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Rut Hunting Strategies
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  • Did you have any encounters with Big this season? Should I be hunting closer to the food during the rut?
    cw from VA asks:
    Bill, congrats on the shows success and a great season. Was curious about Big. Did you have any encounters with him during the season? Have you seen any signs of him recently (trail cam photos). One final question. I am fairly successful at seeing bucks during bow season here (month of October), and I don't see many does during this time. I generally do not hunt directly over crop fields or food plots. I struggle to get on bucks during the rut, should I concentrate my efforts more around food at this time? Thanks very much. Appreciate and enjoy your thoughts.
    Winke Responds:
    CW, I stayed out of his area. I wanted to see him next year to see what he looks like at age 7. Looks like I may get to see what G4 looks like at 7 too. Those two bucks have bene at the top of my hit list since 2009. Next year, regardless of what Big looks like, I am going to try to get him. He was much more visible this year (early) than last so I hope that trend continues. I haven't seen him or run cameras in his area, but his core was so small this past year that I think he will be there again. He has lived in the same area for the past three years. I hope we find his sheds, but the real thrill will be when we start to pick these deer up again in the summer. I like to focus near the food in the evenings. I guess I just figure the does are heading that way and so are the bucks. You don't have to be right on the food, but close is good. Staging areas are ideal. Best regards. (1-26-12)
  • What do you think about the rut at this stage? Do you think the bucks are cruising?
    jason from IA asks:
    Bill, I really enjoy your show and website. You seem to be the most down to earth, modest guy on TV. Your shows are very informative and really relate to the normal hunter. Whats your thoughts on whats going on with the Iowa rut at this stage? Do you think the majority of doe's are bred at this point. Do you think their is some good buck activity yet to come the 16-30th? Seen some real good bucks this year, but the cruising was minimal at best with the big boys. Thanks Jason
    Winke Responds:
    Jason, Thanks. I appreciate that. I think this year's rut is almost a repeat of last year's. If you have a hot doe around, you have great action. If not, it is dead. I am not sure why. We don't have a high deer number so it is not like the bucks have a ton of options. For whatever reason the mature bucks aren't cruising (or if they are it is only after dark). I always say that November 20 through 26 is good hunting (rut movement) and then you have to turn to food. Again, I think this year is much like last year. Seems to be the case all across the Midwest. I am starting to think it has something to do with the overall herd dynamics. Maybe with a falling deer number the bucks are less actively cruising. Not sure. Something is causing it that is not obvious. Good luck. (11-27-11)
  • Will the bucks still be using rut patterns after the Missouri gun season ends on November 22? How long do you keep hunting rut patterns?
    Lee from MO asks:
    Bill, Missouri regular rifle season ends November 22 (Tuesday). Will mature bucks that survived gun season still cruise funnels between bedding areas looking for does? Will a doe decoy help pull a buck in during the post-gun season? Last, what dates would you keep hunting bucks this way if you don't have any standing grain plots for late season? I only have cut corn and bean fields to hunt nearby, but I plan to pay a farmer next year to leave 1/2 to 1 acre of beans. Thanks Bill.
    Winke Responds:
    Lee, They will do it for sure, they still have to breed. But whether they do it during the daylight really depends on the amount of hunting pressure they have endured in that area. I think the decoy will help but only in wide open settings where they can see them from a distance. I wouldn't use them in feeding areas for fear that a doe or two will come in and see the decoy and then check it out and spook. I hunt rut patterns until November 26 and then I switch entirely to hunting food patterns and skip the morning hunts. I am sure if you have the time the mornings can still pay off a bit, but November 26 is the beginning of the end for any rutting patterns. I think leaving standing crop is a big deal. The late season is all about food. If you have the best food the deer will be there. Good luck. (11-27-11)
  • Is it better to sit mornings or evenings in the rut if you have limited time?
    Bee from WI asks:
    I have little ones at home to take care of so I can only sit either mornings or evenings. This first wk of Nov has been in the 30's in the mornings, and 50's by afternoons here in WI. Is it better to sit mornings when it's colder or evenings? Do bucks typically move more in the mornings during the rut?
    Winke Responds:
    Bee, I always like mornings better. I think the bucks are on their feet longer in the mornings than in the evenings. But that is just a general statement. Each situation is likely a bit different. Good luck. (11-15-11)
  • What do you do when a buck you rattle in hangs back and doesn't come close enough for a shot?
    Daniel from OH asks:
    What are you suppose to do when you rattle in a buck and it just stands there then walks away without coming into range and I grunted and it didnt do anything so what do I do?
    Winke Responds:
    Daniel, Nothing. You pretty much did all you could. The only other option would be let him get a ways off and then snort wheeze, but I think once they start to leave they are very, very hard to call back. They have seen all they wanted to see (or didn't see all they wanted to see). They won't all come all the way in. If the cover is open, they often hang back and look for the other buck. If the cover is thick, they are more likely to come closer. Good luck. (11-14-11)
  • Given the gun hunting pressure in MN in early November, would you still stick with the same rut hunting dates that you think are the best or change them slightly?
    Jonathan from MN asks:
    I hunt in MN and the bow season always starts early (3rd sat.in sept.) and rifle season starts the peak of the rut first sat. in nov. Would you recommend bowhunting the same time frames as you do in Iowa or would you change your time frames some due to the heavy pressure of the rifle season? I have been focusing my first few hunts in Sept. on food sources and have had some success on big bucks. I than hunt hard in late Oct. until the rifle season hits. Which happaned to be the 5th of Nov. this year. Do you think I am using my time wisely or would you hunt hard on different dates? I can take vaction whenever with my job, just want to manage my time the best I can. (FYI deer movement here was much better in mid Oct. this year than the last 2 weeks for some reason but none the less some bucks have been moving) Thanks, Jonathan
    Winke Responds:
    Jonathan, I think you are using your time wisely. If you want to hunt the gun seasons with a bow, you should focus on security cover and look for some rutting activity back in the timber. You won't have the daylight movement to the food sources (unless the pressure is very low in your area) in the evenings so you need to hug the edges of the thick cover. You can still be successful that way. I would hunt every day up to the opening weekend og gun for sure, hunt opening weekend itself and any other days you can shortly thereafter. That should get you the best days every year. I also think that there is another good activity period from November 20 through 26 that is worth hunting too. The hunting pressure should be light by then and the bigger bucks may be displaying more daylight activity by that time. Good luck (11-14-11)
  • I found an area where the bucks stage; is it a good time to get more aggressive when hunting them since it is now the rut?
    clay from ND asks:
    first of all thanks for good honest bow hunting. now i have been bow hunting for a few years, and every year i think that i learn something new. this year i have been in the woods for over thirty days straight, first two weeks lots of day/evening time movement then bam, just like school on sundays no class. i know where they are bedding/staging before they come out to the alfalfa and i put a stand close, i was thinking too close for comfort but this time of year "rut" what do i have to lose. so my question is would you hunt moring/evening or both this is my first time getting aggressive and moving in on them so any helpfull hints would be great. thanks for your time
    Winke Responds:
    Clay, I would definitely hunt morning and evening. Just stay away from the feeding areas in the morning and look for funnels back farther from the field edges for your morning hunts. In the evenings, you can get closer to the feeding areas. You can afford to be more aggressive during the rut for sure. No question, but if you are hunting a local, resident buck, you may want to keep hunting a bit more carefully so you don't educate him. Good luck. (11-11-11)
  • Do you think mock scrapes will work if the buck to doe ratio favors more does?
    Matthew from OK asks:
    Hey Bill. Do you think mock scrapes will work if there is a couple more does than bucks?
