Roe Rut - not a fan

I use it as a chance to see what is about and has moved in. I find the bucks do wander despite having a territory. Young bucks tend to be culled but anything middle aged gets left unless injured or sick. Also a chance to get one or two old bucks.
 
The rut is all too often a poorly understood phenomenon, with lots to consider and aye more to learn. Whom among the bucks are first to stir, why, when, where the action is, the stops and starts and reasons therefore, a myriad of factors.

Some gain insights, others never learn nor understand what factors may influence, Lady Luck may even come to assist when you inadvertently sit on your butt-olo! Knowing when and where to call, understanding why you might want to call in the first place - a lifetime of stalking may pass without gaining a real understanding of the principles, and even at the end of all this, the deer themselves decide what will work for the hunter, who can only pit his available wits against them in a bid to have success — not necessarily measured with warm rifle and spent cartridges — but rather in being able to have an inkling of what is actually going on out there. A great time to be observing and learning, rather than necessarily shooting.

One of nature’s great plays, there to be rediscovered and enjoyed with each passing year, armed or otherwise.
 
Interesting replies folks. I did call a young buck in the other night which was a bit of fun but in truth, he would have been an easier shot without,(he got a free pass anyway).

I’d have honestly thought it would be more of big bucks being very territorial and glued to a doe. But it seems to be a lot of younger stuff cruising around all the time. I think these young deer must cover as many / if not more does than the best bucks.

What I really don’t understand is that you can cover a forestry block with numerous deer in it. Peep away and none will show. It’s like they’re not bothered. Then occasionally it’s instant. You’d think if they were fired up at least half would all come in for a look.
 
I don't shoot foxes unless they're taking lambs.
They’ll take the dead sick or dying ones. Cleaners essentially. Badgers, that’s a different story
Interesting replies folks. I did call a young buck in the other night which was a bit of fun but in truth, he would have been an easier shot without,(he got a free pass anyway).

I’d have honestly thought it would be more of big bucks being very territorial and glued to a doe. But it seems to be a lot of younger stuff cruising around all the time. I think these young deer must cover as many / if not more does than the best bucks.

What I really don’t understand is that you can cover a forestry block with numerous deer in it. Peep away and none will show. It’s like they’re not bothered. Then occasionally it’s instant. You’d think if they were fired up at least half would all come in for a look.

The mature Does don’t necessarily let the younger bucks cover them, it’s anthropological in its assumption 😜
 
I have ground where it seems as predictable as clockwork, down to the exact location of the donuts.

I have other ground where it’s a chaotic and crazy affair.

And I have ground where it essentially doesn’t seem to happen.

Absolutely fascinating. What I wouldn’t give for 100 satellite collars…
 
Interesting replies folks. I did call a young buck in the other night which was a bit of fun but in truth, he would have been an easier shot without,(he got a free pass anyway).

I’d have honestly thought it would be more of big bucks being very territorial and glued to a doe. But it seems to be a lot of younger stuff cruising around all the time. I think these young deer must cover as many / if not more does than the best bucks.

What I really don’t understand is that you can cover a forestry block with numerous deer in it. Peep away and none will show. It’s like they’re not bothered. Then occasionally it’s instant. You’d think if they were fired up at least half would all come in for a look.
I rest my case.

Young bucks aye more eager to start; fluffers for the older bucks when the does eventually warm up;
Bucks do indeed closely attend the females, at a choosing place of the latter;

The bucks don’t chase the does, the latter lead the bucks on a merry dance;

Early calling will near aye produce young and stupid bucks without a girly to chase; the more able young are already with females, being strung/teased along by the pizzle and the (unlikely) ‘promise’ of fun soon, but not soon enough; they won’t leave their ‘promise’ for someone squeaking away like a rusty bike, the bird on the end of their nose smelling rather sweeter than an unknown quantity offering unknown delight;

Temperature and humidity are also factors affecting the effectiveness of otherwise of calling, even calling carried out literally ‘willy-nilly’;

Lots to consider, lots to learn, as I suggested.
 
Calling seems to be completely variable.
that’s because your to keen and not in the right place!

I don’t even think about it until the 1st of August and to call effectively you need to be as close as you can to a territorial scrape, then be patient and call and wait for probably the most exciting experience experience there is in deer stalking.

I used to be really good at it, and all I used to do was call and let other people shoot but I am gonna go out next week and have a look not overly bothered but if one should come happy days always room in the freezer for a roe

By calling too early like most do, all you are doing is educating them and making your life hard work
 
Where is the challenge in stalking a buck which you know so well as to where it will be and at what time?

Give me the pure excitement of the rut any day. Bucks running in to a call from two field away, bucks barking challenges in response to a call unseen for an age, then suddenly appearing ten yards away with full head dress of bracken, bucks running in from 400 yards because they have seen my red dog at heal but not registered me with the rifle.

Had them all happen and more. Also had plenty o& nothing happen too. But yes I love the rut. And this year I will be on a rig for it (again) lol
 
Where is the challenge in stalking a buck which you know so well as to where it will be and at what time?
I have to say I love it when you put hours of legwork in and it then comes together perfectly when you make a play for a certain deer. I think that’s why I don’t like this time of year because the recon doesn’t seem to mean anything.

Do get the excitement of calling. The main luck I’ve had is when the bucks have been close by anyway though.
 
Folks, I don’t get the hype. Nothing seems to be consistent. The bucks never seem to stay in the same place? I can’t work out if the bucks move for the does. Or the does move to find the bucks,(as I believe). Or a bit of both? I wouldn’t have thought territories went out the window but you can’t guarantee buck A will be in spot A unlike earlier in the year.

Calling seems to be completely variable.

Some does are in heat. Some aren’t. You can be watching a doe which is completely on its own then suddenly 3 fields away, a different doe is being chased by 2 bucks.

Then half the time the cover is way up depending on the harvest situ.

Give me April/May any day. Animals are always in the same place to the point where you can almost guarantee what paths they will take.

Can’t just be me?
This is my first time stalking the rut and I think I started feeling the same way - I'd enjoyed the challenge in April/May of spotting a buck a long way off in open terrain, and planning a careful route in to get a good clean shot. My first few times calling produced nothing - probably too keen, in the wrong spot and too early! But the last two outings have been exhilirating - managed to call in does to within 10 yards, and the rustling ferns in which i thought was the buck I'd seen where amazingly exciting. Can't wait to get back out, though I have no doubt I won't be as successful as earlier in the season.
 
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