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Western NC Bucks still in bachelor groups

Posted on 11/2/23 at 10:07 am
Posted by WarCamEagle88
NC
Member since Feb 2018
207 posts
Posted on 11/2/23 at 10:07 am
Howdy, OB!

Wanted to get the group’s opinion on my recent experience deer hunting in the Western NC mountains.

I’ve got access to 300 acres up there, with 4 trail cams scattered around. I’ve got a group of 4 bucks (a 9 point, a 10 point, a big 6, and a 4) that are still in their bachelor groups as of Oct. 30th. They’ve been grouped up like this since the spring. Based on everything I’ve read it seems like these dudes should have split up 2 months ago, but haven’t. They travel together and bed together still. And they’re not making any scrapes yet either, but have been making plenty of rubs. Peak rut for that area is listed as Dec. 2nd, which is later than many other areas, but still, it seems like these guys are in a weird pattern. Last year’s cam footage and my experience on the ground showed tons of scrape activity and the group had split up by this time of year, or earlier.

I know this area isn’t in most of y’all’s neck of the woods, but does anyone have any experience seeing this type of thing in their area? Any guesses on what might have changed this year versus last year keeping them grouped up and not making scrapes? Thanks in advance.
Posted by Yewkindewit
Near Birmingham, Alabama
Member since Apr 2012
20437 posts
Posted on 11/2/23 at 10:27 am to
Currently seeing the bachelor groups here in North Central Alabama as well.
Posted by MrBobDobalina
BRo.LA
Member since Oct 2011
3044 posts
Posted on 11/2/23 at 10:36 am to
Bros b4 hoes
Posted by AUTimbo
Member since Sep 2011
2948 posts
Posted on 11/2/23 at 11:13 am to
Killed a 9pt and an 8 pt with my bow a fews years back that were travelling together during the rut. They came out of a bedding area together, came into the oak flat together and both made scrapes within 20 yds of me. Slammed the first, he took off …. Other buck stepped up and continued to finish scrape first buck had started on. Knocked another arrow and zipped him. 3 1/2- 4 1/2 yrs olds

I have given up trying to figure out why they do what they do and just hunt ;)
Posted by TheDrunkenTigah
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2011
17496 posts
Posted on 11/2/23 at 11:49 am to
Unless the buck:doe ratio is very very heavy on bucks it’s common to see bucks staying in bachelor groups right up until the rut. Even then it’s less about them getting territorial and more that they are just going in every which direction searching for a doe and don’t all have the same strategy or personality. As soon as it’s over they group back up. The idea that they start beating each other up and stake out territory two months in advance mostly exists on hunting shows to tell a good story.

quote:

Any guesses on what might have changed this year versus last year keeping them grouped up and not making scrapes?


Your ability to see it, or the location that it’s happening on the property due to weather conditions, logging activity, etc. Nothing environmental changes the rut timing significantly, and it’s still a month away. In about two weeks you should start to see necks getting swollen and does being pushed around by younger bucks on cam, the mature bucks will be getting more solitary and making scrapes somewhere.
Posted by Slickback
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
27737 posts
Posted on 11/2/23 at 8:58 pm to
How’s the deer hunting in Western NC? That’s where my wife is from and she keeps hinting at a mountain house one day.
Posted by highcotton2
Alabama
Member since Feb 2010
9659 posts
Posted on 11/2/23 at 9:03 pm to
North Alabama/Southern Tennessee

Posted by TigerOnTheMountain
Higher Elevation
Member since Oct 2014
41773 posts
Posted on 11/2/23 at 9:45 pm to
I’m in Bryson and I’m still seeing the same thing. It’s the same every year. Not sure where you’ve read that they should have spilt up two months ago, but that typically doesn’t happen until late November.

I got this photo just last night.





And this one 20 minutes ago or so:




And this one most recently a few minutes ago



What you’re seeing is normal for this area, imo.
This post was edited on 11/2/23 at 9:54 pm
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
19816 posts
Posted on 11/3/23 at 5:53 pm to
How big do those mountain bucks get? Say Chattanooga/Ashville area.
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