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Whitetail rutting activity picking up

Two whitetail bucks joust with their antlers in early November as the rut -- the deer mating seasons -- begins to take shape. (Jaime Johnson)
Two whitetail bucks joust with their antlers in early November as the rut -- the deer mating seasons -- begins to take shape. (Jaime Johnson)

HUNTING -- While elk hunting in the Blue Mountains last week, I saw whitetails at elevation 5400 feet -- and I also saw several scrapes.

But Montana outdoor photographer Jaime Johnson saw more than that on Thursday.

We spent most of yesterday chasing whitetails. We noticed several does with roughed up back hair. We also saw several bucks whose necks were swollen and witnessed several jousting. It was raining off and on, but we stuck with it and ended up with over a hundred good images!

The large buck was pretty messed up – he was kicking everyone’s butt. We affectionately called him Duke (he walked sideways like John Wayne and didn’t take crap from anyone).

Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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