From: Andy Man
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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good vidieo, and thanks
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From: sir misalots
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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Im no expert but Ive seen the best bucks around the 8th-13th of Nov
Here in SE Ohio thats the time Id be in the woods
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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The time to be in the woods is when you're able to be in the woods. I wouldn't give two hoots for the thought that the moon keeps them from running in the daytime. What makes a buck move is instinct; the breeding urge; fight/flight syndrome, and feeding. Once the first doe comes into estrous in a buck's territory, he'll run and look until the rutting season abates.
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From: elknailer
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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hunting whitetails by the moon by Charlie Alszheimer. great read
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From: Tree
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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I feel its all based on the length of day, and the length of day should be very close to the same (date wise) from year to year. The length of day effects most all living things in a very big way from breeding habits to feeding habits. My chickens wont even lay eggs if they dont have 12hrs of light. My best bucks have all been taken in the first 2 weeks of november, the last 2 weeks of the Pa archery season no matter the moon phase.
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From: Bugle-up
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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I hunt every year in Illinois and target the dates of November 6-15 with primary focus on 8-12. My travel schedule doesn't always allow hitting the dates just as I would prefer.
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From: Homey88
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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Great video Craig!! Really interested in hearing others thoughts on rut timing and tactics.
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From: Jim
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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Very good video Craig, thanks for sharing!
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From: Andy Man
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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Usually around the second week of November here
But I'm a be out as much as can sorta guy
just never know
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From: Chas
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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I haven't found much correlation between the moon phase and buck sightings. For me its been buck to doe ratio and photoperiodism (time of year). I use my vacation days between Halloween and Nov 15th here in SE MI. Moon has effect on most creatures including us, but I just haven't seen first hand moon phase altering buck movement. That said you have to be out in the woods to see if it does, but then again your out in the woods to see if it does so deer sights should go up right??
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From: Bowguy
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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For years I’ve heard biologists claim the moon phase doesn’t matter. I’ve been hunting since early 80. All I do is hunt, fish and hobby trap. That being said I say bs. The moon does tend to matter. I hunt just as hard, long, much on a full moon to less avail. I’ve killed hundreds of deer but I’d bet a very small percentage were on a big moon. I’ll take it dark, odds are way better. My buddies w equal or more experience have the very same conclusions from their experience unless we’ve all been this unlucky. Now let me state some theories. I do agree most breeding takes place the same time each year. You’ll see dead bucks all over the roads. You’ll see them all night but it seems more concentrated than on a big moon. Take my advice or leave it, anybody can make a video and state claims. Don’t mean he’s right. Another thing, tests are only conclusive to the test subjects. Free range hunted deer are much dif than biologists pen deer. Now a thought about rut hunting. When’s the best time? When should someone plan vacation? Go on a hunt? I say just before peak rut for many reasons. One is the bucks are in walking stage than. They’re acticely seeking. They’re more subsepitable to calls and if you use scents. The does might get followed or chased but they aren’t locked down w a buck somewhere. During the rut most you see is chasing. Try n get a great shot off than. It’s tougher. Here’s another thing, do bucks like does? Answer is no. They only have an interest in does in heat or does coming in. In areas w skewed buck/doe ratios the rut means 10 does are in heat for every buck maybe. During the pre rut a very few does are starting to come in. If bucks are interested in only those type does the buck to “correct type doe” ratio is 1-1. This forces competition and makes the deer susceptible. Do what you want, wanna believe what you see or read, go for it. I personally think you ought to consider the many variables that go w the rut in the area you hunt
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From: Tree
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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Photoperiod is the length of day. Per the Penn state deer study's, they state that the length of day cues the does estrous cycle not the moon or weather. If you get a chance google Penn state deer studies and there a bunch of info there, its very interesting.
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From: Wayne Hess
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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Craig a lot of truth in the video, length of day light on does, hunting pressure, deer density , when we used to have 15 to 20 does in a heard it keep the bucks in your area not 1or 2 does it's a quickie, Then off a couple miles and on. Game movement by the moon. Their was a guy north of you Craig. His name John Alden Knight, His research started every one doing Moon tables, truth to in and weather changes. His book of Moon Up Moon Down. A Good read. Take Car every body and good hunting. www.solunartables.com
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From: Tree
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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I very much agree with Bowguys post. You cant beat personal experience in a certain area.
