"Mule Deer rut"

zslayer · Dec 9, 2007

I was out today watching and looking for mule deer and seen some rut activity I think the weather we are getting is going to set them off early this year anybody else see anything going on?

AZWALKER · Dec 9, 2007

Not seeing anything yet. What elevation were you at??? Desert or mountains? What kind of activity were you seeing?

Donnie

zslayer · Dec 9, 2007

AZWALKER,

I was at about 3500ft elev. I seen a 3x4 pushing a few does and he was chasing off a small 2x2 I watched that go on for about an hour then I saw a 4x4 with some does but didn't get to keep an eye on them for too long because it got dark, What about you have you been out lately if so where at?

CAnAZbwhnter · Dec 10, 2007

Glad to hear its started! I was at around 3000-3500 yesterday but didnt get to spend enough time out there to find anything significant. You guys going out for the opener this weekend? Im hoping those bucks are chasing the does come Friday!

AZWALKER · Dec 10, 2007

I'm hunting low desert this year(every year). I haven't seen any rut action yet and I'm hoping it won't get going down here till the first of Jan. I can't hunt till then because I got a buck in Sep. They usually get going a few weeks ahead the farther north you go. I'll be out again Sun and I'll let you know what I see.

Donnie

JJTMD · Dec 14, 2007

They have done rutted where I'm at. 5000ft elevation but quite a bit further north and east(same longitude as Strip country). They where done up here by early Dec.

AZWALKER · Dec 15, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Dec-15-07 AT 08:32AM (MST)[p]I was out yesterday @ 2500' Nothing rutting yet. Saw 8 does' running together joined by a little spike. If they were rutting, any bucks would've chased that little dude off or picked him up as a buddy. Anything north of the Grand Canyon should already be done. Unit 10 is probably going now. The Prescott area will be hit or miss but should be going within a week maybe 2. The deserts won't get going till Jan. I was concerned that they might go early because of the Dec new moon and the weather, but they aren't. We shood see the seeking stage start in the desert around the 28th to the 1st.

Donnie

maddglasser · Dec 17, 2007

Yeah Donnie same goes for me. I have been out a bunch but still seeing small bachelor groups of bucks. We might see some a little early but still pretty much going to be mid Jan down here.
Travis

hunter1 · Dec 17, 2007

well my big buck has 16 does now and watched 2 smaller bucks fight for 9 does yesterday morning they sure were tearing in to each other. but the serious stuff will start 2nd week of jan. this was out on the desert floor.travis were still working the giant travis hopeing to have a round in him by the end of the week.

maddglasser · Dec 17, 2007

About when are you goin to head out? We will be hunting this week for a while but let me know if you can Dale. I will give a call tonite or tomorrow

AZWALKER · Dec 17, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Dec-17-07 AT 05:20PM (MST)[p]Travis, how you doing buddy??? Been what, about a year??? I'm hunting out your way this year. Maybe I'll see ya out there. I sent you an e-mail to your website but you may not have gotten it. Anyway, good luck this year.

Donnie

Sent you a PM

maddglasser · Dec 18, 2007

Hey bud,
Let me know when and where and we will hook up. Saw another bachelor group down here today. No sign of rut yet

ruthunter · Dec 21, 2007

Ive been hunting the desert low lands ,and the rut hasn't started in full swing down here yet.Usually around christmas week the rut gets good.

desertbucks · Dec 21, 2007

I have seen your 150" to 160" bucks in solo action for the most part. I did see two small 4x4 bucks maybe 130" with does but the big boys have not interrupted the small bucks yet, just wait until after Christmas and look out because it will be on big time. Again the small bucks have bunched up with the does. This is what I have observed in the lower desert region. Dont get me wrong a 130" 4x4 is a nice buck but we all want the 160" or bigger. Dan

zslayer · Dec 21, 2007

Hey guys,

Just got back from the southern desert last night I was down there for five days and no luck the rut still has a few more weeks lots of does by themselves, But for the good part I went out this morning close to home (Prescott) and saw that the rut is getting ready to take off I seen 6 bucks all chasing does pretty hard but no shots hopefully tomorrow!!!

desertbucks · Dec 25, 2007

The rut is in full swing guys. I heard of a 182" 4x4 taken up in Prescott Valley and a 170" 4x4 in the tanks. Any one know of any big bucks taken this Dec?

hunter1 · Dec 25, 2007

hey guys the rut has not kicked in on the western desert units here in az yet i am out everyday and the big bucks are not with the does yet, i have seen some small bucks with does and sparing but the big bucks arent even looking at the does yet. it is still 2 or so weeks out yet. no offense desertbucks. i have heard that up north things are going better but i dont no that for a fact because all my time is spent in the 40's units i will stay updated as i find more.

mesquitehunter · Dec 25, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Dec-25-07 AT 11:28PM (MST)[p]I was on the desert floor glassin' like a madman and didn't see any of you! But I did see a bunch of does fightin', and a group of bucks humpin each other like gay porn stars. From what I've seen I have a sneekin' hunch the rut may start between now and the end of Feb.

hunter1 · Dec 25, 2007

now that was funny right there.

brento78 · Dec 26, 2007

>The rut is in full swing
>guys. I heard of a
>182" 4x4 taken up in
>Prescott Valley and a 170"
>4x4 in the tanks. Any
>one know of any big
>bucks taken this Dec?

Which unit was the 182" taken in? 19A is Prescott Valley and that unit is not open now. Must be 20A???

ruthunter · Dec 26, 2007

IT IS CONFIRMED I TALKED WITH TC FROM PRESSCOTT VALLEY ARCHERY AND HE HAS PICTURES OF THAT 182" BUCK WHICH WAS KILLED LAST WEEK. CONGRATS TO THAT HUNTER.I DO KNOW OF A 165" THAT WAS TAKING OPENING WEEKEND FROM THE TANKS.

desertbucks · Dec 26, 2007

>hey guys the rut has not
>kicked in on the western
>desert units here in az
>yet i am out everyday
>and the big bucks are
>not with the does yet,
>i have seen some small
>bucks with does and sparing
>but the big bucks arent
>even looking at the does
>yet. it is still 2
>or so weeks out yet.
>no offense desertbucks. i have
>heard that up north things
>are going better but i
>dont no that for a
>fact because all my time
>is spent in the 40's
>units i will stay updated
>as i find more.

The rut is on in unit 20B and unit 21. Wickenburg area is usaually in Jan.