The rut is coming! For whitetail hunters from Maine to Washington the rut signals not only the peak of breeding but also the best chance of tagging out on a big, testosterone engorged buck. Many hunters take off the same week each year, generally in late October or early November, and hunt dawn to dusk in order to take full advantage of this natural trigger in buck behavior. But will this year’s rut cooperate?
While there remains debates concerning exactly what triggers the rut more and more experts are joining noted biologists who point to the moon phase as the greatest single influence. This theory states that the peak rut will occur in the 3-5 period that follows the autumn full moon, which they refer to as the Rut Moon. Unfortunately this Rut Moon is scheduled to take place on November 14, meaning the peak rut will follow between November 17-19th – after many states have already closed their bow season and prior to some starting their rifle seasons. For those luck hunters in states which do have a season during mid November these additional two weeks may make all the difference. Temperatures will likely be cooler and this could lead to one of the most intense ruts in recent years.
If you are one of the unlucky hunters who will find the rut taking place between seasons you will need to make the most of the pre-rut and maybe hope for a longer than normal rut or heavy secondary rut. But what is the prediction for those periods?
Early season and pre-rut hunts are likely to be impacted most by weather. High temperatures in late summer have decreased daytime deer activity across much of the nation and it is likely that it will be mid October before these patterns change for the better. While high levels of precipitation has been good for mid-west food plots much of the eastern states have seen just the opposite, dry conditions resulting in less productive food plots. This means some hunters will have to forego the planted clover and look for natural food sources such as apples, acorns and corn.
The key to early success will be the first cold snap. Fortunately the east coast has already seen a drastic dip in both daytime and evening temperatures, although it is too early to predict whether or not this will continue. If your trail cameras and scouting has allowed you to pinpoint monster bucks and the opportunity presents itself take it, but do not burn a stand just to spend a day in the field rather than behind a desk. Quality will outweigh quantity this year.
Winter predictions are calling for a severe winter, much different than that many areas experienced in 2015-2016. Although the worst of it is not predicted until late January or early February this could still translate to increased success during the late season. Food plots will still be available and deer will be taking advantage of every bite they can find, fattening up before the weather turns. This means late season activity should focus on targeting these food plots and their approaches.
Good luck. Good hunting!
