Deer Hunting Late Season Food Sources
After the rutting period the deer, especially the bucks, will be primarily focused on obtaining much needed nourishment. The deer go into survival mode and seek out the late season food sources.
These deer foods will be different depending upon location but most areas will have remaining field crops, food plots, or other natural deer foods. The hunter should focus on finding these feeding areas.
Since the deer will try to conserve energy, they will often bed near a food supply and get up throughout the day to feed. It is not unusual to see deer, even mature bucks, feeding during daylight hours.
In order to take advantage of the feeding areas, the hunter should locate and monitor such areas for any signs of fresh deer activity. When possible, observing from a distance is best.
A good set up will allow the hunter to slip in and out of these deer food areas without spooking or being detected by the deer. Be prepared to sit on stand for extended periods. A hot food source can be very productive during the late deer hunting season.
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7 Deer Rut Tips
This article offers seven tips for deer hunting during the rut period.
Scent Control
It is very important for hunters to take steps in reducing human odors. Proper clothing and maintenance, using scent controlling sprays, and being aware of wind directions are all vital for success. If deer hunting all day, remember to focus on scent control throughout. Mature bucks will continue to be alert for danger even during the rutting periods so watch your odors.
Hunt Feeding Areas
Both does and bucks will continue to feed throughout the deer rut. Although the bucks may not feed as much as normal, they will follow does and take advantage of the available food sources. Field crops, acorns, and secluded food plots are often good locations for finding deer during the rut.
Hunt Secluded Areas
During the rut, does coming into estrus often move away from the main deer herd. A small secluded area that provides some cover can be a great place for a hunter to set up stand. These areas don’t need to be overly thick or dense with cover. A field overgrown with tall grass or a thin sapling thicket can be all that’s needed for the does to begin breeding.
Hunt Longer
Since the deer rut will get bucks moving around more, it is wise to stay in the woods as much as possible while deer hunting. It is not unusual to see bucks roaming the woods at all hours of the day. Prepare accordingly with adequate clothing, food and drink, and a comfortable place to sit.
Hunt The Rut
As soon as the first signs of the rutting period occurs, hunters should spend all available time deer hunting. The pre rut, rut, and post rut periods all offer excellent opportunities for those who spend extra time in the field.
Use A Grunt Call
The deer rut is a good time to use a grunt call. Bucks will respond to a grunt better during the rut than any other time. Mix a series of soft grunts together or try louder grunts to see what works best. Since most areas will have a decent number of bucks, at any given time one or more may be willing to respond to grunting.
Stay Focused
It can be very easy for a hunter to let his or her guard down while spending long hours on stand. It is important not to fall into this trap. There is an old saying that you only have about five seconds on average to identify and make a harvest attempt on a buck. This is often very true so it is wise to always stay focused especially during the deer rutting periods.
Other deer hunting tips articles.
Deer Hunting Bottlenecks
So what is a bottleneck? For the purpose of deer hunting, a bottleneck is a narrow strip of land that controls or restricts whitetail deer travel areas. There can be many types of terrain that meet this criteria such as funnels, land edges, and saddles.
Funnels
A funnel is a section of land that connects two other sections of land together. For example, a small tract of trees that run parallel with and in between two fields can be considered a funnel. Another example is a patch of undergrowth that runs along the edges of a creek or river bank. Narrow sapling thickets that divide two other types of land is another.
Land Edges
A land edge is the area that runs along and borders different types of land. For example, a crop field edge that joins a wooded area. Deer will often travel just out of sight walking along the perimeter of a field until an area is reached to enter. A swamp edge that borders other terrain is also an example.
Saddles
A saddle is a low area that runs between two higher sections of ground. These areas are more common in mountain or hill terrain. Deer will travel the bottoms or lower edges of saddles. Deer will cross over the higher ground when directional change is needed.
Deer Hunting Bottlenecks
When it comes to hunting, the key to success is finding the bottlenecks and then setting up in the proper area. The use of aerial photos and topographical maps can be of assistance. However, the best approach is to scout on foot.
Once these areas are located, the next step is to find the most active and freshest deer sign and set up accordingly. One suggestion is to break the bottleneck into sections and hunt each until the best set up is found. Make sure to use proper scent control and to factor in the wind directions.
Bottlenecks offer hunters excellent opportunities and can be hunted throughout the season.
Still Hunting And Stalking Tips
Deer hunting from the ground can at times offer hunters a better chance at success. These are some tips for better still hunting and stalking for deer.
Safety
The first thing that hunters need to consider before anything else is safety. Since the hunter will be deer hunting from the ground and on foot, extra precautions must be taken. It is best to hunt on private property in which no other hunters will be nearby. Always wear hunter orange. Always be aware of the set up boundaries and terrain of the land to be hunted.
