WHAT NEXT?
Posted By
indiana
at
11/23/2009 12:00:00 AM
As we are knocking on the door of Thanksgiving it brings back a sad, but true fact of life for all of us whitetail hunters here in the midwest and elsewhere: the Primary Rut is all but over. Sure enough there will still be some late does coming into estrus yet this week, and perhaps some youngsters that may enter estrus if they're big enough. All is not lost however as this bad news comes with a bit of good news as well.
Every year it seems that some of the biggest, gnarliest monster bucks finally poke their heads out of hiding to get in on some late breeding activity. There are several theories why this happens, but one thing is for sure. If you're in the right spot when Mr. Wonderful finally makes his cameo, then you could be in for a real treat. It happens to lucky hunters all over the continent every year.
I witnessed the best breeding party I've ever seen on Friday evening. Two mature bucks (one of them a hitlist buck with a broken G-3) and two subordinates were vying for the attention of one hot doe making for a very memorable hunt. One I won't soon forget. And this scenario plays itself out now as fewer does are in estrus. A week ago you wouldn't have seen that take place as most bucks were shacked up with hot does. Not anymore. As less does are available all bucks will be vying for their attention. If you're in the right place, it can be amazing.
Food sources are the most likely places to get in on this late action. Another great spot to try is in any type of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)/ fallow fields away from pressured areas. Wherever does may be feeding, or bedding up is the ticket now. Remember all the areas that you saw numbers of does hanging out and try to set up shop nearby.
This time period is very similar to the hard pre-rut as bucks will be out cruising again, looking for the odd doe that may not have been bred yet. Estrus urines can again be utilized to draw Romeo in one more time for a shot. Rattling, calling, and even decoying could also again pay divedends; but caution must be used as most bucks have been moved around by the firearms crowd. The big dudes are always tough to hunt, but doubly so after the firearms opener. This doesn't mean anybody should give up though. There is plenty of great hunting to be had yet.
Also, don't overlook the spots in your area that most people would ignore. Blaze orange clad hunters load the timber and big bucks know to avoid the trees for the time being. Two seasons ago I went out on November 25 to a stand a friend suggested. In all honesty I didn't think much of this stand, but was I in for a surprise when I got in to that big tree!
A lone hot doe and her fawn were being guarded by at least two mature bucks in a little, minuscule patch of horseweeds in a fencerow. A small sapling ruined my world that day, but the opportunity was there. If you're not seeing deer in your regular haunt, go find a tiny spot in your area that you feel a big buck might be using to either avoid hunters, or to romance one of the last gals of the Primary Rut away from any competition. You could be in for the surprise of your hunting life.
At any rate don't ever give up! Keep a positive attitude and keep grinding away. The old adage is that Good things come to those who wait.I sometimes wonder about the people who make up such statements, but you know what? They're usually always right.
Keep after it everyone! The best may be yet to come.
God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!