    Winke Responds:
    Matthew, I think so. I think the mock scrapes will stop bucks that are passing through the area near your stand. I don't think bucks will make a big detour to come check out your scrape at this time of the year. But there is no reason that a mock scrape won't at least slow them down and maybe bring them a bit closer for the shot. I would not rely too heavily on them though. Good stand placement near a good funnel or on the edge of a good bedding area (mornings) is still most important. Good luck. (11-6-11)
  • Any tips of pulling a buck off the trail of a doe during this time of the year?
    AJ from NY asks:
    This past weekend I had my #1 hit list buck following a doe on the opposite side of my food plot. Not really rutting just showing extreme interest. After realizing she was just going on by and not turning my direction I grunted, snort wheezed and I also rattled a little bit. He stopped and looked my direction after each attempt but quickly turned back to her. Any other advice or tactics you have used to pull a buck away from his #1 interest this time of year?
    Winke Responds:
    AJ, Tough to pull a buck off a doe, even if she isn't in estrous. Often, after they get bored with the pursuit they will drift back past your stand to check out the calls - it can be hours later (literally) so always stay prepared when that happens. I have seen it happen several times. If you see him holed up with the doe once breeding starts, forget calling, climb down and sneak up on them - seriously. It works well. Good luck. (10-28-11)
  • I have a spot where four doe trails all come together; would this be a good spot for the rut?
    Josh from WI asks:
    I hunt a 60 acre block of timber. There is 40 acre clover field to the west, a 150 acre cornfield to the north and east, and a 40 acre corn/beanfield to my south. i know there are numerous does in the area, and there are well beaten trails like i've never seen going thru the property. i found a spot where 4 trails converge and another one crosses them. Would this be a good spot to set up during the rut?
    Winke Responds:
    Josh, The quick answer is yes. Bucks are hunting does during the rut so you need to hunt does too. If does are going past your stands, eventually bucks will go past too. Good luck. (10-26-11)
  • What is your best strategy for hunting the rut - do you call or just sit quietly?
    Luke Jensen from FL asks:
    hey bill, i wanted to start by saying your show is hands down better than anything ive watched on the outdoor channel! ive been keeping up with you since ive seen you shoot some good bucks on monster bucks. im glad you have your own show now, thanks for all the helpful strategies too. anyway, i hunt the rut in ohio for one week every year. this year i will begin hunting nov. 6th. my question is, what is your best tactic for killing a big buck during the rut? do you prefer rattling, grunting, etc? or do you prefer to just stay quiet and let things unfold? Ive had very good luck rattling and calling at the end of october during the pre-rut. ive noticed sometimes during the ohio rut, the bucks sometimes arent as interested in fighting, etc. I would love some advice from you on how you approach these situations. thank you, Luke Jensen
    Winke Responds:
    Luke, Thanks for the support. I will call some, but mostly I try to be in travel routes like funnels around fields, around ditches, open gates, creek crossings, etc. and then let the natural movement of the bucks at this time bring them past. A bit of calling is OK, but don't overdo it. I mostly use the calls for when I see a buck I want to shoot passing out of range, but they can also bring bucks in that you haven't seen - you just need to be very still for a long time after calling to keep from being picked off by a buck that snuck in. I don't like that part. Good luck in OH. (10-26-11)
  • I found a runb line between a bedding and feeding area; is it common to find them this early? Where should I set up along the rub line?
    Jerry from VA asks:
    Bill, I've found two rublines this week connecting my food plots to a bedding area on someone else's property. Should I go ahead and start hunting the rub line? Where should I hunt along the rubline? I have two big bucks I'm trying to get that have showed up on my cameras and am hoping they are the ones that made the rublines. Is it normal for them to make rublines this early and should they stick to traveling this line of movement?
    Winke Responds:
    Jerry, It is normal for them to make rublines this early. I would focus at about the middle point of the trail so you can can get to and from the stand without getting too close to either the bedding area or the feeding area. Good luck, sounds like a good set up you have.
  • Bucks are starting to tear up trees here in NE; would you hunt them now or wait until October?
    jeremie from ME asks:
    hey bill the bucks here in Nebraska are really starting to tare up the trees with rubs and they are starting to scrape too.. would you hunt the rub lines yet or wait till the middle of oct.??
    Winke Responds:
    Jeremie, I would definitely hunt them right now. Good luck.
  • Is a small pond better than a creek for hunting on hot days during the rut?
    sam from AL asks:
    How often do deer go to water. Last year in Illinois the second of November was hot (again) and it seemed the best place for an all day sit was near water and a bedding area. Or maybe it was just cooler down on the creek bottom. The only problem is that the creek is long leaving many places to get a drink. Maybe a pond is a better option. I would like to hear your experience.
    Winke Responds:
    Sam, The bucks will water a couple of times per day when it is hot during the rut. For sure, a small pond up on a ridge near (but not too near - maybe 100 yards away) to a bedding area. This will give a concentrated area for your hunt and the wind advantage that comes with hunting up on a ridge instead of in a valley where the wind swirls. Good luck.
  • Thinks the moon is what caused the strange rut.
    Jody from IA asks:
    Awesome website Bill! Excellent concept. Enjoyed your latest show where you took us through from beginning to end on late season archery hunt. Switching gears here, I agree this was one of the poorest years I have seen in terms of rutting activity. Almost seemed nonexistent. I really feel Alsheimer's theory of the second full moon after the equinox has a lot of substance to it. His predictions this year were almost spot on if you go back and read his rut predictions in Deer and Deer Hunting (September issue?} I have been following this theory for 10 years and it seems to be correct in terms of what the rut may look like. Anyway, that's my two cents. (C'mon Bill, turn to the dark side-the moon plays an important role-HA!} Excellent job to all the midwest whitetail team!
    Winke Responds:
    Jody, Thanks for your support. I will have to be more open-minded regarding the moon. My take was that something (the moon?) affected the physiology of the deer and the bucks just didn't seem to have their normal dose of testosterone. It was as if they weren't rutting. I only saw them when there was an obviously hot doe nearby. I hope next year will be more like a normal year. Have a great day.
  • What is the best strategy for the peak of breeding phase of the rut?
    Mike from OH asks:
    Hey Bill, I read your article 2010 Rut Calender, and your dates are right on track with SE Ohio. You mention techniques for early and late breading, but not alot about the peak breeding. I did end up shooting the best buck of my life on Nov 15th this year, a mature 160 class 10 point, as it trailed a hot doe by my stand. But, I had spent a very uneventful week on stand prior to this. My current technique is stay clean, hunt hard, and "put in my time". Seems like I rely on luck during this period, hoping a hot doe comes my way. Any other ideas for this phase??
    Winke Responds:
    Mike, First off, congrats on a great buck! Peak breeding can be a tough time in most areas because the bucks have a number of available does and aren't out cruising. For that reason, your strategy is about as good as any. The only other option might be to hunt in areas with lots of visibility and watch for a buck holed up with a doe and try a stalk. This can also work well too. It is a tough week of hunting in most areas where doe numbers dramatically outnumber buck numbers. Good luck and congrats on a great buck. Merry Christmas.
  • Do you think a lack of young bucks stirring up the does may have been the reason the rut seemed to be so weak this year?
    GEORGE from IA asks:
    I have heard alot of talk of lack of mature buck daylight movement, but one thing that really stuck out this year in my erea was a noticable lack of 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 bucks running everywhere in early Nov. Do you feel last winter's weather took a toll on young bucks, and without them stirring up all the does, could that have been one of the factors in mature bucks not being "forced" to move as much?
    Winke Responds:
    George, I don't know what it was for sure. It almost seems that something caused a subdued amount of testosterone to be built up in the bucks. It was as if there was no intensity to the rut. Strange. Last winter definitely took a toll, we found a few dead bucks (and does) and the neighbors found a bunch of dead deer. We have lived on and off in this neighborhood for 15 years and I have never seen anywhere near this few deer. So I am sure that had something to do with it, but I also think that there were other factors because people in areas with more deer also said the rut was noticeably slow. Good luck in the late season.
