Arizona rut

[donniedent]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-12-07 AT 04:48PM (MST)[p]Just so everyone knows, I've been around for a long time. I had to get a new profile because the system would not allow me to log on as AZWALKER.

So, when do you fellow bow nuts think the rut will start up this year in the desert?? I can't hunt till Jan cuz I tagged one in Sep.

So I'm gonna be somewhere in the desert for 5 days on the first weekend in Jan. Should be a good time, theres a new moon that folowing Tuesday.

My guess is that it'll be in full swing come the first of Jan. depending on the weather... it needs to cool down a bit.

What do you guys think???

Donnie

 

[Wiszard]

Hey Donnie- Why can't you sign in as AZWALKER? Was that your last sign in name? If I were you, I'd contact Founder and ask if you can get your sign in name back. Just my thought!


Steve

Thanks again for the info on Area 17. It will come in handy.

 

[jasn]

The peak is usually around Jan 8-15 where I hunt, but other areas more north seem to be right after the new year? I tagged one this January, so its been a long wait for me too!

 

[donniedent]

I'm just hoping it cools down a bit by then so they'll rut a little harder. I've never taken this much time during the muley rut so I'm really looking forward to it. 5 days of uninterupted archery rut, I'm pumped! I'm trying to decide between 2 different units right now, they border each other but the areas I'd actually hunt are spread apart. I'm gonna be scouting every weekend from now till the hunt so that'll play alot on my choice. Good problem to have!!! I'll let everyone know what I'm seeing when we get a little closer to the hunt.


Donnie

 

[fugitive]

where I hunt its usually around the 1st through 15 of January but there isnt any tellin with how warm its been. past couple nights have been pretty cool so maybe we'll be seein some light.

 

[donniedent]

I have a strange feeling we're gonna get wet this year. I don't know why, I just do. We shall see though. What unit you hunting this year Fugitive??? I'll either be in 20b/c 42 or 44a depending on the day. I wish I could make the trip north but my old camper just doesn't stay very warm. Anyway, I'll keep everyone posted on what I see happening out there.


Donnie

 

[fugitive]

I'll be in 17b/a/18b

 

[donniedent]

Yeah, I love 17. I took my first shot at a deer with my bow in 17a when I was 16. I missed but I'll never forget it. Took a shot at a bobcat with my bow in there too. Grazed his head and he lived to be a "scarface". Good luck with your hunt and let us know what you see.

Donnie

 

[fugitive]

No problem. Theres a couple other guys on here were gonna try gettin one too.

 

[Idcurs]

I just got back from a trip down around Bouse and saw a couple big bucks chasing does pretty hard.I will be out next friday tring to put an arrow in one of them.The bucks necks were swelled up good and there were a lot of rubs around the water.The weather man says rain for this friday and saturday,he was right last week so we'll see???

 

[Hass]

First post, didn't know this site had a forum.

Anyway, been out the last 2 days in unit 23 just north of the lake. No deer on Friday but I got within 70 yards of a decent fork and 2 spikes on Sat. Bout 5 more steps and I would have got a shot. The fork was rutting pretty hard, and I got to see the 2 spikes try to fight with each other. Wish I would have had a video camera, It was interesting.

Anyone ever use a grunt call? I left mine at the truck and really wanted to try it today. Maybe tom. morning.

HASS

 

[AZWALKER]

Yeah, those little turds get all riled up before the big boys come out. If I were you I'd shoot one of those little guys and then hang it up till the first, then you'll see some action.

Donnie

 

[desertbucks]

I have hunted the desert for years for big desert bucks and my best luck has been right around Dec 27th. That is when I have seen the rut go on in the lower desert areas. I have been seeing small bucks like two points and spikes running with does but as for the big boys they seem to be solo or bachlered up.

 

[grizzlyplumber]

Trust me, the big boys in that area are rutting hard right now.

 

[ruthunter]

Ive been out almost everyday helping buddies,and weve taken some small bucks this december,but i can say the big bucks ive seen have been alone.I was fortunate to arrow a good buck in janurary of this year and the rut was on fire then. I expect the same for this jan.

 

[grizzlyplumber]

check the thread of my brothers az buck, he was all rutted up and had 6 does in tow, not very high elevation in the vicinity of Roosevelt lake yesterday.

 

[AZWALKER]

I think mostley what we're seeing now is little guys hanging with does and the big boys aren't quite fired up yet... mostly. Thats a nice buck you're brother took, tell him congrats.

I think this last cold front should get the big boys to at least start seeking a little bit. I don't think the bulk of the rutting will get done till Jan though.

I have a theory I've developed about the rut. You guys tell me what you think. I believe that areas with high deer numbers generally start to see rutting activity earlier than areas with lower populations.

Donnie