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- 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.
Nov 8, 2019 · These are my rules for the whitetail rut. Find the Does. The reason the whitetail rut is so exciting is because, for a few short weeks each year, bucks lose their minds while searching for females to breed. If bucks are looking for does, you should be too.
- Mark Kenyon
Sep 6, 2023 · The whitetail rut offers a window to take advantage of a weakness in a buck’s security system. However, did you know the rut encompasses several distinct periods, each with its own characteristics to focus on for success?
- 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,...
Sep 26, 2023 · Here is how to hunt the phases of the whitetail rut. If you want to find more success during the whitetail rut, identify the different rut phases using the Nationwide Rut Map and then target your hunting strategies around what bucks will be doing during the different stages.
Nov 2, 2023 · The buck you’re after is after does, so keeping the local doe herd unsuspecting will increase your odds of seeing the buck you’re after. If abundant hunting access is an issue (it is for most of us) you don’t likely have the luxury of dozens of stand locations.
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Nov 16, 2023 · If you have limited time to scout, keep this very simple and just focus on funnels. They are easy to find and productive during all phases of the rut. When bucks are traveling, they like to use the shortest route between Point A and Point B and will pick the path of least resistance if it keeps them hidden.
