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 Rut gameplan?
#8943871
10/26/23 01:20 PM
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Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 77
bbarron80
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 77 |
I have to sit based off of sign I saw a week prior. With that in mind, what is your gameplan for rut hunting? What really keys you in where to sit? I will be saddle rifle hunting a WMA in a national forest. How long does the rut activity usually last with bucks all hot and bothered?
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: bbarron80]
#8944101
10/26/23 07:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,789
JCB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26,789 |
Hunt for the Does. That’s what the bucks will be doing. You find Does you will find Bucks. Peak rut only lasts about 10 days but you will see rutting activity all season long. Learn to recognize the peak and it will be the same time dang near every year give or take a few days.
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: bbarron80]
#8944104
10/26/23 07:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15,191
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15,191 |
I sit at my bench rest with some netting in front. It’s the best view of the most open area of my ranch.
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: bbarron80]
#8944132
10/26/23 08:21 PM
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 963
Sauerkraut
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 963 |
Try to find travel routes from bedding to feed (acorns). Bucks will push does off their beds and a lot of times the does will use that same route to try and evade the buck, leading the buck right by you.
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." - Ecclesiastes 9:10
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: bbarron80]
#8944141
10/26/23 08:33 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,608
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,608 |
Deer trails are usually easy to find on public land, including specific spots where they cross roads and trails. You can often find worn areas in the side of road banks that deer have been using for generations. Deer also like to pick specific spots to cross small streams and ravines. Just pick a spot a hundred yards or so back in the woods where you're likely to see evidence of multiple trails that lead to the crossing. These intersections can be hotspots during the rut when passing does drag bucks behind them.
Last edited by Texas Dan; 10/26/23 08:46 PM.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: bbarron80]
#8944176
10/26/23 09:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,407
DQ Kid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,407 |
Not real different than normal, hunt the corn at feeder and hand corned roads, as normal minimize noises and movements, watch does carefully for trailing buck/s, when buck seen, be alert for secondary bucks trailing. May do some rattling, grunting and doe bleat can cycles. Last of all, enjoy the hunt. Nothing like hunting bucks during the rut, with mature ones displaying their dominance...
Last edited by DQ Kid; 10/26/23 09:51 PM.
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: bbarron80]
#8944999
10/28/23 01:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,849
Master Plumb
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,849 |
Go early stay late find them does. Bucks dominate our feeders they will whip the does off them so we travel in areas where does are. You will find a shooter sooner or later.
Last edited by Master Plumb; 10/28/23 01:03 PM.
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: bbarron80]
#8945008
10/28/23 01:37 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,134
TPACK
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,134 |
Same as last year. I can go every day since I`m retired. Hand corn every time I hunt and get there early and as often as you can. All of our deer have been killed around 11-14 or 15. I may have already passed on the biggest mature deer I`ll see all season (twice) but that is what it is. Over half of the bucks we`ve shot , we never had a picture of or no pictures until a day or 2 before getting shot. Last season I had a nice 8 point chasing a doe and I was going to shoot until he chased her off and didn`t come back. I snook out about 11 and called my son and told him that if he could get off from work and be in my stand ASAP, he would probably get the target 8 point. He didn`t get a deer the previous year and I was feeling generous. He was in my driveway at 5 o'clock with the 8 point in the back of his truck. I ended up not getting a buck last year but not because I didn`t have opportunities.
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: bbarron80]
#8946534
10/30/23 11:20 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,692
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,692 |
Rut- bucks will be with does-Hunt where the most does are. Pre rut-bucks are traveling from doe group to doe group-Hunt a travel route between doe groups. Either way play the wind.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: bbarron80]
#8946655
10/31/23 02:00 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,671
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,671 |
Middle of the day can be a great time to kill a big 'un.
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: Jgraider]
#8946882
10/31/23 02:28 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,608
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,608 |
Middle of the day can be a great time to kill a big 'un. Might need another year but still active at 2pm yesterday. Same deer appeared on same camera last night. Cruising for does. ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2023/10/full-8809-404217-img_3501.jpg)
Last edited by Texas Dan; 10/31/23 02:29 PM.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
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Re: Rut gameplan?
[Re: TPACK]
#8947438
11/01/23 03:37 AM
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Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 10
Rhdme
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 10 |
Same as last year. I can go every day since I`m retired. Hand corn every time I hunt and get there early and as often as you can. All of our deer have been killed around 11-14 or 15. I may have already passed on the biggest mature deer I`ll see all season (twice) but that is what it is. Over half of the bucks we`ve shot , we never had a picture of or no pictures until a day or 2 before getting shot. Last season I had a nice 8 point chasing a doe and I was going to shoot until he chased her off and didn`t come back. I snook out about 11 and called my son and told him that if he could get off from work and be in my stand ASAP, he would probably get the target 8 point. He didn`t get a deer the previous year and I was feeling generous. He was in my driveway at 5 o'clock with the 8 point in the back of his truck. I ended up not getting a buck last year but not because I didn`t have opportunities. What area do you hunt ?
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