  • I hunted four states this fall and there was no rut to speak of; can you explain the events of this year's rut?
    dave from NY asks:
    Congrats on your decision to take M.W.com through the entire year. I have hunted four states this yr. and the opinion is the same everywhere...What Rut? My observation is that buck sightings are down 60 % , chasing sightings down 75 %. My questions is then why does my taxidermist say his deer work admitted is up 30 % along with rack size ? Moon lit nites and sunny days were the norm from Oct 15-Nov 15. Cloudy dank days just did not exist.Little to no rain in that period. Night activity had to be at an all time high. I believe quality trophy deer takes are up because more hunters have become very selective just over the past few years. Your thoughts ? I was fortunate to tagout on a beauty in zone 5 Iowa. Thanks for a great on line program Bill.
    Winke Responds:
    Dave, I have a purely unscientific theory. Pretty much all we saw were very young and very old bucks. It was as if the bucks never got the normal does of testosterone this year. Not sure if climatic/weather or lunar influences could cause that or not. I will have to ask people who might know, but my fear is that no one really knows. The fact that very old bucks seemed to be moving may be why the taxidermist is up on head count. Again, the 3 1/2, 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 year old age classes were notably missing from the rut. We saw some, but defintely not as many as normal. I don't know, I am just guessing! Seems like many people are saying the same thing - "I didn't see much, but I killed a big one." Very strange year.
  • What did your buck score? When is the second rut?
    dave from MN asks:
    Bill what a great buck. Cograts! I have had some great encounters this year myself just can't close the distance. 2 questions. What does your most recent buck score, I was chasing one similar, an 8 pt with a sticker about 25 inches wide. 2nd question when does the 2nd rut kick in and have u had much success during the 2nd rut. Thank you for your time, and again cogratulations on a great old bruiser buck.
    Winke Responds:
    Dave, He probably scores in the 130's. I never scored him. He is wide and good/decent mass, but short tines and that hurts scoring. Main thing about this deer is his age. He is very old making it a special trophy to me. You can't always count on seeing much second rut activity, but it will occur roughly now (December 6-15). About half of the doe fawns and a few unbred does will come back in, but there is almost no chasing. You may see some "rutting" activity, but likely you won't. At best, you will notice a bit more mature buck activity around the food sources favored by does. I would not plan to hunt the "rut" but rather focus on food and if a doe fawn brings a good buck in there, so much the better. Good luck.
  • My sons and I hunted Iowa during Nov. 1 - 10. This is normally peak rut activity but we saw little activity, any idea what caused the change?
    Steven from MI asks:
    MY 2 son's and I hunted in Iowa the week of November 1 through the 10th. This normally is the peak of the rut, but we saw very little rutting activity!! Any idea what may have changed the rut!!
    Winke Responds:
    Steven, No good ideas right now. That is what we are all trying to figure out. It was a very strange year. I think we will find that the rut occured on time, just without the standard amount of activity and very little during the daylight. Most people experienced the same thing.
  • Do you think the early crop harvest affected this year's rut?
    Brett from IA asks:
    Bill, Do you think the early harvest of crops affected the rut this year. My father has farmed for forty plus years. He put the combine in the shed on Oct. 22 and this is the earliest he has ever gotten his crops out. Do you think the lack of corn crop cover affected the rut. I have hunted 21 days this year most during pre and mid rut. I may have rattled one buck in during that time period. Only experienced a couple of "hot days". Haven't heard any discussion about the early harvest just wandered what you thought!
    Winke Responds:
    Brett, I don't think so, because some years we only have beans in the neighborhood around me (no cover) and yet we still have plenty of rut activity. I don't think it was anything that easy to put your finger on. I honestly don't think that was it, but your experience was common this year throughout the Midwest.
  • Do you think the warmer temperatures in early November caused more rut activity after dark?
    tom from PA asks:
    Bill more of an observation than a question, hunted northwestern Missouri the week of nov. 5-12 temps. in the 70s in the afternoon. Saw 2 exceptional bucks and a good number of up and comers, bucks seemed to work the horns and call fairly well,never saw much of a chase faze. Do you think the temps. forced most of the chase, breeding activity to the cooler evening, nite hrs. note! I agree 100% with your thinking as to peak rut dates all things considered. Thanks, keep up the good work and good hunting
    Winke Responds:
    Tom, I think that is a very common thing. They travel more during the cooler night hours (and early morning) when it is hot out. Thanks for your support and good luck.
  • Do you think the rut will come in soon? How can you tell?
    dylan from OH asks:
    do you think rut season will come in soon? and how can you tell?
    Winke Responds:
    Dylan, I would say you missed it. Typically, the best days are from November 3 through November 10 and will tail off after about November 26 to the point where it is better to focus on food rather and than travel routes that rutting bucks might use. Good luck.
  • Any ideas why the rut was so odd this year? Could it have occured in October?
    Wesley Kraemer from WI asks:
    Bill, I agree 100% with your feeling about this years rut and hunting the wind. Any more ideas on why this years rut has been so odd? I hunted everyday from Oct. 30 to Nov. 19. The last two days of Oct. were awesome, since then it's been very frustrating with very little to no bucks chasing, seeking, or tending/following does. See lots of does with their fawns and no bucks around to check them out. Seems like the rut happened the last 10 days of Oct., unfortunately I didin't start hunting til the 30th. I also love to hunt in the wind. My best day ever in the stand was November 13, 2005 when the wind constantly 25 to 30mph and many gusts to 45mph. I've seen so much more deer and buck movement when wind is at least 10-15 mph compared to lesser wind days. I've had many great days with 20-30 mph winds. I think a big reason deer move more is that they can smell better with more wind to blow scent of predators or other deer around. With little to no wind, they don't have a big an
    Winke Responds:
    Wesley, I started on Oct. 25 and it was not all that great then either. I am not sure exactly what happened. My guess is that the rut occured on schedule but for some reason the daylight activity levels of the bucks was very limited. I will try to figure it out and write a blog about it when I do (or at least get some good educated theories). Good luck with the remainder of the season.
  • Any ideas what I should be doing now? It has been a poor rut and I would like to get any suggestions I can on what to do next?
    kelly from MN asks:
    Could you tell me what u might do to hunt a big whitetail right now, ive tried just about everything, where i hunt we didnt see much chasing this year so i dont know if they were doing it at night or what but just wondering if ya had any ideas, ive hunted around the 2nd full moon after the autumn equinox and had luck, any ideas how u would go about setting up at that time, this deer is prob. a 4 or 5 year old, any ideas can help, Thanks, maybe i need to quit over thinking it to.
    Winke Responds:
    Kelly, It is time to find the best food sources and hunt close to them. The rut was not good most places this year, so don't feel alone in that regard. I am shifting to the food sources now and still seeing a small bit of rutting activity, but mostly the deer are heading their to eat. These are evening only hunts. I don't have any really good ideas for morning hunts at this time of the season. Good luck.
  • More comments about the weird rut; what are you doing different as a result of the strange conditions?
    Aaron from MO asks:
    I'm from northeast missouri and i was going to comment on this rut first of all. I saw quite a few bucks up cruising and had great luck rattling during the first 5-7 days of november-then it got warm. However, many of these bucks were 2 1/2 year old deer-and i did not see a single doe for ten strait days while hunting these farms. Since that warm week we had-i have seen nothing but doe groups in the same areas where i saw nothing but bucks at the end of october and start of november. The mature bucks are still showing up on the trail cameras so i know they are there. I was wondering if you have noticed any similarities where you are and what changes you have made to adjust to this weird rut? Thanks Bill, show looks great-you and your other producers are laying down some great stuff once again.
