i'm new and need alot of help

[QTompkins2005]

I've never been deer hunting and i'm planning on going but i have alot of questions.

When does the rut end? this year i'm either going shot gun season or muzzle loader season (in iowa those are in late dec and jan) what calls/rattles/lures/scents should i use? Also i'm planning on going early muzzle loader season next year which is in october so what calls/rattles/lures/scents should i use then too? My target is bucks, I'm not going to shoot any does if that makes any difference. I'll be hunting from a tree stand, one spot i have is theres a pond, and then a grassy area (i have my stand set up in this grassy area, gives me a good view of the pond/creek/and all the land around it) then a creek that divides two fields, all 3 of these are running in a line north to south, this is all surounded by crop land. Another spot i have is a pond surrounded by trees and grass thats in a pretty good sized depression and its in the middle of a corn field (have my stand in one of the trees next to the pond), then along the edge of the corn field is some timber and a creek. hopefully that was understandable.

I saw some scrapes on trees in the areas i'm planning on hunting. don't really see any trails though other than hoof prints around the ponds

for the call do i need one that can do bleets and things or just one that can grunt?

Kind of a mess of questions but thanks for any help anyone can give me
-Quinten

When I was riding around on the 4 wheeler i saw a pretty good sized buck at the first location i mentiond (drinking at the pond) i'm hopen i get him

[paulywog]

I'll try to help you out with some of your questions the best I can. As for the end of the rut, that's an area by area thing and it's never the same each year. On this website, bowhunting.com, there is a basic page that tells you generic rut dates but the only true way of knowing when rut begins and starts its by spending time in the woods and watching the changing deer movement. This is what I use, I use the HS True Talker, it's able to make a large variety of calls and I feel is one of the best calls on the market and think many will agree. I take a rattling bag with me (antlers are suppose to sound more realistic) but I don't use it that much, I'm not sold on their effectiveness quite yet. I just have it with just in case I have a large buck that's not responding to calls and not coming in, just another trick to possibly throw at it. Lures and scents, if you ask 100 people you may have 100 different answers, it's more of a personal preference. Personally I bait, it's allowed by law where I'm located and I feel it's very effective. I also use a cover scent, usually just cut some balsom or pine branches which is cheap and effective. Around rut I use doe estrus with a drag line and dominant buck urine which I spray on scrapes or make mock scrapes but there are many ways to use scents and experimentation is the best way to find what you like. I hope this has helped some, good luck and welcome to a wonderful sport!

[timbercruiser]

Any chance you have a relative or friend that hunts? Hands on help would honestly be a world of help to you, especially if they are good hunters.
By the way, scrapes are areas on the ground the buck paws out, marking his place. The skinned places on trees and shrubs are called rubs. There is more to it than just that, but it is a simplified answer.

[North Texan]

A good stock pond can be a great location to hunt. Deer can find food and shelter a lot of places, but water is usually a little more scarce. If you can find a good spot where deer are coming in for a drink, I say go for it. I have taken some nice pictures when hunting a pond. The deer came in close, along with some other unexpected visitors.