The Triton Buck – a Rut Story
The Triton Buck – a Rut Story
Lane Rumelhart
“What is your favorite time of year?” this question has rang out many times throughout my life. I’ve had the same answer since I was 10 years old—late October/early November, aka the rut. I have been fortunate enough to experience many incredible moments from a tree stand this time of year, and even had some success. One of those successful moments came when a deer I nicknamed the Triton Buck crossed my path on a late October morning.
The Rut is On
The magical rut period was just starting, as shorter days were causing leaves of many colors to fall. I had been waiting patiently to venture in and hunt my favorite morning stand. It was set up on top of a ridge, where there was a distinct breakpoint in the timber between an area dominated by walnut and hickory trees to a dense bedding area filled with common wild plumb and autumn olive shrubs. The stand overlooked a hot scrape line that showed signs of being checked by several mature bucks in the area. My recent trail camera intel alluded to a different buck, one I nicknamed Notch, being highly active. I had high hopes of encountering him that morning, given his recent activity.
It did not take long for action to heat up. As the sun crested the ridge east of me, I could hear cool, crispy leaves crunching underneath the hooves of bucks searching for hot does. The first deer I encountered was a doe that looked exhausted, as its tongue hung outside its mouth. Not far behind were two, year-and-a-half-old bucks right on her tail. Peak estrous period would not take place for another week, so this doe may have gone into estrous early. Not long after, a beautiful four-and-a-half-year-old 10 pointer came down the trail. His nose was down and he moved swiftly along the trail. A mature buck, but I chose to let him pass, hoping a more mature buck would follow.
Things slowed down around 9:30 a.m. I had not seen or heard a deer for a half hour. This time of year, I knew action could pick up any moment, so I waited patiently. Soon after, movement caught my eye. Upwind of my stand I could see a large deer moving towards me along the edge of the plumb thicket. As it approached, and much to my amazement, I identified the deer as the Triton Buck. This name came from the buck’s right G2, as it had three stickers coming off the tine, resembling Triton’s trident. My dad and I had estimated this buck to be seven-and-a-half years old, making it the oldest buck on the farm, and a clear target.
Get Ready
He moved quickly, giving me little time to prepare. I was able to grab my bow off the hanger and stand up as he passed behind a split oak tree. With his nose to the ground, he stopped broadside to check out a scrape 15 yards away. I drew back, set my pin behind the shoulder, and let my arrow fly. I watched as my lighted nock entered where I had aimed, then disappeared on a clean pass-through shot. He took off into the plumb thicket, disappearing in a matter of seconds.
I was in disbelief. This deer was known to live on the other side of the section. Seeing him away from his normal range adds more reason why this time of year is so different. I got down out of my stand and trailed him a mere 40 yards before laying eyes on him. After I found him, I called my dad, wrapped my tag around his antler, snapped a few pictures and took him back to be processed.
I was blessed that morning, not only to have the opportunity to harvest a great buck, but to experience one of nature’s most exciting times of the year. Even if you are not a deer hunter, seeing and hearing whitetails crashing through the timber is nothing short of amazing. I try not to take for granted these moments between myself and the beautiful land God has blessed us with here in Iowa.
August 2025
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