    Winke Responds:
    Aaron, Similar results here. We know there are some good bucks around, but they are only moving at night. We keep pressure pretty light so I don't think it is a hunting pressure thing. For some reason, they are not very active this year. The only time we see mature bucks is when they are chasing a doe - no cruising among these deer. I have not made any changes, but I think the best advice I have heard is to hunt all day with the hopes that they are moving at midday. I have not done much of that, but I do hunt until 11 and then get back out by 1:30 and that didn't seem to help too much. I probably should have hunted all day, but a man only has so much sanity and my runs a bit low after several all-day sits. Good luck.
  • Worst rut I have ever seen by far; any ideas?
    Tracey from IN asks:
    Bill I think it is the worst Rut i have ever seen for sure. My Buddy and i have hunted hard he goes with me and tapes all the hunts since the first week of November we have seen very little rut action here in North Central Indiana we have 30 different bucks on film but all of the are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years old all within 15yds of our stands we hunted opening day of Gun season and set 12 hours sraight from 6:20am till 6:00pm that night thinking all the pressuer would get some of the big deer moving we saw 30 doe and only 2 bucks 1 of them was pretty nice but iknow the deer and i think he is only 3 1/2 years old 20yds away and let him walk. I am going to hit it hard the next week of thanksgiving and see what happens Full moon now to deal with though.
    Winke Responds:
    Tracey, You are singing a familiar song. I'll try to get to the bottom of this at some point. Very strange year. Good luck.
  • Here in Ontario we had the same slow rut; have got any ideas what caused it this year?
    Chris from ON asks:
    Hey Bill great work with the show, just wondering your thoughts about this years weird rut. Here in Ontario the same as what your reports are for the midwest. Happening one day but not the next. Think it has anything to do with the predicted moon for this year? Everything seems right cool temps etc.. but just seems really slow. I drive along way to work some days and still haven't seen to much activity, in a normal year I would see deer everyday. I normally don't pay too much attention to the moon but this year has me thinkin!
    Winke Responds:
    Chris, It is the million dollar question. I'll talk to as many experts as I can to try to figure it out and then will write a blog about it at some point. I have lots of theories, but that is all they are. I will try to find out if there are any real hard scientific facts out there. Good luck.
  • Is it worth entering a hunting area mid-morning for a rut hunt?
    Jeremy from MI asks:
    Hey Bill. Gotta tell ya: This is the best website on the net. I really take your articles to heart. Anyhow, my question is about going into a set mid-mourning. Say I am hearing reports of increased rut activity, but have to get the daughter on the bus. Would you go into a spot at say 8:30-9:00 and hunt until she gets home? One more thing: It is funny how your rut update correlates with me in Michigan. I take off Oct 25th to our gun season(Nov 15) every year. I did not see any rut activity until Nov 9th and I hunted everyday since the 25th. It was hot for two days(9th,10th) then kinda simmered down again. Weird. Thanks Jeremy
    Winke Responds:
    Jeremy, Thanks for your support. Definitely, midday can be very good. I would hunt anytime I can. It was a very strange rut this year. Many people are saying it was the worst in a long time - me included. Hopefully things change as the deer get back on food patterns.
  • Northern IL, when is the pre-rut and should I begin rattling? What scents to use?
    Fred from IL asks:
    Winke, I live, and hunt northern Il. Could you shed some light as to when pre rut will take place. Should I begin ratteling, and which scents should I be using now?
    Winke Responds:
    Fred, I got flooded with a lot of questions this year, so I am not sure this is still of use to you, but here goes: Pre rut, the time when I think you can start to hunt rut patterns, is about October 25 most years. That is typically when I start hunting hard. Rattling will work right away if the deer are in the right mood. It won't work all the time at any point in the season so don't overuse it. Scents: I am not a big scent expert, but some kind of estrous scent would make sense. I think mock scapes serve a good purpose and under the right conditions, scent drags or scent trails also make sense. Good luck.
  • What are the best rut dates for NY and CT this year?
    Jim from CT asks:
    Hey Winke, I hunt in NY and CT and I can't get a straight answer regarding this years rut.I have heard everything from normal to late, as well as something called a trickle rut, that starts early then slows down and then heats up again around the end of Nov. Looks like I will just have to take the whole month off work and sleep in the woods! Whats the final word?
    Winke Responds:
    Jim, Who has the credibility to make those kinds of predictions? Here in the northern half of the US, the phisiological changes that bring on the rut are related to the length of daylight. That is not affected by anything but the dates on the calendar - every year. You sometimes see early breeding and early chasing because of coincidence or cooler temperatures or whatever, but it happens at basically the same time each year. So, for the best hunting, I always predict the week from November 3 - 10.
  • Books are saying the rut will be late this year? What do you think is the best time for my vacation?
    Marvin from MO asks:
    Rut Prediction.I hunt in north central Mo.I try & take vacation the 2nd week of November.Full moon is late in nov. this year.Books are saying late nov. for the rut.Any ideas.Love the show. Thanks
    Winke Responds:
    Marvin, I am not prone to agree with those books. I have never seen the best activity dates change much from year to year. The only factors that have a big bearing on your success during the rut are temperature and other hunting pressure. I personally believe Nov. 3 through Nov. 10 is the best timeframe and I would not hunt my best stands until then. Good luck.
  • Do you think the pre-rut is better than the middle of the rut for shooting a big buck?
    Lonnie from IA asks:
    Bill, Great website! My question is what gives you a better chance to kill a monster whitetail..being out there during the pre rut when bucks are cruising for does or smack dab during the rut when they may be locked down with a hot doe?And do you like morning hunts better or afternoon/evening hunts? I have my vacation set for the last weekend of October and into the first week of November. Thanks!
    Winke Responds:
    Lonnie, No question about it, the early rut phases are better than the middle of the rut for seeing buck movement. Peak breeding occurs around November 15 in much of the Midwest, yet I believe the very best date is November 7, a full week before the peak. The peak itself can sometimes be slow because the bucks are all with does. I would say your vacation time looks pretty good, assuming we get nice cool temperatures. Good luck.
  • How do I go about hunting 17,000 acres of public land that is all oaks and dropping acorns?
    Steve from KY asks:
    Hey Bill, thank you so much for midwest whitetail. I am a whitetail fanatic and enjoy watching your videos and reading your articles about hunting giant bucks. My question is here in southeastern kentucky i have access to 17,000 acres of public hunting game reserve which is also bowhunting only except for two days a year. My problem is that it is national forest land and there are ALOT of oak trees, everywhere you look there is an oak tree. How do you get on deer when there is so many acorns? There are so many chestnut oak acorns this year it is like walking on marbles in the woods. I have scouted the white oaks but just can't get any confidence in any spots. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated?
    Winke Responds:
    Steve, I think the honest answer is that you don't get on them - at least not very well until the rut. I think you simply put in your time getting a feel for the area and focus your serious hunting on the rut - anything after about Oct 25. Then I would be focusing on travel routes and especially funnels that bucks are likely to move through when cruising for does. When the entire area is both bedding and feeding there is no reason for deer to move prior to the rut. You may get lucky and set up in the right place, but it is going to be tough for a few more weeks.
  • Is it too early for a mock scrape?
    Tom from IL asks:
    How early is too early to set a mock scrape in northern Illinois?
    Winke Responds:
    Tom, I would say that it is a bit too early. I am seeing scrapes now but very few of them are being refreshed often. I would probably start it around Oct. 10 and then start hunting it about Oct. 20, or so. That should give them time to adjust to it and catch the bucks at a time when they are starting to increase their daylight activity levels.
  • Do you use mock scrapes? How would you go about doing it?
    Tim from MN asks:
    hey bill i have been gathering some info on mock scrapes and wanted to know your opinion. do you ever use this method? and if so how do you go about setting them up? do you prefer a certian scent? and when should i start thinking about making some? also i had a small 6 point on one of my trail cameras that had already shed his velvet! anything like that going on in your area? i cant wait for the first show! good luck to all the staff! i hope to see some bucks down this year!
