Dynamics of the Whitetail Rut

There are several behaviors associated with the whitetail “rut”. The first sign of rutting behavior is often sparring among bucks. Sparring may take place between bucks of equal stature or between a dominant and subordinate or immature buck. Initially, these are usually short-lived, low intensity, pushing and shoving matches. These sparring scenarios may help establish the dominance hierarchy among males. As the peak of the breeding season approaches, sparring matches may give way to full-blown antler fights. These generally take place between bucks of similar hierarchical status.

Two other behaviors associated with the rut are “rubbing” and “making scrapes.” Both serve as scent signposts for olfactory and, perhaps, visual communication.  You can start to see signs of rubbing not long after velvet is dried and/or shed, but continues throughout the rutting period. A rub is initially made by a buck rubbing his antlers and forehead (for scent deposition) on a shrub or small tree. Once created, a rub may be used by several bucks or does. Generally, bucks begin “making scrapes” several weeks after the first rubs appear. This “scrapping” activity increases as the breeding season peaks and then declines throughout the remainder of the rutting period. A scrape is made by a buck pawing a spot of ground, usually to bare soil, and rub-urinating in that soil.  Scent from the forehead, preorbital gland or mouth is often deposited on the broken branch.

A common belief is that cooler weather is responsible for the increased rutting activity at this time; however, photo-period is the primary contributor. During this two to three week period, most does come into estrous for the first time of the season. Does are receptive for around 24 hours. If they are not bred during this time frame, they generally recycle in three to four weeks. A doe will recycle several times; however, failure to conceive during the first or second estrous period may indicate an improper buck to doe ratio. As the peak of the rut approaches, there is an increase in bucks chasing does (usually before she is receptive) and bucks tending does (usually during a doe’s receptive period).  Most antler fights occur during this period when they do occur.  Your number of mature bucks and the buck to doe ratio can have impact on how much fighting you will see or will actually occur.  Frequency of antler fights declines after the peak of the rut.

Calling During the Whitetail Rut

Let’s do some deer talk’n as it relates to the behaviors of whitetails described above.  It is that time to get out the rattle bag, horns and calls.  You may already have some deer in pre-rut or even chasing does.  We have all seen in the field or on a TV show how effective calling can be during the Pre-Rut, Rut and Post Rut.   Based on that let me ask you how effective has it been for you over that years?  For me I have had varied success and have asked myself what is driving this?

• Am I calling correctly?
• Am I using the right call for the right scenario?

I do believe that there is a strategy to calling.  This includes 1) when to call, 2) how loud to call, 3) when not to call, and 4) which calls to use. Let’s go through some of these scenarios:

Pre – Rut- deer are becoming more aggressive and beginning to let other bucks know they are in the area via scrapes and rubs as described above.  When you are seeing this kind of “sign” using a grunt call and some light rattling can be effective.  Factors to consider during this time are the number of dominant bucks, buck to doe ratio, and the amount of sign you are seeing.  If you do not have a large number of dominant bucks too aggressive of calling can some bucks not come in to investigate due to being afraid of getting their butts kicked.  Also consider that if you do call in a scenario where you do not have a lot of mature deer then using grunt call sequences that are not overly aggressive or “deep”.  Consider using a young buck sounds to entice the bucks you do have to come in and demonstrate dominance.  This may give you a better chance of getting a shot on the most mature you have on the property.

Rut/Chasing- During this magical time you can get very aggressive with your calls that would include rattling, doe in estrus calls, and grunt calls.  There are a number of calls you can use for doe in estrus that include Primos Lil Can, Primos Long Can, and others.  Additionally, you can use rattling horns or rattle bags such as these Flextone Battle Bag.  There are a number of calling sequences you can execute during this time that include the following:

• Roar (introduced by Primos) – which is an aggressive call where a buck is defending a hot doe.  He is saying ” Hey Get Out of Here”
• Communication Grunt – deeper single note type of grunt vocalizations saying “Hey I Am Over Here”
• Tending Grunt - many times made by smaller or younger bucks chasing does.  Often the Mature Buck is watching and waiting for that moment to move in
• Snort Wheeze – Vocalization between two bucks being very aggressive towards each other

The use of decoys during this time can also produce great results.  There are a number of good decoys on the market such as the Primos Scarface (seen below) and Harry. Using a decoy on the edge of a field so that buck can see it as they are cruising.  Face the decoy towards you because that buck is going to come in behind the decoy.  This gives you time to draw your bow and get ready for shot.  Make sure you spray your decoy down with a scent eliminator such as Dead Down Wind or Scent Away Sprays. Then adding some type of doe in estrus doe scent can help bring that buck in.

