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Slow lousy rut/season

Joel

Senior Member
3,050
124
Centerburg, Ohio
I had one pretty good day and then an awesome day as far as rut activity and then a few days of small ones cruising mid day. Just depends where you are and how many deer are in your woods or close by I suppose. Best day for me so far was November 13th.
 
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Bigcountry40

Member
4,740
127
I havent seen a mature buck chase this year, all little guys. seen 120 in second week of october 15 yards, and a 140 100 yards away Oct 20th checking a scrap other than that nothing mature buck wise.

I've hunted Tuscarwaras, Erie, Sandusky and Seneca Counties
 

Mao

Member
1,695
109
Coshocton, OH
Worst rut I have ever experienced. I have logged a lot of hours since Halloween. I think I spent the vast majority of my time in the field during lock down. I always get sucked into thinking right around the 10th will be prime time to be out. Recent years have shown that is when lock down is occurring where I hunt.
 

lung buster

Senior Member
2,666
106
hocking county
It's been a pretty decent rut in our area. Drew has had a shooter within range 4 times. We rattled in several small bucks early on and seen one good chase where it ended with drew wounding the buck. Definitely had less action in years past.
 

Jal5

Junior Member
151
37
First year I can remember where I didn’t see a great chase going on. I’ve seen a little rutting activity but not as much as one would hope for.

Same idea from me. I definitely think EHD last year put a real hurt on the herd in Jefferson Co.
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
40,322
288
Ohio
Seems average. Some guys covered in it. Others seeing nothing. Isn't that the rut? Got to be in the right spot at the right time? I was done before rut. . .or was I? I believe it started earlier than normal. I killed mine Oct 21 (I think) and shot a dinosaur. I've only seen him from the stand once since 2012 when I first started getting pics of him. He was chasing then in 2015. With 4 does in the field he came out early to check them. Im considering that an early start for the rut in our area. No other reason he shows his face in daylight. He was extremely nocturnal. Yet, Cousin Bubba and I rattled in his buck last week. Earlier this week my buddy rattled in a 140 class 8pt that was killed by another hunter he didn't know was hunting until he watched the guy tracking. The guy thanked him. Lol. Talk about a punch in the dick.

I'm saying it was an early start with a trickle rut. Just my guess.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Today is the day boys. Some lucky kid will have the hunt of their life today around a hot doe and will forever be hooked. That same kid will share that experience/story with his friends and they will forever chase this thing we call “the rut” until they’re to old to chase them anymore.

25 years ago I found out what buck fever was...you’d think after 25 years you could shake that, NOPE! I hope to feel that adrenaline rush again soon.