We have shown you that the timing of the rut is the same every year. Its the same classic love song for everyone.
We’ve shown you that warm temps have no effect on the rut. It just adds more steam to the mood.
However, there is still a lot of variability in breeding behavior. That’s why during any given week some folks don’t see any bucks on their trail cameras and others see a lot. Rutting behavior is driven by females in estrus – no females to be bred, no music in the air.
So even though the median breeding date is the same every year, it doesn’t mean rutting behavior is exactly the same every year – in the area where you hunt.
We’re going to do a little experiment and have some fun at that same time!
Over the next several weeks we’re going to post movies of bucks from past years and let you decide, based on the movement behavior, when each start to hear Etta James and when the air goes silent.
You can post your estimated dates and we’ll summarize and share the results with everyone (don’t worry, everyone remains anonymous!). The variability in Etta’s warm up and rendition of her classic love song among bucks will unfold right before our eyes.
So let’s get started. Here’s Buck 12785
Watch this as many times as you like! When you think you know when this buck starts to hear the song At Last, enter your chosen dates in the survey. The survey will be open until 11pm on November 4, 2016.
We end the movie on 20 November because that’s when bear season starts. By that time most breeding is over and all the hunters in the woods makes it difficult to hear Ms. James gorgeous melody. It’s more Panic! At The Disco after that.
We’ll be sharing the results of the survey the following week!
-Duane Diefenbach
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