Shooting
Before firing at any deer from the ground, make sure that the shot is a safe one. This requires knowledge of what is beyond the deer. Take your time and make an accurate shot. Never rush, and if the shot is risky, don’t take it. This will help reduce any chances of accidents.
Clothing
The clothing to be worn by the hunter should be made of a soft, noise resistant material. Being on the ground dictates that the hunter will come in contact with branches, briers, undergrowth, or other natural objects that may cause noises when brushed up against. Wearing quiet clothing will reduce any unwanted sounds. It is also important that the clothing be camouflaged with patterns that blend in naturally with the terrain to be hunted.
Hunting Conditions
One of the best times to use still hunting tactics is during wet weather. The ground will be soft and wet which allows the hunter to move more quietly. Light rain or snow days offer ideal conditions. Another condition to consider is the wind. The best approach is to have the wind in the face while moving about.
Hunting Technique
The best technique for still hunting is to move slowly and methodically throughout the woods. Walk short distances as quietly as possible. Stop and look around the area thoroughly before moving on. Listen for any sounds that may be related to deer activity.
Locating Deer
To be successful, the hunter must have a good knowledge of the land and be aware of the areas that are most likely to have deer activity. These may be feeding, bedding, or travel areas. Look for fresh deer sign that indicates current deer movement. When attempting to spot the deer, look for legs or body movement, head turning, ears or tails moving, white hair patches, antlers, or even deer bedded down. A good pair of binoculars is suggested.
The key to success when it comes to still hunting or stalking for deer is to spot the deer before being detected. Use a slow quiet approach and spend enough time looking and listening before moving again.
Deer Hunting The Post Rut Stage
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.
Deer Hunting The Second Rut Stage
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.
Deer Hunting The Lull Rut Stage
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.
Deer Hunting The Rut Breeding Stage
Once the bucks have searched for, located, and chased after an estrus doe, then comes the time to breed. This is known as the breeding stage of the rut.
The bucks are now glued to the estrus doe and do not let them out of sight. Wherever the doe goes, so to goes the buck.
Buck and doe sightings are more frequent to hunters that stay in the woods all day. Although the bucks are still cautious, they do seem to let their guard down a bit if only slightly.
Does will generally seek out areas away from the other deer when it comes time to be bred. Secluded grassy or wheat fields, small patches of woods, or thickets that are away from other deer activity can offer good setup locations for deer hunting.
Rub and scrape line deer hunting is less effective during the breeding stage. A doe decoy used with estrus scents can still work if placed near food or bedding areas. The use of grunting and rattling can sometimes bring in bucks that are still seeking companionship.
The rut breeding stage, as well as the entire rutting period, is prime time to hunt all day and usually offers great success.
Deer Hunting The Rut Chase Stage
After the first does come into estrus, the bucks will begin following the does around waiting for the opportunity to breed. This period is known as the chase stage of the rut.
The bucks will stay close to the does chasing them from one place to another until the doe is ready to be bred. The bucks will become relentless during this time often becoming more visible during daylight hours.
When preparing for deer hunting, The hunter needs to locate bedding, feeding, and travel areas that are being used by the does. Tall grassy fields, small sapling thickets, and funnels that lead to these areas are excellent locations for a deer hunting setup.
The hunter can also use a doe decoy that is placed where it can be seen. Put the doe decoy in areas that are frequented by the does. Use doe in estrus deer scents placed in canisters around the decoy in a circle. This technique will often bring in bucks that are roaming the area.
The hunter can also use a set of deer rattling antlers. Use a series of short, soft sequences of up to a minute. Then pause for ten minutes or so to allow time for any buck in the area to respond. Add a grunt call to the mix before and after rattling. This can be an effective way to draw in a buck.
The rut chase stage is very exciting and allows the hunter to be aggressive during the rutting period.
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Deer Hunting The Rut Cruise Stage
As the rut nears, bucks will begin cruising the terrain in search of the first does to come into estrus. This time of the rut is known as the cruise stage.
The bucks will increase foot traffic during daytime hours. The bucks will often stay out longer during the morning and get on their feet earlier in the afternoon.
The rub lines and scrape lines will increase. The bucks will make the scrapes in areas that are frequented by the does. They will scent check these locations more often.
For the hunter, locating the rubs and active scrape lines while deer hunting will increase the odds for success. In most cases, these areas will be near doe food sources, bedding locations, and travel zones.
The use of decoys, grunt calls, and rattling antlers can also increase the chances of more buck sightings. The bucks will be more susceptible to responding to these types of setups.
Deer hunting during this early rut cruise stage of the rutting period can offer the hunter lots of excitement.
