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Rut-Best days?

camo658

camo658

New Member
So, what are your guys thoughts on which days will be the best this year?

I've read that some are projecting this year to be an early rut year. I mean, some are saying Oct. 27th - Nov. 4th and Oct. 8-12 as the days to be in the stand. I even read one report(drury/hanback) where they were saying to be out as early as the 24th!

I hope they're wrong as I plan on being in the stand Nov. 5th, and maybe be in as early as the 2nd or 3rd.

So, what do you guy think? When are you planning on hunting(dates) the rut?
 
I will be in Iowa Oct 25th through Nov 4th the Ohio for a week so I should hit it right on the head
 
I really doubt the rut can fluctuate by more than a week or so. The rut happens when does come in heat and from my understanding that is dictated by the length of days which doesn't make a whole lotta sense but that's how it goes as far as I know. Typically the rut is happening the second week of november. The middle of the rut probably isn't necessarily the prime time you want to be out in the woods (not that you shouldn't be), but more like pre-rut when the bucks are on their feet searching. If the rut does happen a little earlier than normal than I'd say yeah, the woods would be hoppin late october/early november. Its hard to tell until it starts though and everyone can guess but nobody knows.
 
6-10th would be my pick for best rut days of the year.

It never changes yearly on what I see as the best chasing days. They start to lock down around the 11th yearly as mature bucks seem to disappear around that time. Then they start showing back up in force on the 20th or so. Been happening like that on my place for the past 7 years.
 
Don't get me wrong, I will be in stand every opportunity I get during the first week of November. But that week around Thanksgiving is my favorite time to be in stand.
 
Every year we have this arguement, and every year the rut will always be the same days in terms of when the does are coming into estrus. There is no such thing as an early rut or late rut. The moon phase and cold fronts can have deer up and moving more in day light during pre rut differently from year to year but the "Rut" will always be the same plus or minus a day due to the leap year. Just like all seasonal breeding species the estrous cycle is dictated by melatonin. Melatonin is only released from the brain during the dark aka at night. So as day length shortens more melatonin is released and the does start to cycle. End of story no arguements that is how the estrous cycle works.

Like I said the "early rut" statements might be due to it being a new moon in late Oct this year causing a bit more daytime movement. Or if we get a big high pressure system that hits in late Oct that will also get the bucks up and moving more during the daylight hours, but 95% of the does will not start to cycle until after Nov 2-3 or so.
 
bigbuckhunter88 said:
Don't get me wrong, I will be in stand every opportunity I get during the first week of November. But that week around Thanksgiving is my favorite time to be in stand.
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I think mature bucks have broke free at that time and few does are in estrous which leads to more movement. My trail cams make the same claims every year with what they see too.
 
Around Oct 25th every year is when I start getting more bucks during daylight and up through about the 6th of Nov have always been golden for me.....then around the 20th of Nov the start re cycling if they weren't bread the first time around
 
breiner11 said:
I always have daylight pics of the biggest bucks between Nov 17-25, problem is I'm usually tagged out by then. Gonna hold out this year
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For the most all day buck movement nov 6-11, but for the oldest bucks, no doubt nov 17-25, especially on the afternoon feeding areas, looking for one more.
 
bigbuckhunter88 said:
Don't get me wrong, I will be in stand every opportunity I get during the first week of November. But that week around Thanksgiving is my favorite time to be in stand.
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Not only for the deer but for the leftovers right? Just kidding. But Seriously best times for all day sits are after thanksgiving :)
 
I have my own madness theory on best days..... Traditionally (and yes, changes year to year), I like the last couple days in October & then it seems like it slows down for like 3-4 days for some odd reason. Then, around the 4th-5th it picks back up. The peak then being somewhere between 8th - 16th depending on the year. Then, an expected Lull. After that, around the 20th it picks up & all thru Thanksgiving is just great. Sometimes a bit slower BUT often I'll see bigger bucks in the later part of Nov. I'm almost to the point where I prefer the 20-28th more than earlier Nov. Just my mental diary over the years.
 
Bring back to the top

Curious to hear more opinions on this....?

I have halloween---Nov 8th off

Then possibly back down to Iowa mid Nov if necessary
 
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