The Pre-rut and Tactics for Deer Hunting
01-11-2023, 03:00 AM
#1
Spike
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Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: New York
Posts: 2
The Pre-rut and Tactics for Deer Hunting
If there's one time that best defines deer hunting, it's in the ruts.That's when the buck throws all caution to the winds and runs desperately across the land in search of a breeding mate. Deer behavior changes at every stage of the season. Smart hunters know how to adapt.
The Pre-rut and Tacticsfor Deer Hunting
Groups of stag bachelors that might have been predictable just a few weeks ago are now falling apart, while individual stags are now establishing territories. They mark these territories with rubbing and abrasions. Encounters with other stags now result in aggressive stances and, over time, violent fights.
In addition to deer behavior, food sources are also changing. Cold nights and shorter days are killing the rich greenery in the woods at Open House. Many consider this time of year to be the hardest to hunt - but it has its benefits.
l Food sources are changing, but choices are more limited. With browsing options dwindling, Deer must focus on what's available. Harvested cornfields, grain fields and masts are more attractive than ever. Although the rut is coming, in the early days before the rut, it's still all about the food.
l The weather is improving. Nobody likes to sit in a tree stand and swat mosquitoes when it’s 90 degrees out. Those first chilly days of October, whether you see a deer or not, are simply a glorious time to be in the woods.
l The buck sign appears. Finding big rubs and clean scrapes can help you hone in on your particular buck's routine. They are a sure sign that the frenzied pace of late October and November is coming.
How to build the perfect deer-hunting ground blind？
Plan the Size
A shooting booth keeps you covered and comfortable while you sit for long periods of time during gun season. So how big should your shoot room be? It depends a lot on the number of hunters using it at one time. While the 4-foot by 4-foot size is comfortable for one person, it's too cramped for a pair of hunters. If you plan on hunting with a buddy, even a young hunter, aim for 5' by 5', 4' by 6', or even larger. If you plan on hunting with a partner, even a young hunter, aim for 5-foot-by-5-foot, 4-foot-by-6-foot, or even larger.
Get the Materials
The frame is one place you don't want to skimp. Go ahead and buy new, high-quality wood for the base of your shutters. For shutters with platforms less than 6 feet off the ground, you can use treated 4×4 posts for the legs. An 8-foot ad can run about $10, depending on location. If you plan to climb higher, consider upsizing the post to 4 x 6 or 6 x 6 to minimize sway in high winds.
For the base frame, treated 2 x 8 boards will provide a solid platform for years of service. Again, a treated 2×8×10 should cost between $10 and $15, depending on the store and location. A treated 2×4 is the best choice for building walls in shutters. Even if rainwater blows into the blinds, they will last for years. Choose durable flooring. Treated 5/4 decking makes for a strong floor and is more resistant to water over time than plywood or untreated pine.
Getting It There
One of the disadvantages of homemade blinds is that they are large and heavy. For this reason, it's easier to pre-measure and cut lumber at home and ship it in pieces to the field than to build shutters on the driveway and try to ship it to the field.
Once in the field, a tractor with a front bucket is great for lifting and standing blinds. If you don't have a tractor, or can't tow a tractor to your hunting location, erect the platform first and build shutters on it one wall at a time rather than trying to hoist the whole section into place.
Tips for a successful deer hunting season
Hope you are planning, preparing and perfecting your strategy for hunting season all year long. If you have, pat yourself on the back because you deserve it. If you're like the rest of us, we need to think about a few things to get ready for this season. See below for some tips for a successful deer hunting season.
Scouting
Scouting probably has the biggest impact on deer hunting success. If you are unsure what you are looking for, or how to go about it, scouting can seem like a daunting task. No matter how large or small the property you are hunting, keen observation and understanding of how and why deer move on that landscape is important. Even making an adjustment of a couple feet here or there can make all the difference in success.
Picking a spot
You may be looking for a place to put a tree stand for the season, or just to decide on a place to set up a ground blind on the day you hunt. Ideally, you should try to find a spot that is close enough to areas where deer are likely to move so that you can shoot easily while still allowing you to remain concealed.
Keep the prevailing wind direction in mind to ensure your location is downwind of the area you want the deer to travel to. A good strategy is to identify multiple stall locations and only seek out a given stall on days when the wind blows away from the area where you expect to see deer travel.
Last but not least, don't forget to keep your body temperature in the outdoor.The truth is that you should bring hand warmers for hunting. Some hunters recommend Ocoopa Union 2s rechargeable hand warmers.You could separate them, and keep these two hand warmers in each palm of the hand to warm yourself, which is usually happens to us in cold seasons when your hands remain stiff. So for those moments it is very convenient to carry rechargeable hand warmers in the hand, with a battery life in each of the parts depending on the degree of temperature that you choose, they will last longer or less.
Scent control and pressure
It is extremely important to scout and take the time to figure out why, how and where deer are traveling. The more time you put in, the better. However, your presence also has an impact. The dynamics of each region will have slightly different tolerances for human activity, but generally speaking, every time you are in a deer environment, you increase their awareness and vigilance. This is true both for scouting and hunting a location often.
And it is generally safe to avoid going to areas where you are actively hunting or plan to hunt unless necessary. It's always a balancing act. To keep deer from figuring out your patterns instead of the other way around, an increasingly popular method is "hang and hunt." This method involves identifying the area or trees you want to return to and setting up the stand before you go hunting. The premise is based on choosing many areas for hunting rather than being confined to one. This method may not be suitable if you are hunting a small piece of land. It might be something to consider if you're venturing onto a larger property or some of Michigan's 8 million+ acres of public hunting grounds.
