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Nov 6, 2020 · As Wisconsin heads into what is known in the hunting community as "peak rut," or the primary breeding season for deer, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would like to remind those participating in deer hunting season to practice safety when using treestands.
- 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.
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- 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,...
Regional Rut Update: Pre-Rut Activity on the Increase in Whitetail Country Expert reports from the woods to help you kill the buck of a lifetime. Pre-rut activity is being reported in the East and Midwest, but it’s still a bit early in many places in the South.
Most of the mature bucks in your area will be holed up with a doe during this period, but you never know when a buck will break free and immediately begin looking for his next doe. Fortunately, I can hunt during all phases of the rut, but if I had to choose one week to hunt, I would make it during the first chase phase.
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Apr 5, 2022 · Managers should strive to balance deer herds to a 1:2 buck:doe ratio to reduce the overall duration of the rut, preventing prolonged “trickle rut” breeding. (Photo courtesy of Dr. James C. Kroll) It is my observation that hunters then view the breeding/conception period as “lockdown.”
If you’re interested in a gun hunt like that where bucks will likely walk out in daylight looking for does, then look to a state with a peak rut rifle season. Here are six to get you started. Still the king of big buck country, Wisconsin makes all the lists, including this one. Image by John Hafner. WISCONSIN.
