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.
