However, breeding activity isnât the only factor that affects deer behavior during this phase. The rut can mean different things to researchers and hunters. It’s portrayed in TV shows as a time of all-day action, with bucks that were shy and wary suddenly abandoning that caution and becoming easy targets for hunters. Peak rut hunting season occurs between the last week of October and the first two weeks of November. [CDATA[
During the chasing phase, bucks feverishly scour the woods, pursue and, quite literally, chase does around checking them for breeding readiness. Many whitetail hunters neglect to bring their antlers or rattle-bag into the woods until just before the rut. This video shows typical young buck behavior Behind the Barn in my 8 acre research habitat on October 12th 2013. Tuna are a pelagic species, meaning they roam the high seas, arriving and departing seemingly on a whim. They might not, however, be as keen on driving out competition as they previously were. Ted Nugent is the real deal. Deer rutting season (or âthe rutâ) is the highlight of the year for any seasoned deer hunter. Like the pre-rut phase, staking out the areas between the bedding and feeding zones is still the most effective tactic. In most cases, especially in early october in Michigan, chasing has little to do with whether does are in estrus or not. he is chasing deer for the same reason the adolescents in the movie Porky’s peak through the keyhole of the door to the girl’s gym. However, the second rut is near, and that means bucks making mistakes once again. Before she does, however, the pair might slip off to a secluded area. None of these deer are receptive to this buck and he does not discriminated on who he chases. Donât stay too long in a spot that clearly hasnât delivered and be ready to move if you get whiff of a sighting. Finding the feed that deer are using is critical during the post-rut season. This is when bucks are readily chasing any receptive does and establishing their social dominance (and therefore eager to respond to challenge calls). Phase 5 (December 6th-December15th) – The final phase of the rut is also tricky to predict but this is another good time to catch the bucks that have survived gun season. So plan your hunts around the times when mature bucks are most likely to be moving. It may be over a three month window in the south, or a five week window in the north, and it may be affected by things like weather and hunting pressure, but it happens the same time every year. Juvenile antlered bucks begin chasing they day they shed their velvet. Required fields are marked *. Most importantly, it is vital to know where they go for food and where they bed for the night. Morning hunts donât typically yield good results due to the uneven patterns bucks follow as they transition to their fall ranges and behavior patterns during this period. Deer rutting season is the period between the middle of October to early December when deer mate. Deer start to hit mast crops during this period, so look out for areas with lots of acorns. They might also visit doe bedding areas in search of the females that occupy them. Based on scientific studies, we know that the whitetail rut occurs in any given area roughly the same time every year. The Smoked Pheasant Tortilla Soup is a great, warm-you-up a meal for those cold days during the winter. Image 8 of 10. Every year like clockwork I begin to see posts on forums and Facebook about the rut being “on” because someone saw a buck chasing does. I may forget the details of taking those two gobblers, but Iâll never forget the experience of being with those two men. //