What is the rut and how do we use it?

[BiG Boar]

Stupid question, but just looking for any thoughts or advice on what it is and how we can use it for our hunt. I have 2 mule deer hunts coming up in november near williams lake. Doe LEH, however, I would rather take an awsome buck as they are open! So, this whole rut thing, what is it, other than thats where the deers get it on, bigger question is what do we do differently hunting the rut? When is it on near williams lake? Should I be rolling in deer scent? Rattling some antlers? Calling? Any thoughts on how you hunt differently in the rut?

[quadrakid]

the main advantage to the rut is that the bucks are so interested in breeding that they tend to drop their guard. they travel more and will be more active during the daylight hours. my own little tip to you is hunt hard all day. where there are does there will be bucks. does often move around and feed a bit at midday and the bucks will be there as well. don,t think it,s a first light and last light type of hunting. good luck

[Chuck]

the main advantage to the rut is that the bucks are so interested in breeding that they tend to drop their guard. they travel more and will be more active during the daylight hours. my own little tip to you is hunt hard all day. where there are does there will be bucks. does often move around and feed a bit at midday and the bucks will be there as well. don,t think it,s a first light and last light type of hunting. good luck

X2.........

[BiG Boar]

k, so what I have so far is look for does and see if any bucks are with them. Is that all that you do differently in the rut?

[BigBanger]

Walking , sitting , glassing slow walking whatever . look for sign and start doing one . Its best to spend lees time in the truck and more on foot or ass .

I think ....

[kennyj]

the main advantage to the rut is that the bucks are so interested in breeding that they tend to drop their guard. they travel more and will be more active during the daylight hours. my own little tip to you is hunt hard all day. where there are does there will be bucks. does often move around and feed a bit at midday and the bucks will be there as well. don,t think it,s a first light and last light type of hunting. good luck

You nailed it IMO.Especially the staying out all day part.
kenny

[brian]

Take your year round sex drive and compress it into a few weeks. That's what the bucks are going through. Which makes them a little stupider for a few weeks. As far as women are concerned we are stupid all year round, so its a bit of evening of the scales.

[todbartell]

stick close to areas with good number of does. Mr big will show himself eventually. You'll need a 300 magnum, deer during the rut get stronger

[gone hunting]

The does and fawns, spend the late season on the south facing slopes because that is where the sun keeps it warmer than on the north slopes and there is less snow. When snow starts to deepen in the hills, the does head to these wintering areas. So.... that is where the bucks head during the second half of November. The does come into heat aproximately 6 months after their last fawns were born, assuming they have had previous fawns. If it's their first year, they come into heat around that time. The weather, phase of the moon, etc. have no effect on when a does comes into heat but it may have an effect on buck behavior. The thing is, thats where the does are, so when the bucks are in the mood for a little lovin' that where the bucks show up. The younger bucks tend to show up a little early, with the big guys muscling in when the does start to be receptive. Any does that don't get bread during this time, will come into heat again, about 4 weeks later.
So what should a guy do with this information? Well one way to hunt a new area, is to look at a topo map, pick a likely looking area, (south facing and not too high) drive around and find out where the does are hanging out, pick a place where you can watch from down wind and get there early and bring your lunch. As has been mentioned, the bucks are preoccupied with getting lucky and are much less wary. They can be seen wandering through, as they look for does that are about to be receptive, and the bucks that are with does that have yet to be bread, are reluctant to run away and leave the does when they sence danger. I like to set up a blind, so that movement I make, putting on or taking off a layer, or whatever, isn't as obvious to deer.
There are many different ways to hunt deer, and they are all more effective during the rut, because the deer are crowded into a smaller area and the bucks are preoccupied with the ladies.

[BiG Boar]

stick close to areas with good number of does. Mr big will show himself eventually. You'll need a 300 magnum, deer during the rut get stronger

perfect, i gots one of them! thanks for the tip!

[BigBanger]

W.T.F my 30-06 wont work , better buy a gun before Friday eh .

[srupp]

hmmm its ALL about the females..find the females and you WILL find the bucks...

if you only had the opportunity for sex once a year...YOU WILL BE THERE.:shock:

doesnt get any more complicated than that...:tongue:

cheers

Steven

[bruin]

Hunt places that appear to be easy travel areas for the deer especially during early rut, pay attention to timberline. Everyone else has pretty much said all the rest.

[Barracuda]

in the bucks mind it is the end of the semester ,has just finished its finals and is now looking to blow off some steam and score with the babes. :tongue:

[boxhitch]

The biggest bucks will still be in the toughest areas, and they will have does along with them, no need to get stupid. The biggest oldest will still be off in the shadows, wisdom comes with age.
One theory is that the biggest bucks are not participating in the rut or breeding, that they may be sterile. No sex, bigger antlers, no injuries, healthy winter.

[Barracuda]

W.T.F my 30-06 wont work , better buy a gun before Friday eh .

A 30-06 WILL BOUNCE OFF OF A 21 CENTURY DEER !!! :tongue:

I am currently writeing Magnum on my shell just to be sure:tongue:

[BiG Boar]

Ah, so when is this williams lake area rutting?

[gone hunting]

As boxhitch said, wisdom comes with age. Also age comes with wisdom.

[johnk]

in the bucks mind it is the end of the semester ,has just finished its finals and is now looking to blow off some steam and score with the babes. :tongue:

I think a better analogy may be they just flicked the light switch and announced last call! Talk about testosterone!:mrgreen:

[newhunterette]

Dave, you are definitely a married man for sure if you have forgotten what it means to RUT, watch out the honeymoon may be over :)

hehehehehehehe:twisted:

Rutting - go to Gabby's Caberet on a Saturday night - you will then know what the Rut is as it happens to all male animals when females send off their "come to me" phermones and then the males get all pumped up and fight for the said female's attention :)

[TIKA 300]

stick close to areas with good number of does. Mr big will show himself eventually. You'll need a 300 magnum, deer during the rut get stronger

I agree,but you forgot the 200 grain part lol

[boxhitch]

wisdom comes with age. Also age comes with wisdom.Hmm, ok. Not sure of this phrase.

A very good friend and I have a saying we toss at each other, just after pulling something real dumb

Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

[browningboy]

To put it simple, the deer are around much more and will be travelling much more...remember being 20ish and going to nightclubs looking for p***y, you shut your brain off and only two things on your mind, getting your liver damaged and becoming a porn star, so your common sense leaves you to make dumb decisions, thus the buck with becoming Ron Jeremy!

[gone hunting]

So wisdom comes with age, and age comes with wisdom.... I'm just glad no one was there with a 30-06, waiting for me to make a mistake, when I was young, foolish and in the rut, mixing testosterone and alcohol. I sure wouldn't have gotten this old.... I think we're starting to digress.

[Phil]

This is all great advice! What kind of booze do the big bucks like? I'de like to leave a pail of something intoxicating out :mrgreen:

[hunter1947]

Just go out there and work over your areas as hard as you can you will find deer.

I have found that the third week of Nov is the best time in the rut to hunt MD the bucks are love sick and they have let there guard down and are alot easier to hunt.
I like some snow on the ground then I can figure out there movement as for seeing where the track go.

When I find a well used travel route they have been using in the snow I set up there and wait 2 hour before dark.
I will be there before daylight comes to get into position and wait one hour after daylight has arrived then move on and hunt.

[sneg]

it is excellent piece of advise ,H1947.

[BiG Boar]

Thanks everyone for the advice. All much appriciated. Got to keep learning. So far it seems every animal has its own little traits. Once you learn them, you are good to go! Keep the advice coming!