    Winke Responds:
    Tim, I have not messed with mock scrapes, but they do make sense. At the very least they should stop a buck that is walking for an easier shot. I don't think you will find that the mock scrape suddenly attracts all the bucks in the area. They aren't that keyed to scrapes that they change their daily behavior just to check them. There is much to write about scrapes, but I am not going to get into it here - too much for this forum. If I were going to do it, I would probably use a Scrape Dripper from Wildlife Research Center and their Mock Scrape scent. I would start the scrape in mid-September and run it until about November 3. After that, things turn pretty chaotic and bucks aren't really on normal patterns any more. I have not seen any bucks with their velvet shed yet. I would expect them to start shedding very soon though. Good luck.
  • Why do you think our best week for rut activity is the 3rd week of November here in Alberta?
    cameron from AB asks:
    Hi Bill,I love your show and your magazine articals I have been following your articals in petersons bowhunting since the mid 90's! I owe everthing I know about bowhunting deer to you and your articals, thanks! I have a question about rut timing. I know you say that the best time to hunt the rut is from nov3 to about nov12 give or take a few days but I find that the absolute best time to hunt is the 3rd and 4th week of november in alberta. I was wondering why you think this is? Im not the only one here who thinks this too, everyone I know says they see the most bucks on the move in the 3rd week of nov.
    Winke Responds:
    Cameron, It could be the buck to doe ratios are different. I had a friend that used to say that about Kansas but when I pinned him down and asked him to keep close record he finally agreed that he was seeing more good bucks in early November. We sometimes see some really good bucks around Nov 20 - 26. I call it the second peak for activity, but it is not as active as Nov 3 - 10. It has to do with the availability of does. The bucks move best when only a few does are in estrous - such as right before the peak of breeding (Nov 3 - 10) and right after the peak of breeding (Nov 20 -26). I stop hunting morning after November 26 because it seems that things are pretty much dead as far as rut activity here.
  • How often do you move during the rut?
    Chris from OK asks:
    Hi Bill, In early November when travel routes are the place to be, how often do you change locations. Pick what you think is the best one and camp on it until conditions change? Sometimes it seems like a crap shoot and by moving to much your going to be either ahead or behind a step or two? Great job on this past years shows and keep on keeping on! Chris
    Winke Responds:
    Chris, It is a good question. It really has to do with the location itself. If it is a spot that you can hunt easily without alerting deer, you can hunt it more often. I tend to move around a fair bit to fresh spots. If I am hunting just one buck, that is a lot harder so it is a good idea to have several bucks you are targetting so you can bounce back and forth between them. That keeps your stands fresh. However, I do have a few stands that set up really well and I will hunt them more often simply because it is very hard for the deer to figure out that I am in and out of there. So to answer your question, it relies on your experience and your gut feel as to whether you are getting in and out clean.
  • Where I hunt in northern Kansas, the best days of the rut seem to be in late October; why is that?
    Dave from KS asks:
    Bill, Thanks for all the work you put into the show. Next to my own hunting adventures watching your show is the next best thing! I know you stress that the first couple weeks of November are the best times to be in a treestand and I agree for the most part, but curious if you can make sense of this for me: My father and I bowhunt in North Central Kansas (about 40 miles North of your friend Rodney Ponton--love the articles you wrote on his strategies back in the day!) We typically hunt small cover, mainly the draws and creek bottom country on the fringes of the Republican River Valley. Consistently we see and shoot our best bucks the last week in October. This year I shot a 6 1/2 year old 8 pointer on Oct. 26th. He was in full rut chasing a doe. October 28th seems to us what November 7th is to you. I hunt in NW & SW Missouri too, and don't see this type of action there as early. Not sure why this is. Any ideas? Thanks, -Dave-
    Winke Responds:
    Dave, Thanks for your support. I know that area, of course. And by the way, Rod is one of the finest people that God put on this earth. One of the best things about hunting is the opportunity to share adventures with great people like Rod. We have some good hunting in late October too. It is so weather dependent. When we have a cool front in late October it can be dynamite. Part of the "best days" theory is actually a self-fulfilling prophecy. We tend to hunt our best stands on what we consider to be the best days so we automatically skew the results toward those dates. Another thought might be the cover type versus the seasonal behavior. For example, the bucks are still fairly close to home in late Oct but moving a bit more. In that open country, having your bucks sticking close is not a regular thing (they can and do move miles in that country during the rut). So maybe you are just benefiting from their first big movement push at a time before they head out. As Rod will attest (he has come out here to hunt a few times) we have much larger blocks of timber. I don't think our bucks move as far (they don't leave their home ranges for long trips) like the ones you hunt so we are actually hunting resident bucks for much more of the rut. I used to always hunt Kansas after I finished up in Iowa so I was generally there in the middle of the month or after, so I don't have good first-hand experience. Keep me posted.
  • Would high ground in a swamp make a good travel route during the rut?
    scott from CT asks:
    Hi Bill, Scott from ct again. I’ve been scouting a lot this post-season and came across a great spot at the south end of a 20 acre swamp. The swamp really narrows down here and is bordered by two oak ridges to east and west. In the middle of this spot is a really thick rise about 100’* 75’ and was loaded with sign... Looks like the deer have been hiding in there from gun hunters during the shotgun season, who were hunting on the east side. I also found some really nice rubs in there as well. My thought was bucks would use this narrow travel corridor during the rut to travel from one hill side to the next looking for does. What do you think? Do you think this spot should only be hunted during the rut? Thanks! Scott
    Winke Responds:
    Scott, I agree with your thoughts on that. It sounds like a good travel funnel. I would not hunt it earlier in the season for fear of burning it out. Try to keep your best stands until the rut. That is what I would do here. Now if you can find a good way to access the high ground so none of the deer can see you, hear you or smell you - you have the ultimate spot. Maybe come in through swamp somehow? Good luck, sounds like a great spot.
  • During what phases of the rut is the grunt call most effective?
    Kevin from MN asks:
    As you've been mentioning on your show, the rut appears to be really winding down now and especially here in Northern Minnesota ... although I saw a spike still chasing a doe last Saturday. My question is: At approximately what point in time does the grunt call lose it's effectiveness on bucks? Early in the rut you'll hear the bucks grunting as they move around, but sometime around mid-November I stopped hearing them. Also comment on the can call--it seems the does are more interested right now than bucks.
    Winke Responds:
    Kevin, I have not used the can much so I can only guess at its effectiveness. However, I grunt a lot and I find that bucks may come to a grunt at any time of the season, but are especially intersted in it during the times when they are seeking does. I have called bucks in with the grunt during all phases of the rut, includign the days after most of the breeding is done. However, again, it is most effective at the times when bucks are still actively looking for does. Once they start ignoring does and go back to feeding patterns, it is not nearly as effective.
  • Does the temperature affect rut timing? I thought is was the length of daylight.
    jim from WI asks:
    they say the rut slowed down because of the warm weather we had, i thought temperature did not effect the rut, it is the shorter days that get them in the peak rut, am i wrong?
    Winke Responds:
    Jim, You are right about the rut being triggered by daylight. The temperature won't trigger or prolong the rut (much), but it will dictate how much of the activity occurs during the daylight. So the does will breed at roughly the same time each year, but some years the rut will be strong and others it will appear week because of the amount of daylight activity you are seeing and that is dependent on temperature.
  • Do you think the rut is over?
    Preston from NY asks:
    Do you think the Rut is over yet? Or do you think you may still have some Does in heat?
    Winke Responds:
    Preston, I am writing this on Dec. 1 and I definitely think it is over now. I am sure there will be a small second rut, but you probably won't see that all that much as it is pretty subdued. Good luck.
  • How do you set up for the second rut?
    Brian from MO asks:
    I see on lots of comments you say the rut is over. Do you beleive there are good opportunities in the second rut? what is your stradegy for hunting the second rut?
