I've heard it occurs around 28 days after the first rut.
is this for real? if so, would you hunt closer to beddin
areas the 2nd time around, or just hunt where you hunted
the first rut, where the does are feedin? I'm curious
because if this is true, then I'll need to be in the woods
next week.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

daytona 500 winner- Ward Burton
go Cat-22

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I agree. There can be great hunting in December. The bucks never really stop looking for does however the action slows because there are fewer does that have not been breed.

I also see some bucks that I don't normally see with the herd during this time. i.e. they may travel a little ways to breed does that have not been bred.

I am not sure but this activity may also depend on the buck to doe ratio also.

Lazyarcher is correct. Hunt the foos sources the deer are using now in your area. The bucks will stiil show up and are still attracted by a bleat call. But food is fast becoming their #1 quest here in Iowa.

KEEP IT LEGAL. KEEP IT SAFE. OR WE MAY NOT GET TO KEEP IT AT ALL.

Yes to all of the above. But the timing is a bit different.

The second and possibly third ruts PEAK 25-26 days following the previous one. A does eustrous cycle is actually 21-23 days apart.

The 28 day cycle was arrived at by associating the lunar cycle (4 weeks) to the does heat cycle. This is not the correct timing.

As for bucks, they are capable of breeding up to the point when they shed their antlers. The hormone change they experience while shedding velvet performs a 180 and within a day or two after the antlers drop, they lose the drive to mate.

Hunt where the does feed, even better a short travel route between bedding and feeding areas. The bucks will still be checking does, even if they have already been bred.



Shoot often - Hunt always

So &quot;THEY&quot; say. Personnally,.... I've never really experienced it. I've hunted it, tried to calculate it using 26 days and all that.... But I've never really seen anything to get excited about. I would think if you had super over doe populations the chances of their being more does around in heat would be greater. I only say that because it seems the more closely you were to 1:1 buck/doe the more likely they all get whacked the first time. Soooooooooo.....&quot;THEY&quot; say it exist.... I say not much to get excited about in my woods.

Where the does are, bucks will follow. It does not contain the intensity as the November rut, but I always find new rubs this time of yr.(NOW). Last yr. at this time I had close encounters with 2 P & Y class bucks.....but couldn't get a shot.

The way I understand it is that the &quot;Secondary Rut&quot; revolves mostly around yearling does and the fact that they come into estrus later in the season? The degree of this secondary rut is mostly dependent upon the number and concentration of these yearling does.......anybody else back that up?

I have taken my 2 biggest bucks in the late season!
I had a buck that net.scored 135 come in to a scent canister of doe in heat scent on Dec.12 a few years back.
I also took a 150 class buck that I grunted into bow range in the late season....so yes,I have had some success in the 2nd rut and there are years when it seems stronger than others.
Jerry www.stealtharchey.com

We noticed several fresh Elk Rubs during our late November Elk Hunt. They were not as active and were not bugling but they were still chasing cows coming into estrous.

This is true for all ungulates.

Dick