Do really big bucks rut differently?

[AndyJ]

I really want to kill a big (hoping for 180 or better) buck during an upcoming rifle hunt. It is a CO 4th season hunt that should be during the rut. I have seen plenty of good bucks lose their senses during the rut, but is it common for big bucks to really let down their guard or do they continue to stay, at least nearly, fully alert? I guess another way to ask my question is should I expect to find 5+ y.o. bucks rutting in the same areas as younger bucks?

Thanks,
Andy

 

[bigmoose]

It is not uncommon to find a big buck rutting with smaller bucks around if he feels secure. Otherwise the big guys will come out in the evening or nights to breed the does. They often leave the does to bed where they think it's more secure at daylight. I think the really exceptional bucks don't hang much with the does during the rut unless there enough snow to bring them down, even then they'll go off on their own to bed. That being said, I did kill a 200 inch buck with seven does in a P/J jungle but I think he felt pretty safe there.

 

[AndyJ]

Thanks bigmoose,

Would you please elaborate on this:

"I think the really exceptional bucks don't hang much with the does during the rut "

What are they doing? Are they not participating in the rut? If that is the case do they never loose their caution?

 

[bigmoose]

My thought is that some of the really big bucks may not participate in the rut or do so during the night and then disappear during the daylight. I think of these type of bucks as loners and they may be the last to come down to the rutting/winter area. I read a article years ago by a renown deer biologist that thought the same thing. He called them sherkers for not participating in the rut. Can't remember his name... Robby would know.

 

[robby denning]

Dr Valerius Geist. Good advice bigmoose. I do know that big bucks still hide during the rut if there's much pressure. Find the does near and in the secure cover and there should be big bucks nearby. Doesn't mean you'll see them, but they are close

 

[Fire_9]

I really want to kill a big (hoping for 180 or better) buck during an upcoming rifle hunt

Don't we all....

 

[AndyJ]

"Don't we all...."

Ahhh yes...but I'm willing to wait.

I know big bucks live here. I've seen them. Everyone who has hunted the areas for a couple years has seen them. All the local ranchers and the C.O. have seen them. They will have had TONS of pressure by this point. Bigmoose and Robby, or anyone else for that matter, how would you recommend hunting these bucks? From what I'm hearing, I'm thinking find does in or on the edges of dense timber and either still hunt the timber or just shadow the does and wait. Does this sound like a decent plan or am I missing something?

Where would you expect to find mature bucks bedding this time of year?

 

[robby denning]

I'd expect them bedding in the cover but fairly close to does. Keep your scent from blowing into likely areas and try to glass the cover from vantage points. Pay attention for fresh tracks and rubs. Still-hunt the most likely cover if you're not seeing big bucks.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

Find some points to glass a bunch of country

 

[Art Vandeley]

I agree with what others have said. I think big bulls/bucks will participate but almost exclusively after dark. They will let the younger bucks chase does around during the day, and go in to breed after dark. I would suggest glassing likely bedding areas first light and last. That being said I've never kilt a 180" buck here in MT where they get shot at all of November...

 

[Whip1]

Are you in the SJ's in Colorado? If so send me a PM.
Doug

 

[AndyJ]

Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate it. I getting pretty excited for this hunt.