    Winke Responds:
    Brian, I never see much of the second rut though I know it exists. The bucks don't cruise during the second rut. They simply follow the does (fawns) around and take care of business without a lot of fanfare. So with that in mind, just hunt where you see the most does and you will find any bucks that are dogging them. (Feeding areas in the evening is my favorite. I don't hunt mornings past about this time). Forget about your reliable rut hunting stands where you found the bucks cruising through.
  • Are the bucks still chasing does here in MN?
    Pao from MN asks:
    Bill, are the bucks still chasing does, here, in MN?
    Winke Responds:
    Pao, I am writing this on November 26, Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving. I would say it is about over. You might see the odd chase, but it is pretty much all about food now and will be for the rest of the season. Good luck.
  • Do you think the rut is played out by November 23?
    Jake from MO asks:
    Today is November 23 and i was asking to see if you think the rut is starting to come to an end.
    Winke Responds:
    Jake, I feel that the rut still runs decent through about November 26. After that, I generally feel it is about played out for the year here in the Midwest and I start to focus on food. Good luck.
  • I didn't see any mature bucks or does during my recent trip to northern Missouri; was it lock - down?
    Chris from OK asks:
    Hi Bill! On my trip to Northern Missouri over the 14-15-16 I saw several bucks with the best one being a nice 3 yr old, nothing mature.All of the does seen were obviously 6 mo. old, again nothing mature.With no older does or bucks is this a classic case of "lockdown"?I watched several little bucks nose the fawns around a bit and then move on.When do immature does cycle into heat for the first time?
    Winke Responds:
    Chris, Sounds like classic lock-down and that is the timeframe when it occurs. We should just be starting to come out of it now. Doe fawns in the Midwest normally cycle in one month after adult does. So they will likely breed in early December (some of them - roughly 50 to 60% will breed their first year).
  • Since the rut was so unproductive for us as hunters, was it equally unproductive for the deer?
    Brian from MO asks:
    Bill since the rut this year was so unproductive for hunters was it also unproductive for deer? I spent two weeks on stand all day and I think I have a pretty good grasp on what happened, or rather didn't happen. Do you think the rut could simply take place later because of weather? Do you think the second rut could be more intense than in past years? What is your stradegy on hunting the remainder of Nov and Dec? Thanks for all the info.
    Winke Responds:
    Brian, It was not unproductive for the deer. Testing done your own deer biolgist Lonnie Hanson suggests that the peak of breeding occurs around Nov. 16 every year regardless of moon, temperature, etc. There may be a slightly stronger second rut this year as a result of the warm temps, but a surprising number of does get bred at night. The bucks just become less ambitious and move less. That doesn't mean the does go unbred in large numbers.
  • Have you considered setting up a Twitter account?
    Curt from OH asks:
    I know I just asked you a question but if you're interested in hearing a suggestion I have one for you. While browsing your sight I thought man it would be cool if there were some sort of a twitter sort of idea with the show particularly from mid Oct through Nov where a guy could get live text updates from hunters across their state or nation of little one line thoughts on rut activity, what they're seeing / not seeing, weather, etc. this november so far it seemed the days I planned to go hunting were the days I should have stayed at work and the days that I was at work I should have been in the woods. The days I din't hunt it seemed like all my buddies were seeing a lot of buck movement. This way info could be atained on the stand or (at work as long as the boss isn't looking:-) If I'd ever get fired I'd like to have it happen right before the rut! ha Sorry I abandoned the main trail there.
    Winke Responds:
    Curt, We did set up an account on Twitter. I have not asked the pro staff to start using it yet. We will probably try to do something like that next year. The name is MWProStaff. Keep that in mind. You might find a few "Tweets" this year, but more next. Thanks for the suggestions.
  • Why do I see lots of chasing and crazy activity one day or one year and not the next?
    James from ME asks:
    First off Bill I just want to say thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. Your responses are very educational and helpful. I am curious to hear you two-cents on the rut activity I have experienced last year and this year at my farm. I usually hit it hard for 5-6 days every year right around the Nov 3-12. The first four years that I hunted it seemed like I would have anywhere from 1-3 days of slower activity where I would see a few does and a handful of bucks at looking. No chasing or following from the bucks they would be just looking. Then it is like a switch goes on and all of a sudden I would have two days of seeing 4-5 does and 10-11 different bucks chasing and following and going nuts. Now this year and last year I have hit it the same 5-6 days roughly but have seen hardly any does and nothing but cruising bucks. I have seen no chasing or nothing like that at all. Its as if the does have vanished but the bucks are really cruising hard. Why have things changed?
    Winke Responds:
    James, Possibly two things. First, the deer numbers may be less - fewer does. The other may simply be wrong place at the wrong time. In other words, if you are on the same ridge with a hot doe, you will think the world is full of bucks. We had this happen Thursday morning. We had three hot does on the same small ridge with us. I shot two of them and the bucks came by all morning to check out those dead does. The third one bedded with a big buck down the ridge. We saw four mature bucks and several younger bucks. We went back this morning and it was totally dead. You may have a hot doe nearby but the guy two ridges over without a hot doe nearby thinks the earth has swallowed all the bucks. I would not try to read too much into rut sightings. This is a time of chaos, not order. So it is hard to draw too many conclusions about your herd at this dynamic time. Better to do that at other times of the year.
  • I have some ideas about why the bucks aren't moving in Southern MO; do you agree with them?
    Ben from MO asks:
    Bill, I wrote you a few weeks ago about not having any acorns in southern MO, and how it affects the rut. In the last 2 weeks we logged over 100 hours of tree stand time between the 4 of us who hunt and video together, and we saw exactly 0 shooter bucks(3&1/2+)! Talk about frustrating! We have several trail cam pics, bucks fighting, bucks chasing, but all at night. We thinks there were 3 things working agianst us, 1st the weather was too warm: shutting down a lot of daytime movement. 2nd the moon was mostly full, and up most of the night: encouraging more night time movement. Finally, as Mike Earp said on one of the early season MO shows, there's a lot more timber down here than fields. So, with no acorn crop to speek of the doe groups are concentrated on the fields, and not moving until dark. This means the bucks don't have to roam very much to find the doe groups. Which means almost no daytime movement. My question is, do you agree with our hypothasis, and what can we do differe
    Winke Responds:
    Ben, Not being an expert on the big woods hunting, I will only concentrate on one apect and that is the weather. We have seen almost no cruising here either during what should have been the best days of the rut. The hot weather killed it here. There is no reason why it would not have killed it there too. When it gets colder, the best days will be behind us and the rut will be winding down. In your case, the guns will be booming. I know it has been a very frustrating rut throughout the Midwest this year entirely due to the weather. Your other ideas sure sound plausible. I hope you find something to keep your fire lit. It can get pretty frustrating when another year passes with such a weak rut.
  • What can I do to be successful when it is this hot?
    Adam from KS asks:
    The weather in KS is extreemly hot for this time of year. On Nov 6-8 it has been around 70 degrees each day. I really like the beginning of November 3-7 for bowhunting the rut, but with it so hot I haven't seen mature bucks want to chase during the day. Both my morning and evening hunts haven't been giving me any looks. What would be a good strategy for hunting this type of weather situation? Would maybe the middle of the rut (around the 15-20) be more productive for all day hunts? Appreciated, Adam
    Winke Responds:
    Adam, All you can do is get out there and hunt as much as possible when the weather finally turns cooler. They simply don't move much under warm conditions, but once it cools off they will move some. Granted, it will not be as good as it would have been if it had been cold earlier in November, but we take what we can get in this game. The weather is always the biggest X-Factor. I get sick when it is hot in November.
  • Is there actually a lock-down that occurs during the middle of the rut?
    Bob from PA asks:
    Bill: Is the concept of "lock-down" as it applies to mature bucks being occupied 24/7 with estrous does, instead of being on their feet traveling and looking for does to breed, real?? If so, what dates do you typically see this in your area of IA? Thanks for your thoughts.