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From: dean
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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In the Iowa, what goes on with human activity trumps everything. I always find it interesting with some smaller plots either private or public. Guys set up for deer just like they see on TV, then during the middle of the day run all over the place with no bow or gun in hand to check out what other hunters are doing and hoping to find that perfect spot on their 120 acres. Then during pheasant season they stomp down every weed clump and run dogs to trying to flush every possible pheasant, then come evening are back to the tree stands thinking that everything is back to its serene just like they saw on TV set up, while the deer are over the hill two miles away going 'what the hell was that all about', which makes the hunters two miles away that did the same stuff declaring that they didn't mess up anything , 'the deer must have been bedded down out in the corn somewhere'.
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From: timex
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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I only watched a few minutes the best time to go hunting is any time ya can. that said every year I take the 2nd week of Nov off & spend from sunup til sundown in the woods every day that week. but honestly just go hunting & enjoy the woods
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From: RymanCat
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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Follow no man we should have learned woodsman-ship early on and studied enough of our own animals to know when and where to get it on.
Be there or he will be there when your not.
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From: Andy Man
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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Timex:
I'm in Virginia too
and the second week of November always has been the best here for me espically if a cold front
Still the best week , but diminished activity if overly hot
I'm in the Northern Neck area of Virginia along the lower potomac River
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From: Justin
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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Outstanding!!!!!
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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The best time to hunt is WHEN YOU CAN. You can't kill them sitting on the couch.
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From: Skeets
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Date: 04-Oct-18 |
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Good video. Lots of knowledge. Thanks for sharing.
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From: Zbone
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Date: 05-Oct-18 |
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People make it to complicated... Peak rut is within a day or two of the same dates year after year... Sure there may be different daytime deer activity due to lunar phase and/or weather, but does will be bred withing a couple days of the same date year after year, just ask a deer farmer... If weather is hot, breeding will be done at night...
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From: Bassman
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Date: 05-Oct-18 |
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I have had my best luck here in Pa. from Nov. 2nd to Nov 6th.
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From: Nrthernrebel05
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Date: 05-Oct-18 |
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I agree with bowman about the moon. My friends and I have noted over the years there is less daylight movement when there is a full moon. I’d much rather hunt a new moon any day. I live inVA too and agree the rut usually is in full swing in or around the second week in November.
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From: olddogrib
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Date: 05-Oct-18 |
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Given all the theories of photoperiodism, moon phase, etc., consider this. I hunt the NW mountains where the rut is usually early November similar to most other places. Many years ago I hunted what was at that time Pungo NWF (now Pocosin Lakes), home of deer, bear, big eastern diamondbacks and bigger mosquitoes. Whitetail there will consistently rut on average a month or more earlier. Bear in mind that this is 250-300 miles due east in the same state. Our NCWF and state biologists will back this up. Why I don't know they just do...maybe the does are just ready.
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From: olddogrib
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Date: 05-Oct-18 |
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I should have pointed out for those not familiar with NC that the area I'm referring to is our northern coastline. It has more temperate winter and maybe its just a matter of adaptation and fawns being a able to survive an earlier birth.
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From: Wild Bill
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Date: 05-Oct-18 |
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Those of you who pooh pooh moon talk, and insist that just getting out there is the only essential action, consider this, Charles Alsheimer did that. His observations and relationships with deer, led him to formulate what he learned.
Since reading about the moon and deer behavior I've taken note of deer sightings and moon phase. I'm a believer. Moon overhead, or underfoot, sightings increase, that is, when the quarter phase coincides with sunrise and sunset. New moon and full moon phase equates to better hunting at midday.
The moon is only one factor in understanding deer behavior, such as, mast crop, weather fronts and hunting pressure.
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From: Nemophilist
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Date: 05-Oct-18 |
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X2 with Wild Bill. There is a lot of things to consider.
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From: GLF
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Date: 05-Oct-18 |
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Around here the only way you'll see many deer during a full moon is hunt from 10-2, midday or jump em oughta beds. All that goes out the window during the first 2 weeks of November, with the best being the second week. I used to see the deer crossing the road to a thicket about 4 am on my way to work during the full moon. My mother in law hit one as they crossed back over around 11 PM. During these times I won't see deer so I started sitting all day. The deer were feeding around noon. After that I slept in during full moons except November. Around here they move when they move in November with the first 2 weeks being the best. And as I said ,with the second week being the best.
