Deer Hunting The Pre Rut
Deer Hunting Tips – The pre rut period brings with it the changing of deer activity. The bucks are leaving their bachelor groups for more of a solo lifestyle. The food sources are changing. The deer movement is adapting to the upcoming breeding period. The hunter must also adapt to these conditions.
Food Sources
The acorns will be falling providing food for the upcoming winter. There will also be late field crops, fruits, and other food supplies that will be visited. Bucks will be stocking up on food to provide extra body fat and energy that will be needed during the breeding period. Finding such food sources will provide good stand locations.
Rattling And Grunting
The pre rut period is an excellent time to use rattling and grunting techniques. The bucks will be asserting their dominance in order to set the breeding order. The sounds of rattling and grunts will often bring other deer including mature bucks in to investigate. The hunter would be wise to use these tactics.
Hunt Often
During the early pre rut and all throughout the rutting period, it is best to hunt as often as possible. The deer will begin to be more active during daylight offering more chances for sightings. The bucks will begin keeping watch in areas that hold groups of does. Hunters should pay attention to such movement by spending more time in the field.
Hunt The Cover
Does will often locate and begin using specific areas as cover during the rutting period. Often these areas are isolated patches away from their normal travel routes. These areas are used when the doe comes into estrus. They may be in fields that are over grown, a small patch of saplings, or even the edges of a swamp. These are good places to hunt.
Rubs And Scrapes
There will be an increase in both rubs and scrapes during the pre rut. Bucks will be checking scrape locations in search of any sign of the first estrus does. Finding a fresh scrape line may provide a good set up for a stand.
Good luck and be safe.
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