Blacktail rut timing?

[kitnayakwa77]

Anyone seeing any signs of the blacktail rut starting to kick in?
I have seen bucks acting goofy around Halloween but was wondering when it typically sets in? I haven't seen any fresh rubs yet but thinking it must start soon..

[stixnstones]

It’s on Halloween. Killed many bucks on that day.

[ryanonthevedder]

In chilliwack it’s usually December and January.... so don’t bother coming this way in November

[ratherbefishin]

deer rutting activity on Vancouver island seem to peak about the end of October,and succeeding minor ruts every month until the end of December

[MAMMOET]

1st to 2nd week in November is rut mid island.
Pre rut is end of October in my opinion depending on elevation.

[Bugle M In]

Probably nothing wrong with getting ready soon to get out there.
I have noticed over the years, many bucks, be it BT, MD or WT seem to get dropped right near the end of Oct and beginning of
November.
Why?
My thought is that they are "on the move", meaning they haven't quite settled in on the does they want to breed, but are starting to get ready to head out, dropped down, what have you.
Although during the rut, some bucks will "hit and run", meaning breed a doe here, and then go over there looking for the next one in heat.
Looks like your in the Skeena however, so cant tell you exactly when it kicks in.

[180grainer]

I'm surprised by some of the responses. I'd always assumed because of geography, Blacktail were the last of the deer in BC to start their rut which would put it into December. Maybe I've had it wrong all these years.

[ryanonthevedder]

I'm surprised by some of the responses. I'd always assumed because of geography, Blacktail were the last of the deer in BC to start their rut which would put it into December. Maybe I've had it wrong all these years.
A good friend took his first deer (BT) chasing a pack of does on December 15

[Bigdoggdon]

Deer at the lower elevations seem to rut first, late Oct - early Nov. Higher elevations will rut later mid-late Nov even into Dec.

[ratherbefishin]

I live where I can observe deer activity daily
There actually an early rut,end of September accounting for the big fawns you see,then the main rut a month later when the bulk of th3 does are bred,the The does that didn’t get bred come in again a month later,and even some the end of December, accounting for the very small fawns you see.Generaly they don’t survive the winter unless in lower elevations

[Harvest the Land]

Interesting observations ratherbefishin. Are you observing this activity in Region 2?

[180grainer]

Deer at the lower elevations seem to rut first, late Oct - early Nov. Higher elevations will rut later mid-late Nov even into Dec.
I was thinking it was more about the length of light during the day being a big factor. A lot of animals go into heat due to the length of day light, and not elevation or temperature.

[5 spike]

I was thinking it was more about the length of light during the day being a big factor. A lot of animals go into heat due to the length of day light, and not elevation or temperature.
Your bang on

[Islandeer]

It’s math every year.

subtract gestation time from when you see the first fawns, then you know when that doe was bred.

[Wild one]

Stopped worrying about the date of the rut years ago when I realized the changes it has on buck activity run for a lot longer time then most think. Yes there is times a higher % of bucks that get caught up in rut activity.

I just worry about when rut tactics like calling become effective, when bucks are more likely to be cruzing and when they start acknowleging does more. As hunters we are trying to exploit the effects it has on bucks not get lucky with a doe so our timing can be off lol

From Oct 20 to Dec 10 all species of deer in BC will increase movement, acknowledge does more, and respond to calling to some level. For all species of deer in both BC and Alberta at some point in November is when I find things get the hottest and it varies a little timing wise for each location by about 2 weeks at best in my opinion. It also seems to vary a little each year

If your just trying to exploit increased movement and interest in does the time frame I gave you will experience it at different levels of intensity

For the purpose of calling thing vary more.

Late Oct it’s some what effective with light rattling and doe bleats they are just sparing

After the first week of November crash & bash rattling, grunts and doe bleats

Come December doe bleats because some bucks are getting worn out and less willing to battle but will still chase tail

Bucks only get lucky for part of the year so the effects of the rut on them drag out longer and vary. In areas with higher buck vs doe ratio things are more intense, competitive, and longer because of the number of sexually frustrated bucks vs does. In areas with lower buck vs doe ratio you won’t get near as much activity because of lack of competition becomes a lazy event in comparison

In my opinion exact timing is not that important compared to many other factors. It also varies just enough each year and location you will never get it perfect

[Wild one]

It’s math every year.

subtract gestation time from when you see the first fawns, then you know when that doe was bred.


The will give you the roughly when THAT doe came into estrus but this timing is not the same for all does

[blackhawk19]

In Sooke halloween is usually a good start . I have seen smaller bucks chasing does a little earlier . Peak is mid November . About a week later or so higher up . That is what I have observed for years on the deer around my place .
Haven't seen any activity yet

[Takla]

Killed all my region 2-8 blacktails between nov 6-12th nov.80% of the kills the bucks came into my rattleing.Before and after the dates mentioned sightings were few

[Bugle M In]

The will give you the roughly when THAT doe came into estrus but this timing is not the same for all does

Exactly.
Just like another member said :
haven't some of you all noticed how different in size some fawns are?, even though the are all dropped in the same year.
They are dropped at different times.
Christ, I have seen some does with fawns that look like they were born only 2 months ago, and I'm talking about being out there in November!!
Meanwhile, other does have fawns that are nearly just as big as them.
Makes you wonder just how late some does get bred!