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From: woodsman
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Date: 06-Oct-18 |
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I only know the bowhunting in my area. The second or third week of November may be great but it's also during our firearms seasons.. it's not even a bowhunting consideration for me..
The intensity of the rut varies from year to year so I do believe the moon plays a factor. I will focus my primary Bowhunting time from the week prior to Halloween to opening day of firearms season.. That's usually as good as it gets for Bowhunting here..
It may vary in other areas.. Good Hunting to all.
Chris
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From: dean
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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The best time to go hunting will be next Wednesday from 3pm to 15 minutes after sunset. The next best time will be next Thursday from 2:45pm till 15 minutes after sunset.
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From: ground hunter
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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the first moon guy that I know, that wrote about it, in detail was Jeff Murray, who died way too young from cancer. I also follow it, although I hunt anyways, I do believe in it....
I can tell you I can only go by my own journals, and have not shot much in bucks, during a full moon, I can tell you that, but after, oh yeah, game on........
I am also in the woods everyday, unless I do not want to be, like others here.......
this will go against the grain, but I like early December in the north, after the rut, when they are putting the feed bag on
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From: Keefers
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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I don't get the time to really keep check on deer patterns but use what I see as far as Trails,bedding areas,scrapes that have been recently worked and use what natural ground material I find to make a quick blind set up and last Nov. it paid off doing my first week or so of hunting.I remembered what movement I saw the previous years of mid morning deer movement and a few bucks either tailgating does or heading to a brier patch to rest a bit during mid to late morning.Last year I went to a scrape line through the woods to a downed tree that had a root ball and would present me with a 15 yard or closer shot if deer came through . Well to my right was a really big scrape that every doe,yearling and a few bucks would stop and sniff,work and lick above low hanging branch's . I was in an intersection of what I found to be a busy community scrape I do believe and with every deer that came in not a one was alarmed by my presence there .A few checked the wind mostly does but were quite relaxed and slowly moved through. So at 10:30 I was fortunate to have this buck come in on my left behind the root ball at 7 yards quartering towards me then turning and walking a small trail that finally gave me a broadside shot at 12 yards while he was going straight towards that big scrape.
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From: Bowguy
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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Guys I’m gonna say this again. Most of what I’m seeing is video or talk about another man’s observations. We shouldn’t be that way. Maybe to begin but we need to be open enough to utilize ALL information not just what we’ve been told/read/seen a video of. Like I said in my area a full moon is a curse, doesn’t matter if it’s visible during the day, position, etc. I’ve hunted in Canada including west Canada and all over the east. I’ve never seen it different. Now my time in west Canada is limited so we can’t be sure my information is correct. It’s possible there may be regional differences that are related to factors such as pressure. I Illinois where I hunted for instance the deer were free range. The deer seemed to me oblivious to tree stands. They never looked up. If anyone did a study, wrote a book, took a video you could “prove” deer don’t look up. Try that where I hunt. You’d have an impossible time getting video. Here’s another thing that’s amusing to me cause imo it shows only an understanding of what our deer are doing. It relates to October lull. Many say it doesn’t exist. I can tell you w no uncertainty it does exist. I have an opinion as to why. Where I hunt there’s lots of pressure. By the 3rd week of October the seasons are open long enough to make deer real spooky. It makes em go underground. The pre rut changes that. Places w no pressure I’d bet don’t see this as much. Even during the lull there’s a jail about an hour from me. There’s tons of deer every afternoon in the fields even during the lull. I’m gonna give you another unrelated example.Take the nonsense of same sex marriage. Forgive me for going here but if you went to Greenwich village in NY or anyplace in NYC and did a study/test/etc the support for it would be overwhelming. In the Bible Belt you might get totally dif test results. And that’s what I eluded to in the earlier post. All depends on the area and what the norm is. I’m gonna say something about norm. Limited experience means nothing. Anything can happen once or twice. If it’s over many years that information is more trustworthy. You’ll always hear hunters talk about one or limited occasions. I’m happy something worked out and absolutely believe them. In time a theory will either prove or disprove itself. We need to take others advice/studies and see if it’s usable in our area. Than use our brains/experience to determine if the information is valid in our hunts, not believe blindly cause some celebrity or Dr did a test that it is correct. Maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. Drs too are wrong in some occasions the cemetery proves that. Let me say something else, when someone believes something it’s easy to find information to “prove” it. Look only to grants. If you kept disproving you’d get less grant money. Look at global warming. Seems many Drs can “prove” the theory, many seem to disagree. They’re all Drs so someone has to be wrong.
