Deer and Turkey Hunting Tips

Archive for October, 2009

The deer rutting period has ended and all the breeding has occurred. The bucks will rest and return back to more normal routines. This period is referred to as the post rut stage.

The bucks will again be using a bedding to feeding schedule to regain much needed food and rest. For the most part, the bucks will be focused on regaining strength and energy from the exhausting rutting period.

The bucks will be feeding heavily and in most cases often. This period offers a good opportunity for the hunter. Setting up stands in and around available food sources can provide a hunter with a good chance at a late season buck. This will require the hunter to be aware of current deer food sources in order to be effective.

The morning and evening deer hunting approach comes back into play. If the area to be hunted offers quality cover nearby, bucks may even head out to feeding areas throughout the day.

Deer hunting near the bedding areas can be another way of taking a buck. The bucks will be more sensitive to any pressure put on the bedding areas so make sure to use proper scent control and not get too close. Hunting near deer bedding areas is often very productive during the post rut period.

Another idea to consider is still hunting from the ground. By using good still hunting tactics, a hunter can slowly and methodically cover more ground that is suspected of holding the deer. This also allows the hunter to stay current with any fresh deer activity.

Since the season is coming to a close soon after the post rut stage, a good deer drive may also offer hunters late season action. Just remember to be careful and use safety precautions.

The post rut stage can provide hunters with an opportunity to harvest a late season buck. Just because the rutting period is over doesn’t mean the deer hunting is finished. There have been plenty of nice bucks taken during this time of the year.

After the first breeding period, there will be some does that were not bred. These does will come into estrus again about a month later. This period is known as the second rut stage. This time can again offer increased deer hunting chances for the determined hunter.

The second rut stage does not usually provide as much heavy activity as the first. However, there will be some, and the bucks will again be searching for and finding these estrus does. The hunter needs to be alert and aware of these changing conditions.

The bucks have had some time to regain strength and energy. They have been resting and feeding heavily for several weeks. The bucks will again be on foot searching for the late season estrus does. The sightings will begin to increase for a second time.

This secondary rut stage can be hunted, often as effectively, as the first stages of the rutting period. There will be fewer does in estrus, but any remaining bucks that were not previously harvested will be active. Good observation skills will keep the hunter aware of increased activity.

When it comes to deer hunting, the hunter should locate current doe feeding, traveling, and bedding areas and set up accordingly. The bucks will be traveling and monitoring these areas in search of the remaining estrus does. Pay attention to deer movement and be willing to adjust if need be.

The hunter needs to stay active as the second rut stage can be productive and offers another late season chance for success. Stay focused, hunt hard, and make the best of the remaining rutting period.

After the initial stages of the rut, and the majority of the estrus does are bred, deer activity begins to decrease. This is known as the lull rut stage.

Both the bucks and does are exhausted from all the running around and breeding activities. For several weeks, the bucks will be bedding and visiting food sources in an attempt to rejuvenate much needed rest and energy.

This is often a tough time for deer hunting. Daylight sightings of bucks will decrease. However, it is still possible to be successful.

The best bet for a hunter is to locate the remaining food sources in the area. Setting up near and hunting these feeding areas or along nearby travel trails leading to these locations. This of course requires the hunter to be familiar with the terrain and to know the deer food sources.

In many cases, hunting during the evening hours will be more productive. The bucks will be bedded down for most of the day and venture out just before or after dark. Morning hunting occasionally works but is usually less effective.

Although the lull rut stage is normally less productive than other times of the rutting period, there is always a chance at seeing bucks. It is best to continue using good hunting skills in order to remain in the hunt.