Go back to this year's reports
2009 Rut Report Archives
Posted by Russ on Nov 3rd, 2009
Went out morning of 11/3 and found several scrapes all at once that were not there 2 days prior. Still have not found many rubs on our land but seeing more defined trails and these scrapes. Benton County.
Posted by Jerry on Nov 6th, 2009
I have not seen much sign at all in southern madison county this season, very few rubs and 0 scrapes. However, found the first scrape this week. They are not rutting hard, if any, yet but they should be in the next couple of weeks IMO.
Posted by Caleb on Nov 6th, 2009
Got to disagree with you Jerry. I think they are about to start rutting hard, if not already. Have seen bucks chasing does 3 different times this week in diffferent areas of NWA. Keep your eyes open fellas the rut is starting and things should get good.
Posted by MIKE P on Nov 11th, 2009
I live outside of Rogers ar. It's on !!!!!!!!
Posted by Sam on Nov 14th, 2009
No big regularly maintained scrapes yet. Just the usual occasional territorial scrapes. Some chasing but this been the case for two weeks or so. Some of the old Does coming in but it is far from getting crazy yet. I suspect that the next weather front which drops the temp will spur it on. I live in Carroll co.
Posted by bill on Nov 15th, 2009
been finding a few scapes on a old logging road....but dont know about full rut yet...lots of shots in johnson county, on the first day. but having seen any buck with does yet
Posted by Sam on Nov 18th, 2009
OK, it is on here in Carroll county. The weather change has helped ignite it.
Posted by bran on Nov 19th, 2009
Lots of rubs , not many scrapes here in Wash Co....bucks don't seem to be chasing yet.
Posted by LUKE on Nov 27th, 2009
Been hunting in southern Washington county and have not seen much rut activity. Around the last week of October I watched a spike and four point chasing 3 does and thats about it. I have seen several average sized bucks, but thay are always by theirselves. Killed a 7 point 2 weeks ago, but he was just grazing for acorns all by his lonesome. There are several does in my area, maybe thats what the problem is. There is an old logging road that runs through my property and I have walked it alot this year searching for clues and have found hardly no signs, just 2 rubs.
Posted by Tammy on Nov 30th, 2009
I took an 8 point on Wednesday November 25th he had a doe about 300 yards in front of him but his hocks weren't dark(light tan) and his neck was not swollen. He had been rubbing.
Posted by John on Nov 30th, 2009
It seems the rut has gotten off to a slow start in Carroll county eventhough I have seen a fair share of bucks. The does have white and tan hocks and do not appear to be covered with estrous.
I saw one buck this morning, a spike at about 9:00 a.m. and saw 6 does.
How's everybody else doing in Carroll county?
I saw one buck this morning, a spike at about 9:00 a.m. and saw 6 does.
How's everybody else doing in Carroll county?
Posted by Jason on Dec 1st, 2009
Hunting in Carroll county has not been easy the last 3 weeks. No trail cam pics, feeder has not been hit, and seen alot of doe movement, and 2 small bucks. Don't know what has happened, but it makes for some very long days in the stand with nothing shootable. Mixed does, some dark quarters, but not many. Most of them have light rears. Does anyone have a clue???
Posted by John on Dec 1st, 2009
I am wondering if the peak of the rut happened during the warmer part of October into the first week of November.????? The bucks would have been chasing the does at night. I left Carroll County for the Thanksgiving holidays, however, I have not seen a buck chasing a doe, and I have spent some time in the trees surrounded by does. This year's rut has been strange to say the least. I do not understand what has been going on thus far. I am with the previous poster, Jason. What are other hunters experiencing in the woods? Dark quarters on the does? Swollen necks on the bucks?
Posted by Bud on Dec 3rd, 2009
I am in lavaca, and i have been reading west central's post and everybody says something different. I have hunted hard since october and i have scout alot, and the weirdest thing to me is, i have yet to find any scapes. i have found many rubs and i killed an 8 pt. the 14th of november and he was eating with a doe but he was not interested in her at all. People may think im stupid but after this last moon phase and this cold front....i think this weekend might be the one. I am very aware that this is oddly late but will see........ good luck
Posted by John on Dec 5th, 2009
I live and am hunting in Carroll County not too far from Eureka Springs, AR.
I took a 9 point in early November and a 9 point first week of December. Neither buck had a swollen neck. Neither of them were exhibiting rut behavior. I have seen many does I could have arrowed or shot in gun season. None of them had black hocks covered with urine and estrous.
I spoke with two seasoned hunters near Exeter, Missouri and they both told me this rut season has been the strangest they have ever experienced in their many hunting years. I agree with them as well in regards to the deer behavior in Northwest Arkansas. Something has interrupted the rut, and the deer are apparently going into rut not all at once, but individually, which is strange.
I have spent many hours in the woods since October, and I have not seen one buck chasing a doe, and I have seen quite a few bucks, and alot of does.
Anybody have a clue, as to what has caused the rut to be so different this year? I would appreciate hearing any theories, ideas or other hunter's experience this year in the woods.
I took a 9 point in early November and a 9 point first week of December. Neither buck had a swollen neck. Neither of them were exhibiting rut behavior. I have seen many does I could have arrowed or shot in gun season. None of them had black hocks covered with urine and estrous.
I spoke with two seasoned hunters near Exeter, Missouri and they both told me this rut season has been the strangest they have ever experienced in their many hunting years. I agree with them as well in regards to the deer behavior in Northwest Arkansas. Something has interrupted the rut, and the deer are apparently going into rut not all at once, but individually, which is strange.
I have spent many hours in the woods since October, and I have not seen one buck chasing a doe, and I have seen quite a few bucks, and alot of does.
Anybody have a clue, as to what has caused the rut to be so different this year? I would appreciate hearing any theories, ideas or other hunter's experience this year in the woods.
Posted by hiram on Dec 26th, 2009
Yes it has been weird this year! The rut seems to be sporatic as has been mentioned and I think it has been directly attributed to the weather changes in recent years. Too mild for the November month along with the rain fall in recent years it has affected the Turkey poult production too. No I am not promoting the global warming theory! I just think the mild temps cause the Deer to not be as active in years that have an adequate acorn crop. They can just stay in one place and not move a lot. These areas will contain food and water sources nearby. Bucks tend to lose their horns more in drastically cold weather in the latter part of January and early Feb. I think the time they start losing their antlers may have a signal as to the effects of the earlier mild weather. I am going to shed hunt early this year.
