Published: November 17, 2008 11:57 am      

Bucks on the move

Most observers, whether they get paid by a state agency to do it professionally or simply do it while they sit on the back porch swing, agree that Nov. 14 or so is usually the peak of the white-tailed deer rut in this neck of the woods.

Well, Nov. 14 was two days ago, so that means that bucks are still pretty active in seeking out female companionship, no matter how brief that liason may be.

The bottom line here is that now is the time to take your bow and arrow and go live in your treestand or groundblind. We all know that it is not the easiest thing in the world to get a very nice buck within 30 yards and then make the perfect shot to claim that animal.

If it was easy, then everybody would be doing it, everybody who bow hunts, that is.

This is a most exciting time to be a deer hunter, this rut period. Even hunters who have numerous trail cameras out are usually surprised by a buck that nobody has seen, either in person or on film.

The bruiser bucks, the ones who have survived a season or three, don’t prance about at any other time of the year, though it is sometimes possible to spot one in late summer, while they are still in velvet.

Ten days ago, while I was driving in the pre-dawn hours on W.Va. Route 93 in Grant County, one of those bruiser bucks walked across the highway part way between the turnoff to Dam #14 and the top of Walker’s Ridge. This is a wallhanger buck with very high tines. Whoever hunts that area has a nice one roaming around.

It was Nov. 6 and the buck was nose to highway, walking slowly across the blacktop. I hope he doesn’t get whacked by one of those coal or log trucks that fly low along that road on a daily basis.

I’m guessing that a doe had recently walked the same path now taken by the trophy buck. He was sure following his nose.