Can someone tell me...

Not speaking on fact but I believe the reason you can't hunt during the rut anymore is because of the decline in the mule deer population throughout the western states. A few years back we could hunt the 4th rifle season in Colo for deer but no more. That is when the rut was hard and heavy. Now we hunt the third season, usually the 1st week in Nov. The bucks are definitely in prerut but the full rut is not on yet. I'm guessing the various state wildlife agencies want to give all bucks the chance to breed and possibly help in the decline of the populations.

i figured it was due to population trends. However, I would think that bag limits would have more of an impact than time of year... Just my thought.

I believe ABert is right on here. There are a few states that allow limited firearm rut hunts for mule deer, but they are fairly coveted tags and/or private property zones.

What most wildlife managers fear about rut hunting is depleting the mature buck numbers in any given herd. I tend to agree with them. The "hey days" of the 60's and early 80's are gone. Strict management is the key now. Who knows maybe we'll return to those days again. [-o<

If you want to hunt mule deer in the rut every year, I would suggest you take up archery hunting. Many western states offer archery rut hunts (Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico). I chase them every year in Arizona during the peak of the rut. Of course with limited equipment compared to firearms, the harvest is still relatively low with almost no impact on the structure of the herd.

Agreed, would be nice to hunt the RUT. Deer heards in my opinion can't handle it right now and not sure if those days will ever return.

BOHNTR,
I make your avatar image bigger, hope you don't mind. :)

Brett:

Not at all......I was trying to make it bigger, but I sometimes suffer from computer illiteracy! #-o Thanks.

you can rifle hunt muleys in the rut in South Dakota and the archery season goes through both pre and post rut.Though finding a true trophy may be far between, we do have some really nice deer though. last year I took a 175 class deer and a friend of mine took a 194" mule deer both harvested with bow.This year my wife took a 27" buck (rifle) and I saw a few others that were close to 34" just couldn't get on em.

muleystalker01,

Pics? Sounds fun and those sound like great deer. Would love to seel them.
Thanks for joining and welcome.

he has pics and loves showing them off :thumb :1

Thanks and yeh I've got several pics. When I can muledeer is the only deer I hunt. I have always been drawn to muledeer and learn more about them every year. :)