Which week for the Rut?
 

If you had to pick a week to hunt the rut, would you pick the last week of Oct or the first week of Nov?

I like to lean on the moon when it gets down to choosing which week. The week after full moon which splits the last week an the first week of November. But, with that said the deal breaker would be the temps. What it is worth. I'm scheduled for the 19th- 27th of Oct. Then the Nov. 2nd-11th.

I agree with AR that temps are the biggest driving factor in deer movement even during the rut. With warm temps the big boys will still be cruising and scent checking but just will be doing it under the cover of darkness when its alot cooler. As far as time off to hunt goes, well Ive read every Alsheimer book out there and many other moon oriented books for deer movement and have seen some increase in movement over the years but not enough for me to change what has always worked for me. Keep in mind the days of increased activity were also of normal or below normal temps. My vacation this year and for many years in the past will from Nov 2 thru Nov 11. Good luck

October 31st has always been the best day for me. So if u can get 7 days starting then ur good . I feel if u wait to long in November the bucks are already in lock down with a doe that they may stay with for a couple days and then they move when that doe moves or when they have finished breeding her and r on the hunt for the next 1.But I want to be in the woods when the first few come into heat. Then the bucks r up on their feet checking multiple doe groups instead of being locked on 1 doe

I've shot two of my biggest deer withing a day or two of Halloween, but when it comes down to it I'm choosing based on weather, not date or moon phase. Bring me some cold, nasty weather and I'm in the stand all day!

You have the rut handled!!!! :party::s2:

the most buck activity i see is usually with in a couple days of Oct 31st either way. that is when i have shot all my bucks.

First week of November undoubtedly.

Nov 3-11 if i had to choose a week

The reports based on moon phase that I've seen this year predict a later rut, like second & third week of November -- not that I won't be hunting earlier.

I typically call the rut a couple weeks after I start seeing rubs n scrapes which is usually 2nd to 3rd week in Oct, And my best hunting Where I see the most Deer has always been from the week before halloween till mid nov then I hardly see anything till after first week of Dec and then its sparatic. and yes temp plays a Major roll in daytime sightings

Always around Halloween is usually a safe bet.

I don’t hunt according to the moon...research has proved that it doesn’t have an effect on deer movement. But what I do think about the moon is it’s a factor. I think several factors like the weather temp, barometric pressure, shorter days, and moon light…etc all play in to affect and come together to make that magical time of year best time to hunt. Usually that end of Oct into first and second week November. Also seen years where the 2nd and 3rd week of November was prime time. Just depends on all the factors. Shoot, down in south Texas and Mexico, the rut is in full swing in February. If I had to choose one factor it would be the cold weather.