Rut/Breeding – During this time it can be tough hunting b/c many of the mature bucks are locked down with that buck.  Where she goes he goes.  He is not likely to break away from her so calling may produce limited results.  You may consider hunting over those food sources near cover to catch him on her tail as she goes to get something to eat.

Post Rut- During this time you will have bucks back on the move to play clean up for any does that have come into estrus late.  Hunting over food sources with some estrus bleats may help produce some positive results.  Heavy rattling may produce some results but consider during this time these bucks may be worn down and less willing to get into a fight.  If you have not put in your food plot then do as soon as possible.  Depending on your hunting scenario or food plot size you may consider doing a small food plot that uses a contact seed that will quickly germinate and produce results.  Seeds such as Biologic “Hot Spot” can be very effective in these scenarios to provide a highly nutritional food source during the winter to help draw in does and thus bucks on these does.

More on the Calls referenced above….

The Original Flexible Game Call maker has teamed up with Michael Waddell and the whole Bone Collector Brotherhood to create possibly the most innovative deer call to enter the woods. To put it bluntly, we put THE WHOLE HERD IN ONE CALL. The Buck Collector produces all known vocalizations as well as wheeze sounds through one killer deer call. No matter what deer vocalization you need to produce, the Buck Collector will do it simply by squeezing the labeled buttons while you blow. The call even has an integrated snort wheeze that amplifies the sound as it travels through the exhaust chamber.

The flextone® deer calls developed by Tom Wiley feature a patented combination of hard and soft parts that mimic the rigid voice box and soft, flexible neck and mouth tissues of a game animal. This design produces an enhanced control of volume and tone, giving you a fuller range of vocalizations and a more natural sound. The All-N-One Deer Call also features buttons that show the user where to squeeze the call, (F) for fawn, (D) for doe, (YB) for young buck or just blow without squeezing for a mature buck. The opposite end also has a (Vol) button for volume control. Now you have the flexibility to produce a full range of vocalizations with one deer call. The flextone® All-N-One Deer Call will, with just the squeeze of a button, accurately produce a fawn bleat or distress, a doe bleat or grunt, as well as a young buck or a mature buck grunt. Not only will you appreciate the natural sounds this call makes but also the sounds it does not make if accidentally coming in contact with your gun or bow. (Model ftd)

The Flextone Battle Bag is the ultimate fighting machine. The flexible/stretchable bag makes it easy to mesh the synthetic fighting sticks together and gives you more volume than other bags. The design also keeps the sticks from making unwanted noise when entering your hunting area.

The Primos Up ROAR Deer Call^® truly is a “Triple Threat”. It combines 3 of the most effective calls to bring deer in close. It has 2 chambers, an Aggressive Grunt and an Estrus^™ Bleat, topped off with a Wheeze tube to challenge bucks to a fight. The Grunt chamber reproduces a deep, resonating aggressive grunt that is made by bucks during the rut. The Bleat chamber reproduces a loud Estrus^™ Bleat made by receptive does. When using these calls in combination you can sound like a buck chasing a hot doe. This will make other bucks jealous and come running to see what’s causing the Up ROAR^®.

For more information visit Stick’em Archery @ www.Stickemarchery.com

How many times have you been in the woods and set up in the perfect location.  You have everything just right but there is one branch or limb that is blocking your shot.  We have all faced this and probably tried to cut it with a saw where you were reaching out too far that could have resulted in a fall or injury.  The Hooyman Extendible Tree Saw allows you to safely reach and cut those branches making for clear shooting.