Review current regulations
Be sure to check the latest hunting regulations in your area, which may influence your strategy.
If you have any questions about hunting regulations, you can contact a conservation officer for assistance.
The Pre-rut and Tacticsfor Deer Hunting
Groups of stag bachelors that might have been predictable just a few weeks ago are now falling apart, while individual stags are now establishing territories. They mark these territories with rubbing and abrasions. Encounters with other stags now result in aggressive stances and, over time, violent fights.
In addition to deer behavior, food sources are also changing. Cold nights and shorter days are killing the rich greenery in the woods at Open House. Many consider this time of year to be the hardest to hunt - but it has its benefits.
l Food sources are changing, but choices are more limited. With browsing options dwindling, Deer must focus on what's available. Harvested cornfields, grain fields and masts are more attractive than ever. Although the rut is coming, in the early days before the rut, it's still all about the food.
l The weather is improving. Nobody likes to sit in a tree stand and swat mosquitoes when it’s 90 degrees out. Those first chilly days of October, whether you see a deer or not, are simply a glorious time to be in the woods.
l The buck sign appears. Finding big rubs and clean scrapes can help you hone in on your particular buck's routine. They are a sure sign that the frenzied pace of late October and November is coming.
How to build the perfect deer-hunting ground blind？
Plan the Size
A shooting booth keeps you covered and comfortable while you sit for long periods of time during gun season. So how big should your shoot room be? It depends a lot on the number of hunters using it at one time. While the 4-foot by 4-foot size is comfortable for one person, it's too cramped for a pair of hunters. If you plan on hunting with a buddy, even a young hunter, aim for 5' by 5', 4' by 6', or even larger. If you plan on hunting with a partner, even a young hunter, aim for 5-foot-by-5-foot, 4-foot-by-6-foot, or even larger.
Get the Materials
The frame is one place you don't want to skimp. Go ahead and buy new, high-quality wood for the base of your shutters. For shutters with platforms less than 6 feet off the ground, you can use treated 4×4 posts for the legs. An 8-foot ad can run about $10, depending on location. If you plan to climb higher, consider upsizing the post to 4 x 6 or 6 x 6 to minimize sway in high winds.
For the base frame, treated 2 x 8 boards will provide a solid platform for years of service. Again, a treated 2×8×10 should cost between $10 and $15, depending on the store and location. A treated 2×4 is the best choice for building walls in shutters. Even if rainwater blows into the blinds, they will last for years. Choose durable flooring. Treated 5/4 decking makes for a strong floor and is more resistant to water over time than plywood or untreated pine.
Getting It There
One of the disadvantages of homemade blinds is that they are large and heavy. For this reason, it's easier to pre-measure and cut lumber at home and ship it in pieces to the field than to build shutters on the driveway and try to ship it to the field.
Once in the field, a tractor with a front bucket is great for lifting and standing blinds. If you don't have a tractor, or can't tow a tractor to your hunting location, erect the platform first and build shutters on it one wall at a time rather than trying to hoist the whole section into place.
Tips for a successful deer hunting season
Hope you are planning, preparing and perfecting your strategy for hunting season all year long. If you have, pat yourself on the back because you deserve it. If you're like the rest of us, we need to think about a few things to get ready for this season. See below for some tips for a successful deer hunting season.
Scouting
Scouting probably has the biggest impact on deer hunting success. If you are unsure what you are looking for, or how to go about it, scouting can seem like a daunting task. No matter how large or small the property you are hunting, keen observation and understanding of how and why deer move on that landscape is important. Even making an adjustment of a couple feet here or there can make all the difference in success.
Picking a spot
You may be looking for a place to put a tree stand for the season, or just to decide on a place to set up a ground blind on the day you hunt. Ideally, you should try to find a spot that is close enough to areas where deer are likely to move so that you can shoot easily while still allowing you to remain concealed.
Keep the prevailing wind direction in mind to ensure your location is downwind of the area you want the deer to travel to. A good strategy is to identify multiple stall locations and only seek out a given stall on days when the wind blows away from the area where you expect to see deer travel.
Last but not least, don't forget to keep your body temperature in the outdoor.The truth is that you should bring hand warmers for hunting. Some hunters recommend Ocoopa Union 2s rechargeable hand warmers.You could separate them, and keep these two hand warmers in each palm of the hand to warm yourself, which is usually happens to us in cold seasons when your hands remain stiff. So for those moments it is very convenient to carry rechargeable hand warmers in the hand, with a battery life in each of the parts depending on the degree of temperature that you choose, they will last longer or less.
Scent control and pressure
It is extremely important to scout and take the time to figure out why, how and where deer are traveling. The more time you put in, the better. However, your presence also has an impact. The dynamics of each region will have slightly different tolerances for human activity, but generally speaking, every time you are in a deer environment, you increase their awareness and vigilance. This is true both for scouting and hunting a location often.
And it is generally safe to avoid going to areas where you are actively hunting or plan to hunt unless necessary. It's always a balancing act. To keep deer from figuring out your patterns instead of the other way around, an increasingly popular method is "hang and hunt." This method involves identifying the area or trees you want to return to and setting up the stand before you go hunting. The premise is based on choosing many areas for hunting rather than being confined to one. This method may not be suitable if you are hunting a small piece of land. It might be something to consider if you're venturing onto a larger property or some of Michigan's 8 million+ acres of public hunting grounds.
Review current regulations
Be sure to check the latest hunting regulations in your area, which may influence your strategy.
If you have any questions about hunting regulations, you can contact a conservation officer for assistance.
