Deer Rut Body Signs
During the early stages and throughout the rut, deer will use different body signs and language than any other times of the year. A hunter needs to learn and pay attention to these signs as a means of understanding when the deer rut occurs.
Bucks
The bucks appearance will change towards the deer rut. The neck will begin to increase in size. The hair on the tarsal glands will become darker. Other changes include scars and broken tines due to fighting.
The deer rut also brings aggression into play. The bucks will often raise the hairs on its back, extend the ears back, and walk stiff legged. These are all signs that the rut is near.
While travelling the bucks will often keep nose to the ground searching for estrus does. The bucks may also be seen during daylight hours more frequently.
Does
The deer rut also changes how the does act. The does will often separate from the main herd of deer during estrus. A sign that the doe is coming into season is that the tale is held straight out as the doe walks.
When walking, the doe may frequently rotate the ears backward or keep a watchful look over her back trail. This can be an indication that a buck may be following. Both can be signs of the deer rut.
These are just a few signs of the deer rut. By watching the body signs and actions of deer, they can be used to better determine when the rut occurs.
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8 Deer Rut Tips
1. Be aware of the changing deer signs found throughout the area to be hunted. As the deer rut approaches, there will be more deer activity.
2. Look for and hunt well kept scrape lines during the early deer rut period. Deer hunting scrapes found leading from bedding areas to feeding areas can be very productive.
3. A rub line can also be an effective location to hunt during the early stages of the rut. As with scrape lines, more than one buck will make use of these areas.
4. Hunt near areas that offer good doe activity. Feeding and bedding areas that provide doe sightings will soon have bucks and will offer prime locations for the hunter.
5. Keep a watchful eye out for younger bucks that begin cruising or chasing after does. This is an obvious sign that the deer rut is near. Mature bucks will soon be more active.
6. Pay close attention to the body language of the does. A doe that is constantly looking back may be an indication that a buck is nearby.
7. As the deer rut progresses, find and hunt near isolated patches of cover. Does will frequent these areas and the bucks will follow.
8. After the initial phases of the deer rut, the bucks will return to thick cover to rest. Locating and deer hunting these areas hard can be very effective.
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.
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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 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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