2nd rut and big bucks?
 

Do you think the 2nd rut is not as an effective tool to bag a mature buck as the 1st time around? Do you think the more mature bucks are already wise to the human element that has been in the woods for a month or so already? Or is the smell of love in the air enough to let their guards down again no matter what time of year it is?

RE: 2nd rut and big bucks?
 

What I have seen to be effective (down here anyway) is to "extend" the rut. I put out doe in heat scent when hunting even after the rut has taken place because those bucks are looking for the late blooming does at that time. Or find that late blooming doe and keep a close watch on her.

RE: 2nd rut and big bucks?
 

Less does will come into heat the second time around. Therefore there will be more competition to breed those does. I also will try to lay a few scent trails, and maybe hit the can and see what happens.

RE: 2nd rut and big bucks?
 

i shot my biggest buck yet in the second rut, he was chasing another buck. Id say that they are definaltly more spooky because of gun hunters but also the number of does in heat is low so they cant resist.

RE: 2nd rut and big bucks?
 

NY Bowhunter, Yes to all your questions. Read my post in the midwest "ILL rut " thread. This can be a great opportunity, but it will be more difficult. No cover (for you), all of the deer will be much more aware. The fact that you'll even see them in the daylight proves that the scent of love will knock their guard down a notch. Most likely, they'll show up after the does and fawns at a food source in the evening. I'd watch from a distance. When you start seeing younger bucks bumping does and fawns, get ready. In a day or two, the big boys will be there. In some places the Fawns will be ready to breed too. Try to plan an ambush but be warned.... sometimes this is a one and done proposition. If you are busted by the does before the buck gets there, you're done in that location. Something else that's interesting, it is during this time that I sometimes see the biggest bucks of the season. It can be real interesting.

Good luck

RE: 2nd rut and big bucks?
 

Yes its tougher in a way, but it can be just as exciting. Generally I start sighting a big buck or two just after the 2nd week of December. Don't ask me why but it seems using the wind plays even a more important part this time of year. In my area the last two weeks of December can be top notch, but using the wind and staying as scent free as possible becomes even more important in my opinion.

RE: 2nd rut and big bucks?
 

Im still learning but from what I can gather, most of your aged mature bucks will probably be noctural during pre and post rut, and maybe even peak rut (those hot does sure no how to pull them out though) Anyway, this video I whached suggested useing buck urine during pre and post rut periods b/c of the aggresivness of a mature whitetail deer. Does in heat have a lot of power over a mature buck but he didn't get mature by being stupid. The buck urine is suppose to be another element to get him wound up. Anyway, sorry to be long winded, the video is called scentology by code blue, it can be anoying at times but it is very usefull. Sorry again and good luck hunting.

RE: 2nd rut and big bucks?
 

2 workers by my house reported seeing a 12 pointer chasing a doe at noon today. I have hunted this field that the buck was in about 2 or 3 times a week, and the deer know it's pressured and haven't changed their pattern.

The guys said the buck was about 3-4 inches past it's ears on each side and somewhat tall, never seen this buck so I can't comment.

RE: 2nd rut and big bucks?
 

I don't know what type of woods you hunt but here there are big wood areas with draws and fingers connecting to them. My expierence has been that hot does will go to the tips of these draws, fingers. If you seen some of the little patches of woods I put a stand in you would prolly think I'm nuts. (you might already) I figured this out years back when alot of the timesI would head to my stands I would bump a doe and a big boy would jump up and run with her. I started hunting these outlying strips and have had great success. Great spots for the late rut action.

RE: 2nd rut and big bucks?
 

My favorite time to hunt a particular or maturebuck is in December on evening hunts.

1. Food sources become much more concentrated due to the snow levels here. I hunt big forest land country in which deer are spread way out and densities are low. This is the only time of the year that deer are forced to congregate due to the snow pack. Temperatures drop drastically. Below 0 temperatures are common.

2. Does converge on the feed. Bucks use the feed as wellwhile keeping tabs on any does that might comeinto heat. The old boys here almost always let all the other deer buffer their approach. Set up carefully. Be able to exit without letting every deer in area hear you crunch through the snow. Or smell you. The nice thing about centralized feed, its much easier to play the winds.

3. Mature bucks are recovering from the rigors of the rutting phases and they return to a core wintering ground thatthey havegrown accustom too.Carbohydrates are essential for replenishing energy levels. Hunting pressures drops off and the old bucks tend to let their guards down just a bit during last light.

if I had to rank them...

1. Snow
2. Feed
3 Possibility of estrus doe

its nice that they are all forced together..its a pretty good hand to play for a bowhunter..