Deer Season Breakdown article for Dakota Country Magazine.

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Every deer season you will hear hunters talk about the, “rut.” Rut is a broad term describing the mating period of the Cervid family, including deer, elk and moose. Hunters are interested in this time because increased testosterone in the males makes them reckless while pursuing females. In short, the bucks become dumb in love.

After years of data collection and research by many wildlife agents they have proven that rut is triggered by photoperiod, which means the length of daylight. But other factors do affect the timing like moon phases and weather patterns. But year after year, just like clockwork the photoperiod causes the estrus in the does to flow which in turn makes the bucks change their behavior.

Whitetail bucks will start making scrapes and rubs to mark their territory by spreading their scent. Scrapes are when bucks scrape the ground bare while adding urine and rubs are when bucks rub their antlers on trees and branches to spread their tarsal gland scent. During this time when daylight is diminishing, the velvet on the antlers start to shed. As soon as their antlers are hard enough, they will begin sparring. Just for play at first but then it becomes aggressive for the right to breed. Physically the buck’s appearance will change also, their necks start to swell in order to look bigger against their competition.

Pre-rut:

Deer will begin feeding mostly during dawn and dusk. Their patterns will begin to limit daylight movement each day, every day. Middle to late October in the northern states, bucks will begin making rubs and scrapes. During this time their necks will begin to strengthen and swell as they begin sparring to establish dominance. Where there is a scrape there is usually an overhanging tree branch which becomes a marking spot for deer in the area. Both bucks and does will lick and rub their foreheads to mark their territory. These rubs, scrapes and licking branches allow bucks to find receptive does and rival bucks.

While hunting pre-rut find the areas with rubs and scrapes. If you have a trail cam this is a great spot to find out what deer are in the area. Rubs and scrapes can be found anywhere but target field edges and travel routes in between food sources. Bucks will be keeping tabs on their rub and scrape lines searching for does that are active. 

Rut:

Rut takes place early to mid-November depending on your area and daylight hours. During the rut bucks become more and more active searching for does that are in estrus. Bucks become very aggressive towards each other trying to establish hierarchy in their territory. Sparring becomes a real fight for dominance between bucks with similar rank. Their typical routine goes out the window as they only have one thing in mind and that is to find an open and ready doe. Bucks become distracted and are in some cases easier to hunt. During the rut you can find bucks chasing does throughout the day and night. Bucks have been known to chase does over a day or more until the does are ready. Bucks even forget about eating during this time. 

Hunting during the rut can be very productive. During the rut you can hunt all day long and have a good chance seeing deer movement. As mentioned, bucks throw caution to the wind and become less concerned with their surroundings. If hunting during the rut, set up your stands between bedding spots and on trails to food sources. If you find does, bucks will be there also. Does tend to stick to their regular routine and trails while bucks will be going every direction. Grunt tubes during the rut can be used very successfully to challenge other bucks for breeding rights. Also, during this time doe bleat calls can be used to call in bucks looking for does. To bring in deer from a little farther away you can try rattling antlers to mimic fighting bucks. But with calls and antlers, start quietly to not scare away deer that might be close that you cannot see. With the deer cruising everywhere, deer attractants including different urines can help lure deer in and cover your scent.

Sometimes there is a lull in activity when bucks in your area are locked down with hot does. This could last a of couple days. Don’t get discouraged because they will start moving again.

Post-rut:

As winter begins to take hold deer rut starts to shut down. Bucks that have been chasing and does that have been running are now focused on making it through the winter. Food becomes the number one objective to regain strength and weight lost during the rut.

Bucks will still be interested in chasing and breeding does but the pickings are few and far between. You begin to see less and less deer during daylight hours. While hunting post-rut, target in between food sources and bedding areas during dawn and dusk.

Second rut was not mentioned earlier but happens every year. This is for the few females who were not bred during the first rut. Bucks will seek out these few does the first couple weeks of December.