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From: Keefers
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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Meant to ad that I like the 6th to about the 18th of November to be out as much as possible. Once rifle season starts its a different story.I used to pay more attention to the Moon phase and I do think it plays part of how animals react as well . Even people seem to react a bit funny on a Full moon lol..
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From: DanaC
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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Give me a crisp mid-November morning and I don't care if the moon is full or running on empty ;-)
I dread warm days during hunting season, deer will bed early and rise late. Nothing like having them move past just as you're lowering your bow!
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From: rallison
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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Years ago I read peak whitetail movement occurs when the moon is directly over your head, and under your feet.
Think about that. Both would, legally, need to occur during legal shooting hours. Also, it kinda discounts the full moon dilemma because of the very position and time of day.
So, a few years ago I started paying attention to my deer sightings in conjunction with those moon positions. It actually held water, especially so for buck sightings. Even on all day hunts, most sightings concurred. Middle of the day, morning, afternoon, it didn't matter. I dunno...just my observations.
On another front. In my little corner of Wisconsin, in the spots I've hunted since the 70's, November 6 is the day they open the cages and let the bucks out. Year after year. It's really uncanny...lol.
While the days before and after are good as well, November 6 had better find me on stand!
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From: Mingo
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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Dandy buck Keefers!
In MN - WI hunt Nov 1st - 10th and hold onto your knees to keep them from shaking. It will be on!!!
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From: RymanCat
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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I looked back last year at some of our camera photos and the bigger ones started to really show and stay around the does last week of Oct. into the middle of Nov. then things settled down a little. Big ones even showed on bait at day times at any time of the day it seemed.
Only one secret I every found is hunt your does and know where they are and don't over hunt them. Have various doe groups you can be around in various sets of brush.
And do not shoot your does then to disturb a breeder doe.
The other thing could be just be in the woods!!!!!
Keep your mouth shut about any good ones also! Now do I have to tell you why? LOL
Welcome information from others because guys just love to brag and talk BS. You play dumb to it all.
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From: crookedstix
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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I'm pretty sure that most of the guys in these videos would not do especially well hunting up here in the Maine woods, especially if they couldn't have their trail cameras. There are no food plots; and water, browse, mushrooms, and acorns are typically available to the deer everywhere. The woods here are typically thick cover with a good percentage of dense evergreens, and baiting is illegal...and deer densities are around 10-12 per sq. mile, or even less. It's a good day of scouting if I see three or four scrapes that are being tended, and maybe a half-dozen good antler rubs...and this is in 4-5 miles of walking through forested cover. Does here walk miles in the night when they're in estrus, just so that ANY buck will find them. In fact, that's how we know when it's the peak of the rut; because it's the does that are getting hit by cars.
Watching these videos feels like something that's halfway between animal husbandry and hunting, with a good measure of surveillance thrown in. It seems like the combination of food plots, trail cams, and small woodlots turn whitetails into very predictable creatures...like semi-wild cattle or something.
I realize this is a bit off the point, so I will at least add that I've had my best luck finding bucks moving in daylight during the new moon, and definitely when it comes off sharply colder after a rain event, or during a light snow.
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From: Paul@thefort
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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Having hunted WT deer in Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Indiana, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona during the past 50 years, I generally agree with his observations.
Now living in Colorado and hunting Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas, I love to be on stand the last week of Oct for those active and cruising bucks. No doubt, November 2 to the 15th, is a great time for cruising/chasing and breeding bucks. Cool to cold front with predicable winds is a great time to be out.
As someone stated, Checkout on google, Pennsylvania deer/rut studies where they GPS collared and then tracked bucks in Oct, Nov and Dec. Interesting reading.
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From: rallison
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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Cat's spot on in regards to doe populations.
I can't tell how many early season hunters I've heard lament about "all I see are does!" Thats a great problem to have.
I told my son, who was whining about that a couple years ago, to stay outa there til late October, then hunt it through the rest of the early season.
Conversely, he had trail cams set in a "great looking area" in August and September and was drooling over all the buck pics he had. I asked how many does? None. I said he'd better hunt it early...they'll be gone in a few weeks.
Gimme them baldies, they'll bring the boys in!
