Is it better to hunt morning or evening during the rut?
During the rut, you’ll often see more animal movement throughout the day, but mornings can be downright awesome. Dawn is often called “happy hour” because bucks are looking for ladies before bedding down after a long night. And if you’re bowhunting elk in September, nothing beats bugling bulls at sunrise.
How often should I grunt during rut?
The best calling success occurs around the peak of the rut. This is when bucks are on the prowl, scraping and seeking does. Crank it up by blowing loud, choppy tending grunts every 30 minutes or so. The calls should sound something like urrrrppp, urrrrppp, urrrrppp.
What’s the best way to hunt a rut deer?
Phase One: Late Pre-Rut. 1 1. Hunt the Bullies. “It’s time to go after the most aggressive deer. Identify them either by direct observation or via trail camera. Bully bucks will 2 2. Reap the Harvest. 3 3. Get the Big Picture. 4 4. Go Mobile. 5 5. Sneak a Scrape.
What to look for in a whitetail rut?
Look for a major uptick in scraping activity, and be ready to set up overlooking the freshest spoor, or on trails leading to it. With a late-afternoon moonrise, also focus on field edges or oak stands, as deer will be hitting the grub with plenty of daylight to spare. Expect aggressive behavior, with bucks trolling hard for that first hot doe.
What’s the best way to hunt a whitetail deer?
So, he patrols favorite haunts within his home range, rubbing and scraping and covering ground in a search for that first estrous doe. It’s a killer time to catch him taking a daylight stroll in or near his core area. Here’s how four experts from around the country make the most of it.
Where do Muley bucks go during the rut?
“Muley bucks are hugely migratory during this phase of the rut. A deer that summered 40 miles away will be down in the foothills now, checking does as peak breeding approaches. Year after year, he gets there by following the same terrain funnels leading from high to low.