when do mule deer go into the rut?

[82ndreddevil]

I am not new to deer hunting, been doing it all my life with exception to the years I go elk hunting instead. Being a rifle hunter I never have heard much about when the mule deer go into the rut though. Also, if you are wearing any doe urine in your spot will a buck tend to move in fast or slow? I am afraid I have become more familiar with elk over the years than deer.

 

[alby]

Here in western Colorado mid Nov is about rut time. That why 4th season has become a popular tag to draw.

 

[270winshort]

Colorado, Utah,Wyoming,Montana, Idaho first week of november and winding down around thanksgiving to the end of nov. arizona new mexico starts later more dec. the further south you go the later the rut starts mexico starts in jan,as for the doe pee they wont react to it like a whitetail, they will be more cautious, hope this helps just my 2 cents worth

 

[82ndreddevil]

That was actually very helpful, thanks for the feedback. My hunt is in late November, so I think ill just stick to scanning terrain for my hunt.

 

[Scot E]

In Idaho it is getting started right now. My son drew a tag for deer in Oct and we shot one on the 30th. Bucks were already starting to search for does and a few of the bigger ones were already nose to butt on the does!

Keep in mind that in many areas there are rutting grounds where deer congregate for breeding. There may be few deer in this area all year but you can find a lot during the rut. My point is to start scouting now cause you may find them in placing you haven't earlier in the year and they may not be where you saw them this summer.

 

[Triple BB]

Last year where I was hunting in Idaho the deer were rutting heavy by the 10th of Nov. I shot my buck after watching him fight another buck for several minutes. Hunting deer last weekend here in WY, the bucks had swollen necks and we saw a couple chasing does.

 

[SBruce]

Yes, here where I am they are already in what some call the "pre rut" maybe. The big and mature bucks have come out of hiberation so to speak, and are following the does wherever they go.......even right up to the houses! I haven't actually seen any real true breeding yet, but I've seen the nose to tail activity and the nose in the air while rolling the head back and forth with the ears all laid back...........it's got a name, but I forgot it

Past years I've seen the actual breeding around Thanksgiving a few times, and the bucks still seem to hang with the does into December.

Interesting side note, some say that once a buck gets past their prime, they no longer breed.? Also heard tell that they actually grow their biggest antlers once they quit chasin tail. Supposedly, they waist way less energy once at that point in their lives, and they aren't caught in the trap of chasing and grow bigger racks because of that.?
Once peter get smaller, belly grow bigger...........??
Seems logical though. Hell even us horny old men loose interest at some point.......we still look, just don't have the ambition to chase it anymore!!

 

[HARPERC]

I think "Flehmen response" is the word for that lip curl, eyes rolled, nose in the air posture if you're a biology type. The old timer that got me started hunting said it was the buck trying to convince his buddies it wasn't any good. I'll likely remember the latter longer than the former

 

[SBruce]

I think "Flehmen response" is the word for that lip curl, eyes rolled, nose in the air posture if you're a biology type. The old timer that got me started hunting said it was the buck trying to convince his buddies it wasn't any good. I'll likely remember the latter longer than the former

HA HA HAAA, LMAO.........That's good. It does kinda resemble what we do if we smell something bad huh? Good Laugh to start the day off right!

 

[Scot E]

Yes, here where I am they are already in what some call the "pre rut" maybe. The big and mature bucks have come out of hiberation so to speak, and are following the does wherever they go.......even right up to the houses! I haven't actually seen any real true breeding yet, but I've seen the nose to tail activity and the nose in the air while rolling the head back and forth with the ears all laid back...........it's got a name, but I forgot it

Past years I've seen the actual breeding around Thanksgiving a few times, and the bucks still seem to hang with the does into December.

Interesting side note, some say that once a buck gets past their prime, they no longer breed.? Also heard tell that they actually grow their biggest antlers once they quit chasin tail. Supposedly, they waist way less energy once at that point in their lives, and they aren't caught in the trap of chasing and grow bigger racks because of that.?
Once peter get smaller, belly grow bigger...........??
Seems logical though. Hell even us horny old men loose interest at some point.......we still look, just don't have the ambition to chase it anymore!!

LOL! All the more time for shooting right!

 

[SBruce]

LOL! All the more time for shooting right!

Absolutely!! Funny how once we quit chasin that tail, we end up with more money in the bank and more time to shoot and hunt.

 

[Scot E]

Absolutely!! Funny how once we quit chasin that tail, we end up with more money in the bank and more time to shoot and hunt.

If you could bottle and patent that idea and sell it to teens you would be a rich man! Course none would probably buy it! They would be convinced they new a better way!

 

[sp6x6]

My son watched 6 bucks and a few does, whitey behind house tonight. 2 spared and a nice 4x4 caught horns in the rear by the dominant buck. This is prime time for muleys where I live and whiteys about a week later prime,

 

[270 lefty]

Best buck I killed was November 11th also one of the easiest. All he had on his mind were the 15 or so does with him. mid to 3rd week of November is the Peak but the whole Month is pretty good.
not all states offer Muley hunting during the rut. My home state Utah the season ends in late October unless you have lots of $$$ (Govener tag)or a Lucky sob and draw a special tag.(sportsman tag)