that their rut is later. I'm quite sure the weather plays some role in this. But, how can the deer count on the weather.

As i entered the above question I recalled a hunt in late Dec. when my Bro-in-law had a rifle tag in 24A, I was asked to tag-along. unsuccessful in my rifle hunt, I bought an archery tag and carried my bow. A snowy ,foggy, windy, and a lil extra cold AZ. morning. For some reason we split our directions. As I was walking a fenceline, A nice buck and several does found me. Approx. 30 yd. exceptional chance for an archery whitetail( a dream i hope to someday fulfill) led to excuses of cold hands, wet arrows, and i just don't know how i missed. This I can say was my closest encounter with coues deer that might have been in rut. The in-law with the rifle tag

seen all does. No filled tags that year. No-matter its the chance to experience these times that keeps me hunting, Frost-bite and all. able to laugh about it now.

John

[AzPlumber]

If you have seen a mature Whitetail Buck with a Doe then you have seen some rutting activity. The mature Bucks will run alone or in small bachelor groups for most of the year until the breeding season when they seek out the Does.

 

What a great life - You get the urge just a few weeks out of the year seek out a few ladies and the rest of you time hang'n with guys BS'n and eat'n & drink'n whenever you want.

[catclaw]

I located 13 bucks Saturday while scouting and found already significant activity leading up to the rut. I watched does urinate in front of buck and the bucks would dash over and check it out then chase- or not chase the doe(s) around. These were the smaller 3points and the only shootable buck was with 2 other bucks and not quite ready to play- They may actually rut this year before the year is over!!!!

[CouesWhitetail]

I think they will be rutting earlier this year since I think we got some well-timed rains to help with plant growth for their nutrition. I can't wait! The weather has started turning cold. I could see my breathe tonight. And it rained quite a bit today.

 

Amanda

[hawkeye]

I did a lot of scouting this past week and I found a couple of nice bucks all by them selves. Usually this time of year I find the larger bucks hanging out with a smaller buck or two. Maybe they are starting to think about the rut, or maybe they were just loners. I did find one pretty nice buck with a doe, but they scented me and I didn't get to observe them very much.

On another note I saw a mountain lion last friday but forgot to buy a tag (I have one now). Also I have been seeing a lot of cat sign everywhere I have been scouting. Do you think the cats are getting more plentifull or just a coincidence?

 

Dave

[hawkeye]

I did a lot of scouting this past week and I found a couple of nice bucks all by them selves. Usually this time of year I find the larger bucks hanging out with a smaller buck or two. Maybe they are starting to think about the rut, or maybe they were just loners. I did find one pretty nice buck with a doe, but they scented me and I didn't get to observe them very much.

On another note I saw a mountain lion last friday but forgot to buy a tag (I have one now). Also I have been seeing a lot of cat sign everywhere I have been scouting. Do you think the cats are getting more plentifull or just a coincidence?

 

Dave

[hawkeye]

Sorry! hope this happy trigger finger isn't a sign of things to come

 

Dave