Would you say that most hunters are rut dependant ? I would say that most hunters are oppertunists.
Does the rut ruin the "patterning" you've done on a mature buck ? If I haven't killed the buck I've patterned before the rut kicks in, then I've screwed up.
Obviously, the chance of seeing more mature bucks is greatly increased during the peak of breeding. However, is the rut a golden nugget to you or is it more of a pain in the butt ? You'll see more mature bucks before the peak of breeding. The rut is just another slice of pie for my style of hunting.
Alot of hunters put forth a lot of effort and money when it comes to patterning bucks for early season harvest. They are extremely aggressive in theearly season. Being extremely aggressive in the early season can be disasterous.
Other hunters appear to just kind of meander around teh woods, waiting, patiently, for the rut to begin. Can't argue that.
Do you put extreme emphasis on patterning a buck- down to what time he should be on what trail ? I have successfully in the past.
Or do you locate an area that looks good and tehn hope for the best when they rut kicks in ? This is how I started out when I was first learning about mature bucks.
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So there I was, Nov 12th 1996, flying down the highway, smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee, windows down for scent control.
Not to answer all of your questions, but I have the best luck killing a mature buck before the rut. I really try to figure out their feeding patterns and kill one while still in groups or when the groups first break up. The rut can be fun but the deer are so unpredictable that it would have to rate 2nd in my wish list of hunting times.
Would you say that you are rut dependant? - No, in fact I have never killed a mature buck during the rut, they all have been late season when they got back onto feeding patterns.
Would you say that most hunters are rut dependant?- I would say most hunters love the rut because the action is so fast and a lot of big boys fall during the rut for sure
Does the rut ruin the "patterning" you've done on a mature buck? - Without a doubt, take everything you know and throw it out the window when the rut comes.
Obviously, the chance of seeing more mature bucks is greatly increased during the peak of breeding. However, is the rut a golden nugget to you or is it more of a pain in the butt? - I love the rut, it is an exciting time to be in the woods for sure.
Would you say that most hunters are rut dependant?
Do you put extreme emphasis on patterning a buck- down to what time he should be on what trail? - I have never lived closest enought to my hunting properties to be able to spend that amount of time scouting. I would love to be able to watch fields every evening in the summer, but I live 2 - 21/2 hours from where I hunt.
Or do you locate an area that looks good and tehn hope for the best when they rut kicks in? - I scout and looking for pinch points and stagging areas for early season. I look for doe bedding areas and heavily used trails for the rut.
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North American Outfitters
618-651-1800
Would you say that you are rut dependant ? No, my biggest and oldest bucks have all been killed outside of the rut.
Would you say that most hunters are rut dependant ? Yes, look at the dates most/the majority ofbig bucks are killed.
Does the rut ruin the "patterning" you've done on a mature buck ? The only pattern you I can get on a mature buck during the rut is if I have seen him in a certain doe groups area one year and then go back to hunt him during the rut on that same doe group. It doesnt always work but I have killed a couple bucks I knew pretty well by targeting those doe groups.
Obviously, the chance of seeing more mature bucks is greatly increased during the peak of breeding. However, is the rut a golden nugget to you or is it more of a pain in the butt ? For me the rut is atime when expect the unexpected buck to show up, one that I have never seen nor do I know.
Alot of hunters put forth a lot of effort and money when it comes to patterning bucks for early season harvest. They are extremely aggressive in theearly season. Being too aggressive in the early season can cost you, It has me, I try to be pretty careful these days as to keep a big buck around throughout the entire season. The only time I reallyworry about him being killed or letting his guard downis during the rut.
Other hunters appear to just kind of meander around teh woods, waiting, patiently, for the rut to begin.
Do you put extreme emphasis on patterning a buck- down to what time he should be on what trail ? In the early season, Sept/Oct and then again in Dec, yes.
Or do you locate an area that looks good and tehn hope for the best when they rut kicks in ? I think hunting a good area/habitat is the start. "How" you hunt an area is the next step, zoning in on individual deer within the area is another step.
Would you say that you are rut dependant ? I have been in the past....unknowingly. I've tried to change that up this season....with no (buck down) success, so far. I'm still having a blast chasing them.
Would you say that most hunters are rut dependant ? Yes. IMO....if you're locked into a certain spot....or few spots....or VERY limited acreage...."chasing" a buck is futile unless he's bedding on or very near where you're able to hunt him. If he's using your area as a travel route....i can see that being a way around this....but IMO....you have to have access to his bedding, feeding grounds, ....the total package....to really play the game. It's only my opinion on this. If you're lacking any of the pieces....you're somewhat of an "opportunist" yourself. You'r ehaving to depend on him coming through your area. Now knowing when/where/why he's doing that.....and being able to know when to set up on him there.....that's commendable.
Does the rut ruin the "patterning" you've done on a mature buck ?
IMO....YES.
Obviously, the chance of seeing more mature bucks is greatly increased during the peak of breeding. However, is the rut a golden nugget to you or is it more of a pain in the butt ?
Golden nugget when that time rolls around....but everything I've been trying to gain knowledge about will be thrownout the window when they start seeking. Only thing it'll help with my pursuit is seeing them more (possibly) in daylight hours.
Alot of hunters put forth a lot of effort and money when it comes to patterning bucks for early season harvest. They are extremely aggressive in theearly season.
Other hunters appear to just kind of meander around teh woods, waiting, patiently, for the rut to begin.
Do you put extreme emphasis on patterning a buck- down to what time he should be on what trail ?
I have this year. Not what time....but with what wind.
Or do you locate an area that looks good and tehn hope for the best when they rut kicks in ?
I am extremely rut dependant. I don't have a situation where I believe I could even come close to "patterning" a mature buck during the early season. Best I can hope for is catching one that for whatever reason comes out before dark and past a stand I am sitting in. I won't hold my breath for that to happen any time soon.
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Just a regular guy who likes to hunt
I'd say I am rut dependent for the most part. Where I hunt mostly, the mature bucks don't "live" on my property, so I am dependent on them passing through - which doesn't happen much until the rut kicks in, unfortunately. There's always the outside chance, which is why I keep going both sides of the rut.
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