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Nov 16, 2023 · Targeting a Specific Buck During the Rut. When you have a particular buck in mind, you can spend time scouting and learning about his habits, preferred routes, and core areas. This targeted approach allows you to use game cameras to obtain key data to set up the best locations for that specific deer.
- Find the Does. Your next move might not require a move at all if you have scouted well. During the breeding or lockdown phase, bucks relentlessly search for estrus females.
- Hunt the Downwind Sides. Keep in mind that during the breeding phase, bucks become highly efficient. Instead of boldly walking across a field, they might skirt the downwind edges or inside corners to scent-confirm any estrus females.
- Find a Love Nest. You do have another option and whether you make it your main play or a backup, consider looking for a buck love nest. Once bucks find a doe, do they want to parade it through a crowd of potential suitors, or spend more time alone?
- Find a Drifter. By scouting and setting up stands or blinds near highly visited food plots, agricultural fields or the routes in between, you stand a high chance of meeting up with a home territory buck.
- Pre-Rut
- Love Is in The Air
- Rut Fest
- Persistence Pays
- Last Call
Dates: October 24th – October 30th Author’s take: With the new moon falling on October 27th, these days should see great morning movement as well as earlier movement in the afternoons. I’d certainly be in the woods the last five days of October, especially if you have slightly below-average temperatures in your area. Like anything with whitetails, ...
Dates: October 31 – November 5 Author’s take: If you only have five days of time off and experiencing the most active deer movement of the year is as important as tagging mature deer, I’d start on the fourth. Head to deer camp on Friday the first and get ready to sit in a tree for ten hours a day for the next nine days. Bucks will be running rampan...
Dates: November 6 – November 12 Author’s take: With the moon building into full on the 12th, these will be the best days of the year. Midday movement begins to increase, especially amongst mature bucks. In my experience, I typically notice things slowing down and moving toward lockdown beginning about November 10th, but this week is your best chanc...
Dates: November 13 – November 18 Author’s take: In my experience, these days have been very hit-or-miss, and it really does become a “light switch” event. Midday is going to be key; if you have a few days you can afford to take off, I’d be looking at the 13th, 14th and 15th. If you put in the time, this can still be a great time to tag a mature dee...
Dates: November 19th – November 24th Author’s Take: At this point mature bucks are still searching for late-estrus does but are a bit more wise in expending the little energy they have left. The moon is fading fast these dates, and I would focus on getting in early and hunting the mornings through midday on the 21st – 24th. These hunts can be long,...
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No longer was a 4.5-year-old or older buck a near impossible sighting in Pennsylvania (Figure 1). Finally, Pennsylvania hunters are experiencing harvest success rates similar to the 1980s and 1990s, but thanks to the new APRs, the number of older bucks in the harvest has doubled.
Oct 26, 2022 · When it comes to getting away from hunting pressure during the rut, the key is timing and putting distance between yourself and other hunters. Deer, especially mature bucks, will typically only tolerate a small amount of human intrusion.
Sep 30, 2023 · But it isn’t completely shocking. There’s a common thread among the top responses — predictability. Bucks aren’t as patternable during the rut. But they are during the early season, pre-rut, and late season. That’s why most pro hunters choose those periods over the rut.
Oct 20, 2015 · By the last week of October you should be hunting your favorite rut cruising setups; but which ones? I like to keep things pretty simple when it comes to consistently harvesting a mature buck, and choosing a stand location to harvest a rutting cruiser is no different!
