Tips for the rut!?
#1
Tips for the rut!?
I am planning to do a lot of rut huntin this year and i would like to know some tips or tricks. Especially the calling, what are the calls what do they do? when should they be used, and what is your favorite call.
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southwest PA
Posts: 1,244
Focus on travel corridors, or just on the downwind side of known doe bedding areas. Bucks will cruise the downwind side as they are searching out hot does.
Depending on your area, rattling, grunting or an estrous bleat can be effective. Start out soft because you never know what may be close.
The rut is a fun time to hunt. The rut is a marathon, not a sprint. Personally, i like the pre-rut (when bucks are cruising and chasing) more than the lockdown when they are breeding.
Hope that helps and have fun.
Depending on your area, rattling, grunting or an estrous bleat can be effective. Start out soft because you never know what may be close.
The rut is a fun time to hunt. The rut is a marathon, not a sprint. Personally, i like the pre-rut (when bucks are cruising and chasing) more than the lockdown when they are breeding.
Hope that helps and have fun.
#4
get out there early, early, early. My first year bow hunting I was getting in late and was spooking deer. The following year I got in early but still spooked a few deer. Last year I was sitting on the stand for an hour before day light but I never spooked deer and saw more last year then ever before.
#5
Don't put too much hope in calls. While they do have their place it's not the most important thing. The week or two leading up to the rut is the best to use grunts and rattling. I have a Buck Roar call by Primos. It is a very good grunt call because it's realistic and louder than most. I use calls most time to "lure" a buck in that I have seen at a distance. If they are in the right state of mind you can call them in with a few grunts or hitting the horns a little. Don't over do it. It's not like calling in a turkey.
The most important thing is to hunt as much as you can. The bucks will be out at all times of the day looking for does. Go where the does are. Also believe it or not I have better than average buck sightings on windy days as the rut starts up. I believe it may cause the does to hold up in beds and the bucks will be out looking harder to find them. Just put in a lot of time and something good will happen sooner or later.
The most important thing is to hunt as much as you can. The bucks will be out at all times of the day looking for does. Go where the does are. Also believe it or not I have better than average buck sightings on windy days as the rut starts up. I believe it may cause the does to hold up in beds and the bucks will be out looking harder to find them. Just put in a lot of time and something good will happen sooner or later.
#7
#8
Pretty decent advice here so far.. But to reiterate the points I know, is to be there early and often.. The main point is to be in the woods and enjoying yourself.. As far as the areas in the woods to hunt and what to look for I'll leave that for the old vets to tell you about.. Really just always expect the unexpected, as tight360 said.. 10 AM - 3 PM most are getting out/getting back on stand.. This is a great time to be holding tight in your stand and munching on a PB&J while you watch a true bruiser walk in under you..
Good Luck!!
Good Luck!!