Hey guys:
Should I expect to see any rut activity in the second season? I have been out in years passed with my smokepole and it seems that the second rut I have heard about it only a myth. I have yet to see any rutting activity, but I wasn't sure what I should expect. I didn't know if anyone had any second rut hints or experiences they could share to help me out for the upcoming smokepole and late bow season. Thanks!

Kyle

Actually, a month after the rut would be the first two weeks of December. I think, by the time the late flintlock season rolls around, there's not much going on anymore.

Scott Meier
White Oak Lodge

Ditto on what Scott stated. There was talk of the second rut towards the last Saturday of rifle but other than a slight increase in doe movement I saw nothing to indicate that in my area.

can't say about penn. but here in jersey we found more fresh rut activety today than we did during novmber. the woods were tore up

I found fresh scrapes, in the snow, in the 2nd week of gun season. Also, I have a bow hunter friend who swears by the late season rut, but, then again, he's hunting on private land, which is a whole different scenario.

the late rut runs in the late bow season you dont see the deer like early rut because they are all scared to death to move during the day most of the activity is mature very smart old bucks i have taken several big bucks the last week of dec. you do have to work on it though. my favorite set up is a 2 man team one shooter one grunt and rattle man these big dominant smart bucks hide all rifle season the younger less seasoned bucks are mostly shot during gun season. except the smart ones when you find fresh scrapes this time of the year they may be used for territory marking i start looking the last week of the month make a few mock scrapes using a dominant buck lure. if a buck visits it set up early 5.30 am until 1/2 hr. after dark see when he is coming i use a trail cam but still set up to make sure i have taken my biggest bucks t the last few minutes on several hunting trips. just remember you are hunting the bucks that gave you the slip in gun season they are sly well trained to avoid you.