Also, is that maybe room for some concern????
Are bucks getting it done when they should??
Are we lacking a few in some areas??
And without going down the rabbit hole!, is it some other factor, and not a buck issue?
I wonder if some of the recent studies that are underway will look at that as well.
We need to start looking under every rock/stone, to get this all fixed.

[Wild one]

Bugle M In I have brought up my concern of buck vs doe ratios in parts of BC having an impact on fawn birth timing and survival in the past

There is even a study on Wt in the states that showed positive long term results from higher buck % resulting in higher rate of fawn survival and an increase in adult weight in the overall population after a number of years

About 10-12 years ago I started noticing spotted fawns later into the year in many areas. Did not see this in some of the micro populations I hunt that held higher % of bucks

At this time BC hunters are too concerned about days in the field and have been told male harvest has no impact for many years.

But not to highjack this thread let’s keep to rut talk

[Bugle M In]

Bugle M In I have brought up my concern of buck vs doe ratios in parts of BC having an impact on fawn birth timing and survival in the past

There is even a study on Wt in the states that showed positive long term results from higher buck % resulting in higher rate of fawn survival and an increase in adult weight in the overall population after a number of years

About 10-12 years ago I started noticing spotted fawns later into the year in many areas. Did not see this in some of the micro populations I hunt that held higher % of bucks

At this time BC hunters are too concerned about days in the field and have been told male harvest has no impact for many years.

But not to highjack this thread let’s keep to rut talk

Agrred, I don't want to derail thread, BUT, one last thing to your post.
Yes, there are does being bred late (maybe normal, maybe not).
And yes, could be a ratio thing, or, maybe not.
Could the introduction of wolves in the area being having more of an effect on deer, then just being predated on?
Could they also be affecting how and when does are being bred??

Like I said, EVERY stone needs to be looked under.
Some of these issues are "complex"!, not just a one thing, "silver bullet" reason/answer.
Could be lots of factors leading to one big issue.
That's why I don't agree with just implementing more restrictions like we have in the past.
Not until we know, and have a great understanding, of what the issue/s are!
One thing were I differ from folks like Dana is, I don't blame hunters for the issues, and not hunting.
There are big failures elsewhere that need to be corrected 1st.

To the OP, sorry for the derail.

[Wild one]

Bugle M in In my opinion the list of issues is huge with many having nothing to do with hunters I just look at all avenues

To add to the actual topic of this thread I have found BT response to calling is the last 3 weeks of November

[quadrakid]

I have been hunting blacktails for 30 plus years on Quadra and Campbell River. The timing of the rut does not change. What changes is the weather. We all know you see way more Blacktails when the weather is wet and windy.If we get nice sunny weather during the rut a bunch of guys start looking for excuses,the rut is late etc. Rut,same time every year,the length of the days is what brings it on.As for the elusive second rut.I have only seen evidence of that once,a big rut crazed buck chasing a doe on dec 8,that will give you a later fawn birth but it is rare.

[TyTy]

I have found that migratory region 2 bucks hang up around 1700-1800m until the first big high elevation snow dump the first week of November, then come down a bit and the herds seem to be concentrated for a couple weeks. Second half of November the deer seem to hole up a wee bit. Definately still rutting activity from the bigger bucks into December.

[Avalanche123]

November long weekend...bucks and does were real stinky and rutted up on Haida Gwaii.

[twoSevenO]

shot my 2nd blacktail of the year last year in the LM on Dec 3 ..... was chasing a doe big time, but wasn't stinky at all.

[MOOSE MILK]

Saw a nice buck with an erection staring at a cute doe, yesterday in Metchosen.

[Wild one]

Saw a nice buck with an erection staring at a cute doe, yesterday in Metchosen.

Now I am afraid to ask why you chose the handle MOOSE MILK lol

[mikek blacktail]

Starts the last few days of oct and peak nove10-14

[fuzzybiscuit]

Starts the last few days of oct and peak nove10-14

Pretty much my observation in 30+ years of hunting them on the island.

[Salty]

Yup ^. The last island black tail I took was a chunky two point right at the end of October and his tarsal glands were in full bloom. Haven't got it figured out on this side yet sounds like it may be a tad later.

[MAMMOET]

My opinion as well.
But then again on mid Island IMO, I have shot most bucks 1st-3rd week of Nov.
Buddy of mine Shot 2 good 3 points Oct 20 in cut blocks already with does early morn.