Utah Late Muzzy Deer? Rut Timing and Buck Behavior?

[T Chris]

I was lucky enough to pull one of the very few non-resident limited entry late muzzleloader deer tags in Utah this year. I'm curious what the collective wisdom here is regarding buck behavior right after the general rifle season. I know cold weather and a good snow will likey get things moving, but would you expect the bucks to still be in the dark timber up high if the weather doesn't change or have folks seen them joining the does soon after rifle closes?

Just to be clear, I'm not asking for locations and I'm not discussing what unit I'm hunting, so this isn't that kind of post. I am interested in mule deer behavior and general rut timing for Utah. I'll enjoy exploring the unit and if all goes well maybe I'll come back in a few years with a general deer tag. I also understand that these units are managed for opportunity and most folks take forky yearlings, but I'm hoping to take my time and find something a little more mature since the season dates are more favorable. Thanks in advance for your sage opinions.

 

[Seahawkfan]

On that in I’d start by finding the doe’s, the rut won’t be far off, and the bucks won’t be to far behind, on a typical year they won’t be up high more mid level and down. It also depends on the unit there’s a few week difference in the northern part of the state than the southern as far as rutting activity in my opinion

 

[T Chris]

On that in I’d start by finding the doe’s, the rut won’t be far off, and the bucks won’t be to far behind, on a typical year they won’t be up high more mid level and down. It also depends on the unit there’s a few week difference in the northern part of the state than the southern as far as rutting activity in my opinion

Thanks for this. I wasn’t sure if concentrating on the does was a good strategy since the season is early in November.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

I was lucky enough to pull one of the very few non-resident limited entry late muzzleloader deer tags in Utah this year. I'm curious what the collective wisdom here is regarding buck behavior right after the general rifle season. I know cold weather and a good snow will likey get things moving, but would you expect the bucks to still be in the dark timber up high if the weather doesn't change or have folks seen them joining the does soon after rifle closes?

Just to be clear, I'm not asking for locations and I'm not discussing what unit I'm hunting, so this isn't that kind of post. I am interested in mule deer behavior and general rut timing for Utah. I'll enjoy exploring the unit and if all goes well maybe I'll come back in a few years with a general deer tag. I also understand that these units are managed for opportunity and most folks take forky yearlings, but I'm hoping to take my time and find something a little more mature since the season dates are more favorable. Thanks in advance for your sage opinions.

What part of the state will you be hunting?

 

[T Chris]

What part of the state will you be hunting?

I’ll be in central Utah.