Lockdown question?

[Bowman]

For you whitetail experts that deal more with a more mature herd than I do, had a basic question?

I understand lockdown for the most part in areas with good mature buck numbers usually don't occur until later in Nov. My question, is it possible in my area with very few mature bucks to be considered locked down already? I know this sounds crazy to most, but take in consideration, very few mature bucks where I hunt.

As I've been hearing reports earlier in the week of people seeing mature ones chasing, and have heard of a couple good ones taken while chasing? And while I was out hunting the last few days hunting I'm thinking to myself this is as bad as the lockdown stage as I'm seeing little bucks roaming and saw a couple yearlings alone? I know it's usually the younger bucks starting first, but something just seems amiss this year, with an earlier start than normal. I personally do not think mature bucks spend much time chasing like younger ones unless they are really close. As most claim it's the same time each year, but do not buy into that theory, as I do believe the peak can vary a week or two from year to year. Tell me no, but man it surely seems like our small number of mature bucks, might already be on hot ones and not moving, not a complete lockdown but a temporary one ,I guess is what I'm asking?Thanks

 

[Cogz]

I subscribe to the theory that it is probably a bell curve situation with both does and bucks in terms of when they get charged up, how quickly she gets bred, when she’s receptive, how much immediate competition is there, etc. I also believe that if you’re hunting in OH, it is very likely that you are hunting within multiple mature bucks’ ranges. What you’re experiencing sounds like typical october lull/early pre rut activity.

It’s also super normal to hear of another hunter seeing activity and compare - but consider how many folks are posting to say “hey saw nothing”. That number is far higher. Maybe certain areas have younger does come in early and there’s an uptick, but consider a pro hunter who shot a radio collared buck in KS. The data showed a 9.1 sq miles (6,000 acres) core area for that buck. Now that’s KS and next to a refuge - even if that number is 1/6th lower for bucks in your “area”, consider your stands and the 1000 surrounding acres. There will be mature bucks cruising at some point in your area.

Lockdown happening doesn’t necessarily mean a small buck didnt have a bigger one ring his bell so he got the girl, it’s a combo of when she came into estrous, when he found and competed for her, who was in the area to compete with him, when she becomes receptive and when they finish breeding. It could be different for each deer or each area every year, but the averages stay the same IMO. Done rambling I need to look for deer!

 

[bigten05]

October lull. The calm before the storm. My cams are showing new bucks and bigger bucks moving thru at night. This weather and the full moon gets out of here and it will be on.

 

[md1]

No.

 

[giles]

Is it starting earlier or are people hunting earlier because of the weather? I think this happens every year, the same way, the same times...it’s the people that change. This year is no different. More people are in the woods earlier because the weathers been perfect for it, there for, they’re seeing more action.

 

[Bowman]

I also believe that if you’re hunting in OH, it is very likely that you are hunting within multiple mature bucks’ ranges. What you’re experiencing sounds like typical october lull/early pre rut activity.

No, this is PA, I realize a good mature one could roam in from Ohio, but realistically it's hard to see a 130 or better just from pics and spotting and the hunting I've done here over the years, just not many good ones here on Public.

 

[Bowman]

Is it starting earlier or are people hunting earlier because of the weather? I think this happens every year, the same way, the same times...it’s the people that change. This year is no different. More people are in the woods earlier because the weathers been perfect for it, there for, they’re seeing more action.

Don't want to get in a debate when it's starts, but I'm some kind of a believer in the Charles Alzhiemier theory, where it can vary a week or two each year?

But even putting the theory aside, some have witnessed and taken mature ones around here chasing, which tells me it started earlier? Only because I'm a firm believer mature bucks will not run does way before they are ready like young bucks do.

 

[Cogz]

No, this is PA, I realize a good mature one could roam in from Ohio, but realistically it's hard to see a 130 or better just from pics and spotting and the hunting I've done here over the years, just not many good ones here on Public.

What part of PA are you in?

 

[Iowa_Buckeye]

Lockdown? It’s still the lull in my book. Hardly any dinks even chasing.

 

[Bowman]

What part of PA are you in?

Mainly hunt the gamelands in South Beaver area.

 

[Bowman]

Lockdown? It’s still the lull in my book. Hardly any dinks even chasing.

Not saying a true lockdown as most know it, just asking if it is possible for areas with few matures ones to be in a temporary lockdown because they have found hot does?

 

[Iowa_Buckeye]

If there happens to be a doe in estrus now there will be a buck with her. But they will be very few and far between this time of year and will have no real impact on hunting.

 

[md1]

Not saying a true lockdown as most know it, just asking if it is possible for areas with few matures ones to be in a temporary lockdown because they have found hot does?

Every doe in heat a buck can be locked down. This happens from Oct 20- January whenever fawns come in. I'd compare ur lock down issue to January conditions. Some does take seconds to breed some days(I think). I only ever see mature bucks during "lockdown" for the most part.....I can't wait for lockdown.......young bucks getting whacked on the roads big ones are being seem here and there. It's close.....oct27......it'll bust loose in northern oh any day.....

 

[giles]

And what I’m saying is that more people are out to see this and take the deer.

 

[Bowman]

[QUOTE="Bowkills, post: 642349, member: 5129" I only ever see mature bucks during "lockdown" for the most part.....I can't wait for lockdown.....[/QUOTE]

That's different, guess different areas can vary, as you obviously must have a good doe holding area? I know over the years hunting Public here, most of the mature ones I have seen were roaming by themselves, or chasing.

 

[md1]

[QUOTE="Bowkills, post: 642349, member: 5129" I only ever see mature bucks during "lockdown" for the most part.....I can't wait for lockdown.....

That's different, guess different areas can vary, as you obviously must have a good doe holding area? I know over the years hunting Public here, most of the mature ones I have seen were roaming by themselves, or chasing.[/QUOTE]
It's all open very little cover.

 

[Carpn]

Short answer is that yes, the bigger deer are gonna grab up the first does and lock down first . By the time you see widespread chasing they are locked down

 

[Hortontoter]

Interesting question and great replies. These are the type of posts I like to read here. My theory is that the time the rut, lock down, chasing, seeking and breeding occur varies from year to year. I've always felt the best time to be in the woods is the 21 day period from 10/25 - 11/15. Some where in that time will be peak activity of some sort, whether it be seeking, chasing or breeding.

 

[cspot]

Like it is said above anytime there is a doe in heat you can have lockdown in that area. Does start coming in the beginning of Oct but that percentage is and it is like a bell curve with most being bred in mid November. When you do get a doe that comes in early, it can take about every buck in the area and they will be near her. Some people call it a breeding party because you may have a half dozen bucks or more near her. That doesn't happen alot in my experience. If you happen to be in the middle of this, boy can it be alot of fun.

In my experience there is always a crappy time that you go thru this week. You will see some movement at night on trail cams, but daylight activity is pretty minimal and is mainly scrub bucks and it seems like the doe aren't moving alot because the buck are starting to harass them. This ends up for alot of nights of not seeing much of anything. In my experience usually sometime around Nov 4-10 you get a couple of days with all kinds of activity. This is my favorite time to hunt.

Now I agree with Iowa Buckeye about one thing when true lockdown occurs in mid November it can be a great time to see a mature buck. You won't see as much activity, but if you catch a buck leaving one doe and looking for the next it is a great time to get him.

Now as far as where you are hunting. You are hunting not far from me as I am northern Washington. In many areas around here there simply isn't a mature buck or very many mature buck in the area. The buck I killed this year in PA is the first 3.5 year old or older that I have had in several years on our place.