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Main Rut Deer Hunting Success by Marty Prokop
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Main Rut or the peak of the rut lasts much longer than the pre-rut we discussed in my prior Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter and blog post.
In my deer hunting area in northern USA, generally the main rut will begin the last week of October to the first week in November and run to the end of November.
During Main Rut you will notice daylight hours dwindling. This change in the amount of daylight, also called photoperiodism, triggers higher testosterone production in bucks.
The combination of less daylight and more testosterone makes the bucks more agitated and less friendly towards other bucks. If you happen to see two bucks meet during Main Rut a fight usually occurs.
Scrapes… What Do They Mean?
During Main Rut, as you walk through the deer hunting woods, you will notice more scrapes on the ground and more rubs on trees and saplings. Both are calling cards to other bucks in the area that this territory is taken. All challengers welcome!
Big bucks check their scrape lines and rub lines frequently during Main Rut.
Bucks will make scrapes by pawing leaves, grasses and debris off the ground’s surface and exposing fresh earth. The buck then urinates on his tarsal glands, which drip onto the fresh earth leaving his scent behind.
There is always a licking branch above a buck scrape. Look for it. A buck will rub his pre-orbital glands (near his eyes) on the branches and lick the branch to leave additional scent. This lets both bucks and does in the area know he is there and ready for action.
Big bucks will make multiple scrapes throughout their territories. Finding a big buck’s scrape line is a great tool for intercepting him, as he will be checking the scrapes frequently.
If you find an area that has multiple scrapes relatively close to each other, you may have found a big buck’s scrape line. Set up your deer hunting tree stand off the main trail and downwind of the scrapes.
Tree Rubs… What Do They Mean?
Tree rubs are made by bucks as a way to release their frustrations as well as prepare for future battles with other bucks that enter their domains. Bucks will also make tree rub lines to mark their territories.
To locate a tree rub line stand facing a rub on a tree and look in the direction going directly away from the first rub. For example, if you spot a rub on the south side of a tree, the buck was traveling north when he made the rub. Look towards the north for additional rubs on saplings and small trees.
If you see a “string” of tree rubs in a line, you have found the buck’s travel route.
Setting up a deer hunting tree stand or ground blind near this tree rub line could put you in a big buck’s front yard.
Doe… a Deer... a Female Deer
One key factor in hunting Main Rut is to have lots of doe activity near your deer hunting location.
During Main Rut bucks will only make ground scrapes and tree rubs if there are female deer nearby. During Main Rut, bucks will travel and move to where does are located.
If there are doe deer in front of you, and the rut is on, pay close attention to their body language.
If does are running about, seeming to be overly skittish and looking over their backs constantly, be on the lookout for a big buck.
As a doe is ready to accept a buck she will hold her tail cocked off to one side. If you see a doe doing this, pay very close attention as the big buck could be close by.
There is still one magical part of the rut that is often overlooked, and it can also produce a truly huge buck. That is Post-Rut.
We’ll look at hunting Post-Rut in my next Free-Deer-Hunting-Tips.com Newsletter and blog post.
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Good Luck and Great Hunting!
Deer Hunting Expert at http://www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com
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Posted by Marty Prokop