    Winke Responds:
    Bob, It depends a lot on buck to doe ratios. I have seen it for sure in areas with lots of does. In areas with a more balanced herd, it doesn't happen. On farms where it does happen, it occurs from roughly Nov. 11/12 through roughly Nov. 16/17 in most of the Midwest. Hope that helps.
  • Will the higher temps put the bucks into another lull?
    Joe from WI asks:
    So with temps going into the high fifties, will the buck movement go into another lull? Thanks and Good Luck this season. Tell Brock I say hi.
    Winke Responds:
    Joe, Will do. I would say the movement will be suppressed for sure. We are still seeing some activity early in the morning and then dead for most of the rest of the day. Good luck.
  • Where do you think the rut is right now?
    Steve from IL asks:
    Hi Bill, I was wondering where the think the rut is now and where it will be next week (I'm on vacation) nov 7-15. Typically it should be great but it seems like things took off a little early with the cooler weather. Next week it looks like they are calling for some warmer weather moving in....that can't be good. I am in central Illinois. Good Luck!!
    Winke Responds:
    Steve, The warm weather is killing us. I am sitting here on the morning of Nov. 7, my favorite day of the year, answering questions on my computer while Chad is working on Monday's show in the next room. That has to tell you something. I would say as soon as this warm weather breaks, it will be much better. I am sure that I could have had a chance at success this morning, but it was 54 degrees when I got up and I decided to get the work cleared before things improve. It is very tough timing on the weather as I am sure a lot of people took time off right now to hunt. Good luck to you too.
  • Why do you think the movement shut down Saturday afternoon and Sunday?
    Taylor from IA asks:
    The deer seemed to be moving pretty good on Saturday morning, Oct. 31, but my evening hunt and the following day's morning and evening hunts i did'nt see a single deer. Do you think the full moon effected the deer movement? Also, how late are you sitting in the mornings and how early are you going out in the evenings now that the rut is picking up?
    Winke Responds:
    Taylor, It has been my experience that deer activity never stays at a peak for more than a day or two at a time. It seems that if they moved really good yesterday, they probably won't move nearly as well today. I don't think the moon was the factor. I think when the weather broke cold and windy that started them up for a couple of days. We need another hit of cold to refire them. I usually try to sit until 11:00 in the AM but I have been very busy this year getting all these shows organized each day so I have had to come in early. I usually try to be on stand as close to 2:00 PM as possible. Ideally, I would sit til 11 in the AM and then back on stand at 1 PM but I don't have the time. Good luck.
  • It is November 2; where would you be sitting?
    Jake Angle from MO asks:
    Today is November 2 and i was wondering where would you be sitting right now if you had to choose. I have been sitting in this thick draw i have right now and i havent been seeing much and i was wondering where you think i should be sitting.I have a food plot and i havent tried it yet but i would think the rut is starting and last year i saw alot of deer in this draw so i was wondering where you would sit?
    Winke Responds:
    Jake, I would be sitting near the food in the evenings and near the thick draw in the mornings. That way you are hunting in the places the deer are moving towards. It is always easier to hunt them when you get ahead of them. If you try to hunt them where they are, it is very hard to get in without alarming them. Good luck.
  • Will 16 inches of snow in Colorado affect the intensity of the rut?
    Chad Atwood from CA asks:
    Bill- I have a quick question regarding weather and the rut. I know that the rut in Iowa can be tootally different than in Colorado but lets just assume! We just got 16 inches of snow today where I hunt here in Colorado. My area is a river bottom surrounded by good crop. What do you think this 17 inches of snow could do to the rut? Do you think it could slow things down? We should see the snow stop tomorrow, and Saturday should be 62, yeah thats Colorado for you! If you dont like the weather, just wait five minutes! Any tips on this one? Does the snow speed things up or slow things down? Love the show! Ready for a Colorado Show!!
    Winke Responds:
    Chad, I would not think it will slow the rut. I would expect it will push the deer on any standing crops available so I would look for travel routes between the river bottom cover and the standing crops. The does will be using these and the bucks will be following. Otherwise, I would hunt the same way you do any other season during this same time frame. Good luck.
  • Should I hunt the areas where I see does or the places where I see buck sign?
    Moe from MN asks:
    I've been seeing alot of doe activity on one side of the field that i hunt on but no bucks, but on the opposite corner of this there are alot of rubs and scrapes, but still i haven't seen any bucks come out yet either. Now that we are entering the pre-rut/ rut, which side would you suggest me hunt? the side where the does come out? or the area with the scrapes and rubs? thanks again! moe
    Winke Responds:
    Moe, That's an easy one: hunt the does when the rut starts, that is what the bucks are doing. Hunt the places the does concentrate and you'll find the bucks. Good luck.
  • I am heading out to Kansas in early November; what strategies should I use.
    Sean from FL asks:
    Heading to North East Kansas next month Nov 8 thru Nov 14 What strategy do you recommend? Your articles are great. Thanks
    Winke Responds:
    Sean, It is pretty much the same there as everywhere else in the Midwest. Focus on feeding areas in the evenings (catching bucks as they come to these areas looking for does) and look for doe bedding areas in the mornings or stands between two doe bedding areas. Depending on where you are going, if there is a lot of CRP, be prepared for the fact that many of the bucks come out of CRP at night, down to the cover and then back up to the CRP again in the mornings. So you may need to look for some big tracks leaving the creek bottoms to figure out where they are going. It can be tough because those old bucks are not always living right in the creek bottoms. If you find that is happening, you will have to shift your strategy to cover those travel routes. Keep an open mind.
  • During the late season, what time of day should I move toward stands near food? What about the second rut?
    Al from MN asks:
    Bill, Another question for you. During the 2nd gun season in NE Iowa, if I hunt all day and hunt heavy cover in the morning, what time of day would you move towards the food sources? Also, will the secondary rut be over by Dec 18th (would it be a waste to use any estrous doe scents)? Enjoy the website.
    Winke Responds:
    Al, The secondary rut is not really worth considering compared to the feeding pattern strategies that make much more sense. That second rut happens almost without any signs, yet those doe fawns and late does do get bred so it does happen. It seems to take place without the cruising and chasing. It is more a matter of coincidence, I think. The buck is feeding in the same areas as the family groups that have doe fawns coming into estrous. Rarely will you see any obvious rut activity. Besides, it would probably be about over by then anyway. It is never a mistake to try things so the scent might well be worth a try. If you see deer reacting negatively to it, you can always stop using it. On all day sits, I would move the feeding areas about three hours before the end of legal shooting time. I am not a big fan of all day sits that time of year, but if you have nothing else you need to do, you may see a buck get up and mill around a bit midday near his bedding area.
  • I am hunting my best farm; would it better to hunt the field edge of deeper in the cover?
    Curtis from OH asks:
    Bill, Im supposed to go on a hunt on one of my best farms this Sunday. Theres alot of bucks on this farm and thats what I'm going for! My question is would it be better to hunt in the middle of the woods, or along a standing bean feild where we have seen some Giant bucks in years past? I dont get to hunt there much, so when I do I want to make the best of it. I know you are probably better at deciding this than me. Thanks!
    Winke Responds:
    Curtis, I would hunt near the food in the evenings and then back a bit more into the timber in the mornings. I would not get anywhere near the feeding areas in the morning for fear of bumping into deer. Instead, try to sneak in the back door and be waiting for them back in the timber after they get done feeding and messing around in the open fields. If you are going to be able to hunt there more often this year (like in the next few days) I would not hunt too aggressively. Save your best stands for the best days (around November 7). Good luck.
  • Should I hunt ridges or funnels during the rut?
