Bow hunting the rut?

[Chipdasqrrl]

Apparently the rut has started here in Northern Michigan. In general I'd try to catch deer between bedding and feeding when bow hunting outside of the rut. What are some tactics you use during the rut, when the bucks turn stupid? Go where the does go? Doe estrous? Food sources?
I'm new to hunting this two week stretch of rutting before gun season, so anything helps.

 

[Kwood]

The “rut” really lasts a lot longer than people tend to characterize and is the period of does coming into estrus. Generally starts with the first few coming into estrus and ends later in the cycle with young does and deer coming into second cycles if not bred.

The peak rut is typically the time of year to catch more bucks on their feet during daylight than any other times. Some bucks literally will run miles and miles in search of deer.

The early part of this peak (happening now in my neck of the woods) is my favorite with mature bucks just starting to cruise. Most does are not in estrus yet and are still grouped and with fawns. This will change over the next week. That’s when all hell breaks loose.

I like to hunt major deer trails in the woods where deer are seeking.

If unsure where to go, go where you see does most often. I prefer hunting timber versus food plots in rut.

Lots of things get flipped on their head from what you expect to be normal. You can spot deer any time of the day and a lot of times you will see the big ones between 10-2.

It’s fun, can be crazy, but it’s the week or two of the year I look forward to the most.


Sent from my iPhone using Deer Hunter Forum

 

[X-farmerdan]

Here in Virginia where I sit, looking out the window it seems like the boys are constantly chasing the girls. But, from the week of Halloween into the first two weeks of November it's full speed ahead! What works for me...what works on the farm....may not be the same for you.
My first reaction to your question is to tell you to go anywhere. As much as they are moving it just seems to me the odds of seeing bucks looking for does gets a lot better. Still, play the wind and get in and out as quietly as you can.

My second thought is to hunt open fields of a certain size. I'm not sure what size is required. Look for inside corners or edges on smaller fields where there might be an elevation advantage for a buck looking for a doe. On the farm there are two five acre fields side-by-side. They are in the middle of surrounding woodlot. The nearest major crop field is a thousand yards away (don't laugh). But, because of its location its something of a "social" gathering spot. WE plant food plots there and leave many blocks of weeds. Deer love to lay in those tall weeds. So, bucks find a spot where they feel safe enough and look and cruise those two five acre fields because they can see - a lot without too much work.

 

[Jeff H]

1. Down wind of where the does like to be.
2. Intersections. I have two good ones on my place where a good North-South trail meets a good E-W trail. More traffic just ups the odds a bit.

 

[Ronald]

Here in Ga. I’ve had good success hunting near the bedding area. Just have to be very careful with your approach and never when the wind is not in your favor. Be as scent free as possible and use a good cover scent. Best I’ve ever used is Indian buck lure. Good luck

 

[Mennoniteman]

Hunt on travel routes parallel to bedding and feeding areas rather than the shorter routes leading to those areas. Bucks like to travel along the shoulder of a ridge, along the borders of a field, cruising old overgrown woods roads, or any "edge". Cruising bucks just love "edge". They like to travel downwind from doe bedding areas, and will often travel somewhere where they have a good view of the terrain. Study your satellite maps for pinch points where bucks must travel to get from one field/bedding area system to another, often late morning they will be moving from the one doe group area to another, that's a good time and place to intercept them. When bow hunting the rut I don't call much, but keep a grunt tube handy to stop a cruising buck for the shot.