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From: RymanCat
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Date: 07-Oct-18 |
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During peek rut that only last's a couple days not weeks like some think. I would venture to say that many here never actually seen what the peek was like anyways just because it comes and passes so fast. If you are not in it to see it you won't understand it.
From what I found is the bucks nose is so packed with doe panty pudding he can't smell anything, especially you. LOL
Its a wild time also very dangerous to witness a crazed buck when he wants to breed a doe and he will stop at nothing to get to her.
A lot like watching dogs or cats. I been in between a couple bucks on the ground when they have been breeding and have been charged. I shot one at 5 yards on the ground as a doe went past me he followed and charged me. He veerd off and he turned and got arrowed.
A buck can travel a further distance than what a lot of thought also.
Best thing is try to be in where does are this time of year. Also the mature does will kick out their fawns and when you see this happening its about to begin.
There's many ruts but the actual breeding rut is only a couple days plus does scrap as well too so don't think just bucks do all the scrapes we see in woods.
And just because the does aren't in your woods the day your there don't mean they left the area they just been pushed out but you need to stay on your does if you really want to shoot a good one.
Multiple stands not one stand and hope for a shot that one might come by.
That's hard to do in public areas because you have others screwing you up. If you don't have others pushing deer around they get locked up in breeding woods and if you don't know where they are then your at a loss or a dry spell with no action.
Id rather drive around to watch deer where they come and go then set up on one for a shot than sit in dry woods.
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From: mangonboat
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Date: 08-Oct-18 |
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It doesnt help to know if deer are breeding while I am sleeping. There are so many other factors that influence deer being in a place and at a time you can shoot at them. When bucks are rutting hard they are pretty clueless, but that doesn't mean the wiley does they are chasing are just as stupid and wont bust you.
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From: Homey88
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Date: 08-Oct-18 |
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Great thread!
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From: Ollie
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Date: 08-Oct-18 |
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The rut will occur regardless of what the moon is doing. The moon may affect the intensity of the rut and daytime activity but it is not going to open or shut down the rut.
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From: Wayne Hess
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Date: 08-Oct-18 |
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The rut is triggered by shorter days and longer nights. The moon don’t stop any thing . It don’t stop us eating, sleeping, or what ever. We go by the clock-time . The moon is the magnetic time clock for all game + weather conditions will change it + or - So the Rut happens pretty much the same time each year. Be a Hunter and enjoy it when you can.
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From: Wayne Hess
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Date: 08-Oct-18 |
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Oct. 24th. In days of OLD be fore game laws. And when it’s too Hot and game is slow to move ! Why do you think they call it the HUNTERS MOON ?
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From: Andy Man
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Date: 08-Oct-18 |
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Monkeyball: your post with the moon picture I feel is the Bottom Line
and agree 100% as well as the post above by Wayne Hess
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From: Wayne Hess
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Date: 08-Oct-18 |
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Thank you Andy Man, Monkey does some great info videos. And food for thought for new folks. When I was new none of this was around. Now for today it is Food for the freezer for Me. Love them Deer.
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From: Zbone
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Date: 15-Oct-18 |
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Since other annual rut threads and predictions will likely start popping up the closer we get to November,,, and aside from comment I made above about same dates year after year, thought would give some experiences...
Actually have video of a mature buck breeding a doe on November 4, and another video of a mature buck breeding a doe on November 30... Difference - the buck on the 4th was alone with her meaning other does were likely in estrus occupying other bucks at the time... On the 30th, I watch another mature buck (big 6x6 with crabhorn tips) almost all day with the doe, while he warded off 3 smaller bucks... By that time of the month, pickings getting slim and completion high, although anytime in November is good around here but peak 5 days are from November 7 - 11, Veterans Day... if I had only one day a year to hunt, it most definitely would be November 11th, Veterans Day...
Was looking over my notes from last year, (kinda been keeping a field note journal for posterity for my grandkids someday), but anyhow here was a day last year, November 21, 2017 with locations blocked out:
" 171121 - Peak rut is still on, while working, watched a BIG mature buck tending a doe or does on private property at xxx, bordering xxx... This was around 09:00 AM and there was other bucks running around, including another mature buck... I think there was at least 3 bucks running around there and half a dozen does... Must have been an orgy...8^) Then later around 4:00 PM watch a big mature nontypical tending a doe at the end of xxx just south of xxxx... Nontypical had a unique rack with a lot of mass... Wish I'd got better looks at these bucks, but was working and didn't have the time... This date was a good day of rutting activity..."
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