    Brandon from KS asks:
    Bill, Thanks for starting this web site and sharing your knowledge. I just punched out my doe tag which was part of my strategy this season. Punch the doe tag out within the first part of october or wait till after the rut. Then wait till the last week of october to start hunting the Big Guys through the rut. Which I think for north eastern Ks (correct me if you feel diferently) the middle of the second week in November. I was set up just east of a creek (N/S) and a fence row(W/E) crossing with hay fields on the south of the fence row both sides of the creek, and standing corn on the NW of the creek crossing and beans on the NE of the crossing. The fence row leads to a funnel of timber that heads to the SE in to bedding areas and a Ridge top that runs N-S. All strategy That I have learned From Midwest Whitetail. Should I be in the funnels that lead to the timber and the ridge or on the ridge in the timber for the best part of the rut. Thanks Bill, and pro staffers Keep it up.
    Winke Responds:
    Brandon, Congrats. The peak of breeding there is roughly Nov. 12 - 17. Those aren't the best days to hunt, however. I would be there before that because the bucks tend to go underground during the peak of breeding. Personally, I favor the ridges close to bedding in the mornings and would hunt the funnels close to food in the afternoons. That is a pretty solid strategy. Good luck.
  • What is the best week for my vacation when hunting Ohio?
    JERRY from OH asks:
    I have a weeks vacation set aside for hunting the rut in Ohio this year. I am torn between taking the first or second week of November. Any thoughts as to which might be the better choice? (and if so... why) I love your show by the way. Keep up the good work!!
    Winke Responds:
    Jerry, I have always felt that November 6-8 are the best days. My friend Jim Hill who hunts nearly every day of the season and has for probably the last 20 years thinks it is Nov. 10. Our experiences in IA, MN, IL, etc. should also hold true in OH. I guess I would let that guide my selection. Good luck either way.
  • Is the rut ahead of schedule this year?
    Tim from IL asks:
    Great site keep it up.. Last night I saw a 130" 8 point buck breed a doe...This is october 14th what is going on? I have had no response on calling or rattling.. I also have found the deer are in the brown beans right at dark .. Standing corn is right across the ditch ...What in nature has changed ? I also has seen several smaller bucks with broken tines last weekend ... does this seem a lot early this year ? Thanks Tim
    Winke Responds:
    Tim, I don't think we are ahead of schedule. I think the cooler conditions simply have the bucks moving more. I believe the rut will fall right at the same time this year as any other year. Also, every year in the Midwest, a small percentage of the does breed the middle of October (a month ahead of the primary rut). Not many, but a few. I used to always scout after this mini-rut as I felt the sign I found was a prelude to what I would see in greater quanitity in early November. I don't hunt sign anymore so I have stopped doing that. But there definitely is a very light October rut.
  • Would a creek crossing between food and bedding be good during the rut?
    Troy from MO asks:
    I have got pictures of 2 real nice bucks on a creek levy right by a crossing. The timber on the levy ends for about a quarter mile just south of the crossing. In out crop land there is cut beans and corn. On the side of the creek where the deer are crossing to(which we don't own) is a 200+ acre timber. I have a stand by the crossing but since early season have not had many pictures of good bucks and not been able to hunt because I have 2 herniated discs. However I will be able to hunt during the rut. Thank God. Do you think this creek crossing will be a good spot to be during the rut? Thanks for your time.
    Winke Responds:
    Troy, Yes, at least at first. The does will keep going to food for the first part of the rut and the bucks will keep looking for them there. However, as the rut wears on, the doe will get tired of being harassed all the time and will stop coming out in the open. Then it will be tougher to get a buck to come through there because the does won't be as numerous. I would try to hit it hard in late Oct. and early Nov. and you should do well.
  • Should I change my strategy during the rut because the corn is going to standing longer than usual?
    James from ME asks:
    Where is the best place to focus on if there is still a lot of corn in the fields during the rut? In talking with some local farmers it may be a while before they can start harvesting corn. Can standing corn effect the rut? Are you better off sticking to the bedding areas as oppose to travel corridors? Thanks
    Winke Responds:
    James, I wouldn't let it affect my strategy. I would still hunt near bedding areas in the morning and near feeding areas in the evening. I like standing corn in some cases because you can walk through it and stay hidden from the deer you are hunting. Also, they move more freely along the field edges when there is standing corn because they feel secure.
  • Do you think the cool weather will affect rut timing?
    Tracy from IA asks:
    Hello, Bill. I had asked you for any tips regarding use of a back tension release for hunting, and I thought I would let you(and anyone else who wants to use one for hunting)that it works great! I think that it works better than a regular index-finger realease for probably 90% of hunting situations; basically any situation that doesn't call for fast shooting. The first shot I've tried with it was a doe(missed, but that was not its fault--I misjudged the range by 10 yards, DUMB.)and it worked perfectly. My question is, do you think that the rut will be early this year because of the exceptionly cool weather in the forcast? Thanks, Tracy
    Winke Responds:
    Tracy, Thanks for the feedback. The rut is really based on length of daylight (photoperiod) and not the temperature. The temperature only affects how much daylight activity we see, not the actual dates of breeding. I hope it stays cool, but either way, you can pretty much count on the rut taking place at the same time every year.
  • Way more Does than Bucks
    John from CT asks:
    I'll try to keep this brief. I have accsess to some prime CT farm land to hunt. Probably upwards of 25-30 deer per mile but plenty of feed to produce 140-150 class bucks at 4 1/2 yrs. QMy problem is that the bedding areas are unhuntable. visible Rut activity and sign is limited to the young bucks. I know the older bucks are there because I see their tracks and regularly pick up their sheds(this yr a matched 140&amp;amp;quot; 8pt w/ estimated 18&amp;amp;quot; spread). They seem to be 100% nocturnal and they very seldom are seen chasing a doe. I have only one way in and out of this property and hunt only when the wind is right. Food and water is in every corner of the property so all the deer move very little. I consistantly get good deer here but I need to change my strategy that might get me on to one of the big guys.Is the lack of mature buck rut activity due to the fact that there is a doe behind every tree? I hunt all weapons from Sept 15 to Dec 31st. Any suggestions?
    Winke Responds:
    John, For sure, if the buck to doe ratio widely favors does, the bucks won't have to move as much during the rut. Also, mature bucks just naturally tend to be nocturnal in areas that get a fair amount of hunting pressure. The ones that had &amp;amp;quot;daylight personalities&amp;amp;quot; are already dead leaving only those that either have learned to stay put or naturally have that tendency. As a result, you generally have just two windows, in my experience. The first window is when the does are just coming into estrous. That will likely be around November 5-7. That can be really good, and also right at the tail end of the rut can be good for older bucks (November 20-23). If you have a good food source and the weather gets really cold, you can also sometimes get them during the late season. You have a common problem. You likely aren't doing anything wrong; those mature bucks are just very unlikely to move during the day. It is tough to kill them under natural movement patterns and it is pretty risky to put all your cards in one basket and try to uproot them with a few deer drives. However, that is how many big deer are killed each year. Sorry, I don't have great advice on how to make a nocturnal buck move during the day. Good luck.
  • How to Hunt a Nocturnal Buck?
    Jake from MO asks:
    Bill I am hunting a buck that I believe to be totally nocturnal. I have numerous trail camera pictures of him but the majority are around 1-3 am. One exception however was a picture at 6:40 right before light. How do you suggest hunting this buck? The area i hunt consists of river bluff timbers and the bottom is in row crop.
    Winke Responds:
    Jake, You really have only decent option but it is kind of heavy handed. Go into his bedding area (if you know where it is) push him out and put up a tree stand. Hunt it right away and get in there well before daylight a few more days until he shows back up. You may never get him. Some bucks simply can't be killed short of deer drives. I guess you can try a drive. I'm not much good at deer drives with a bow, but with a gun it is definitely possible. Otherwise, you may have to wait until next November's rut and try to get him during that time when most bucks make at least one mistake (November 3 through 10). Good luck. Bill