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- Josh Honeycutt
- The Pre-Rut. Late October to Early November. As fall progresses and dulling green leaves give way to brighter colors, relaxed whitetails turn into testosterone-driven knuckleheads.
- The Early Rut. Mid-November. Things get more serious as the second full week of November nears. The first wave of does—albeit a small one—are entering estrus now, and deer respond accordingly.
- The Peak Rut. Second and third week of November. The Midwestern rut is in full force. The bulk of does are courted during this 10-day window. This can actually make it more difficult to see a mature buck.
- The Late Rut. Final week of November. Most does are finished with love and unreceptive now. Instead, they're back with their fawns and shunning any and all advances from male counterparts.
Oct 30, 2023 · Photo courtesy of Clint McCoy, DVM. UNDERSTANDING PHYSIOLOGY. Have you ever wondered why hunting seasons across the nation occur when they do? The answer is simple. Whitetail deer are known as short-day breeders, meaning day length plays a role in the hormonal balances that drive the rut.
- Clint Mccoy, DVM
People also ask
What do deer do during a deer rut?
How do deer communicate during a rut?
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- Hunting Memories
- Not Calling Aggressively
- Hunting Rubs Instead of Rub Lines
- Misusing Scents
- Ignoring Doe Groups
- Avoiding Funnels
- Not Hunting Water
- Leaving The Stand Midday
- Not Using A Decoy
- Ducking The Weather
Why It Happens:Daddy killed a whopper from the Monster Stand back during President Obama's first term, so you always hunt there, even though it hasn't produced in several years. But why should it? Over time food sources change, habitats are altered, hunting pressure increases. Sometimes deer just don't frequent an area anymore. What to Do:"You have...
Why It Happens: Deer hunters are trained to be in über-stealth mode at all times, and that's certainly a smart approach, but some take it too far by not ramping up their calling intensity during the rut. "Rattling, grunting and using doe bleats has always been really effective for us during the pre- and peak-rut periods," David Hale, half of the le...
Why It Happens:Big rubs have the tendency to get us all excited. However, they only tell you where bucks have been, not where they are. "Rub lines—not individual rubs, which are made randomly—show us preferred travel corridors bucks like to use regularly," Harold Knight once told me. "A cluster of rubs tells me I am close to his bedroom. Even thoug...
Why It Happens:Premium estrous scents are spendy, so some hunters opt for the cheap stuff, assuming deer pee is deer pee. As with most things, you get what you pay for. But even with the freshest, most pure urine, it must be used properly to be effective. "During the rut, I use doe estrous scents a lot. I also like buck tarsal gland scents," says B...
Why It Happens:Your trail cameras produce multiple pictures of a shooter buck in a particular bedding area and you become obsessed. But after hunting for several days from a stand hung nearby, he never appears. "That's because during the rut he's off cruising, looking for a hot doe," Hale says. "Hunting a buck's bedroom now is hit or miss.” What to...
Why It Happens:Deer hunters want to see deer, and most think they'll see more by hunting over a food source instead of back in the woods or hills. "I can't tell you how many times I've been bored stiff for days at a time sitting an isolated funnel," Brown says, "And then, boom! Here comes a bruiser cruising through. It's often a deer that doesn't u...
Why It Happens:As discussed above, hunters tend to focus on food sources, which is a good idea for most of the season. But during the rut, bucks are working extremely hard. They need water, and lots of it. In fact, given my druthers, I'll hunt an isolated water source over food every day during the rut. Make that double if the weather is warm. What...
Why It Happens:"Most people get bored and head back to the house for breakfast and a nap after 10:00 a.m. or so," Knight says. "But rutting bucks will cruise all day long. David and I have both shot some dandies between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m." What to Do:Hunting the rut is all about "meat in the seat"—spending as much time on stand as possible. D...
Why It Happens:Hunters are all about using dekes for doves, turkeys and waterfowl, but rarely do they use them for deer. Not smart. Lifesize deer decoys are bulky and a pain to pack in, but the first time you see a bristled-up buck try and knock your decoy over, you'll be hooked for life. What to Do:Buck decoys have worked best for me during the pr...
Why It Happens:Inclement weather sends many deer hunters heading for the couch. But a buck's breeding urge is so strong, he'll keep going regardless of the weather. In my experience—and there's research to back this up—nothing has as big of an influence on deer movement as a change in barometric pressure. That's why you see more daylight movement a...
- Bob Robb
Jan 1, 2024 · The deer rut, or mating season, is a crucial and captivating time in the life of deer. It is marked by bucks displaying various behaviors to attract mates and establish dominance. The intense chase, antler battles, and selective mating all contribute to the survival and evolution of deer species.
- What is a deer rut?The deer rut is the mating season for deer, where males compete for females.
- How long does the deer rut last?The deer rut typically lasts for about a month, usually occurring in the fall.
- Why do deer rut?Deer rut to reproduce and ensure the continuation of their species.
- How do deer communicate during the rut?Deer communicate during the rut through a variety of vocalizations and body language.
Jan 16, 2022 · Whitetail. Understanding the Whitetail Rut. By Brad Fenson January 16, 2022 Updated: August 31, 2023 7 Mins Read. If you have been fortunate enough to witness the rutting chase of whitetailed deer, you can appreciate the incredible strength and stamina that these grand animals posses.
- Brad Fenson
Oct 8, 2021 · The deer rut is a period of time when the whitetail deer are mating. Deer rut typically occurs in November and can extend into early December. During deer rut, male whitetail deer are in their most aggressive state. They will fight to compete for mates or try to find new territory to roam.
Oct 27, 2020 · By Scott Bestul | Published Oct 27, 2020 5:50 PM EDT. Hunting. A swollen-necked 10-pointer looks for does. John Hafner Photography. The whitetail rut is one of the most studied phenomena in ...
