Whitetail Rut ?

Does anyone know how the whitetail rut is progressing in Cades Cove. Has it started yet? The last couple of years it has been kicking in the week after Thanksgiving, which has fallen around the 1st of December give or take a few days. With Thanksgiving being earlier this year I was expecting it to be about the second week after this year or still around the 1st of Dec. I wanted to get up there next week but I wont be able to. I might be able to make it the following week but I'm not sure yet. if anyone gets into the cove please let me know how things are going.

Bruce

Bruce,

The deer are very happy... I saw a buck behind a tree smoking a cigarette.

Steve

Hi, I just returned from there and a lot of the does acted as tho they were on weed, and the Bucks were everywhere. Saw two bucks with a nice herd of does each. Many wild turkeys. The colour is gone. Will be going back in Jan for a snow. Had their first snow fall while I was there, but it didn't stick.

Bruce

I was in the Cove Nov 15th to the 18th. I spent all my time with the bucks. The rut was definitely on. Does were running and Bucks were chasing. I was hoping for a buck fight but never found one. I saw lots of bucks all bristled up but they didn't fight. I did see an absolutely giant 6 pointer. Only got a few quick shots as he ran past me in pursuit of a hot doe. I saw him on my first morning and looked for him the next two days but never saw him again. He had to be 28" wide and very tall as well. I hope to get back down there around Christmas.

Good Luck

Thanks for the updates so far. I still don't know if my wife can get off work to go up or not. I guess I could go by myself but she loves to go to the cove too so she might not like that.

Bruce