Do big bucks rut different than smaller ones?

AndyJ · Oct 15, 2016

I have a CO 4th season rifle tag this year. The rut should be in full swing and I intend to hold out for a big one (180 or better). I am having some difficulty deciding how to hunt the area, more specifically how to find and hunt big bucks in the area. Should I expect to see big bucks in the open sage or do I want to focus on groups of does in timber or at least near timber and wait for a buck to come to them? Do you all notice that big mule deer bucks keep their guard up more than smaller bucks?

Thanks,
Andy

Founder · Oct 15, 2016

When they're on a hot doe, they're extremely dumb...whether an old buck or young. If they're just in search of a hot doe, they're moving and show themselves much more, but aren't as dumb and can disappear quickly. But, they typically rut in their somewhat small winter home area.
As for finding them.....cover lots of ground and look at lots of deer.

If there's lots of snow and the does are on the winter range and out in the open, then that's probably where you'll see bucks. If there's little to no snow, the deer could still be scattered and maybe still in timbered areas.

That's my opinion on most 4th season Colorado hunts, but isn't necessarily my opinion during all rut hunts. In some areas, where they get hunted hard, they're much more difficult to see because they're constantly being bumped.

Brian Latturner
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Tristate · Oct 15, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Oct-15-16 AT 08:11PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Oct-15-16 AT 08:10?PM (MST)

When rut is on I like to locate groups of girls and then hang far off of them. I will pick specific glassing spots at least 1000 meters away. I don't want them to ever feel molested possible. I check these groups hopefully each day. When the rut is on it's neat to see how often the deck gets shuffled and new bucks arrive. If another hunter steps on them normally they will be back to normal in 24 hours. If I am patient very often a big deer will turn up. Even though they are in rut the girl he is interested will usually bed and he will honor. Once that happens take the wind and make your move.

The most important factors in this technique is to be patient, stay far, and rely on quality optics. Good luck out there.

travishunter3006 · Oct 16, 2016

Hey tri, do you stay 1000 meters away from the girls because you think it's good or because of the court order?

nvbones · Oct 16, 2016

There is something very disturbing about what tri said.

Tristate · Oct 16, 2016

Be as disturbed as you want but that technique has killed quite a few large bucks. Let's try and not make this about how screwed up I am and help Andy punch a tag on a Colorado beast.

nvbones · Oct 16, 2016

I'll run with you on this one tri but what you said seems strange do to wording. I'm sure you have killed many large bucks and will take this for your content and not wording. Read back what you wrote and tell me it doesn't sound weird.

AndyJ · Oct 16, 2016

"I don't want them to ever feel molested possible. "

He said "molested". Get over it guys. He means it in the sense of bothered. Although it isn't the best description, I appreciate the good help. Please...I'm interested in advice, not bickering about semantics.

Captain_coues · Oct 16, 2016

I cant speak for Colorado but in AZ where the only rut hunt is archery, I would always see the biggest bucks with only one doe. Often times there was a spike or fork hanging around close by.

littlebighorn · Oct 17, 2016

Andy,
I hunted the rut in CO a few years ago and Founder's advice is very solid. He has hunted it more than I have. Be patient, cover lots of ground. Check every doe group for big bucks hanging close by, and if you get some weather they will definitely be low where the does are hanging out.
Best of luck. Post up some pics.