You’ll find that Hooyman Saws are great for:
• Hunting trips
• Quick set-ups
• Pack-in hunts
• Impromptu hunts
• Pre-season stand prep
• Keeping in you backpack
• Clearing over-growth since last season

The Hooyman Extendible Tree Saw is unique in that it is both a folding saw and an extendible saw. You can use your Hooyman just as you would any folding saw (you’ll notice that a Hooyman cuts even better) or add the extension and you’ll reach branches that you could never reach before. The two segments “nest” together for easy compact transport.

The revolutionary telescoping extension system is sturdy and adjustable. Hooyman’s exclusive positive locking design features individual sections that lock down individually, This gives you the ability to adjust length and assures the extension won’t flex or collapse.

Premium “MegaBite”™ blade cuts
better than any other folding saw.

Made of premium carbon steel, Hooyman’s MegaBite™ blade features a special four-edge tooth design which cuts better than any folding saw you’ve ever used.  The blade on the Hooyman locks back and easily folds down with the touch of a finger.

This saw comes in both a 5? version and a 1o’ version to fit whatever your needs are.  This a a must have saw that all the Stick’em Archery Pro Staff uses in the field.

“Watch” this Gear Review on the Hooyman Tree Saw with Spook Spann and the Stickemarchery.com team.

To purchase this Hooyman Extendible Tree Saw click the logo below and it will take you to our Online Archery Store.

Game Cameras may be one of the most effective resources we have as bowhunters to scout the woods.  Especially if you are hunting a mature dominant buck.  You can not be in the woods all the time looking due to a chance of educating that animal and not seeing him at all.  The use of quality digital game cameras has helped significantly.  The issue has been the ability to own several of them to spread out over the woods so you have “eyes” everywhere.  Now, Wildgame Innovations has brought several new digital game cameras to the market that are under around $100.  Not to say we will not use many of the other quality cameras on the market but this is a great step to help us spread some dollars.

Wildgame Innovations IR4 4.0 MP Digital Game Scouting Camera with Infrared Flash

Our ir4 camera features 64MB of on board memory, an infrared flash and a large programming screen. Can accommodate up to a 8GB SD card (Not included) to store images on. Take 30 second videos and still images. Uses 4 PCS. C-cell batteries (Not included).

LCD dispay features:

• TIME
• DATE
• PHOTOS
• BATTERY LEVEL INDICATOR
• ACTIVE PERIOD SETTING
• CAMERA DELAY SETTING

Wildgame Innovations S22 2.0MP Digital Game Scouting Camera with Strobe Flash

These 2.0MP camera feature 16MB on board memory, a powerful strobe flash-20 feet-and a large LCD programming screen. Accommodates up to a 2GB SD Card (not included) for photo storage. Takes still photos. USB Cable and Bungee Cords for mounting (included). Operates on 4Pcs.

Wildgame Innovations X6c 6.0 MP Digital Game Scouting Camera with Infrared Flash & REALTREE CAMO

The x6c features a 40 foot flash range, 64MB of on board memory and can accommodate up to a 8GB SD card. With its compact design and camouflage housing, the x6c will go virtually undetected and lend itself to being mounted almost anywhere. The x6c can take still images or 30 second video clips. Operates on 8 AA batteries (Not included)

ALL OF OUR DIGITAL GAME CAMERAS COME EQUIPPED WITH:

• External power port
• Bungee cords
• USBV cable
• Driver
• Instructional CD
• Instructional booklet

Here are some pictures we took from the WGI IR 4 in Georgia…

If you would like to see any of these WGI Digital Game Cameras in our Online Store click the logo below.

If you are going  to climb up a tree and bowhunt, then you should think of your family and yourself and make sure you are wearing a Safety Harness.  If had to guess at the age group of hunters who are most likely to have a tree stand injury it would be young hunters between 15 and 34.  This age group is more likely to suffer serious injuries in tree stand-related accidents, according to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (BAU) Center for Injury Sciences.

The study, presented online in the Journal of TRAUMA® Injury, Infection and Critical Care, says men are twice as likely as women to be injured, and younger hunters more likely than older ones. Hunters aged between 15-24 had injury rates of 55.7 per 100,000, and those aged 25-34 averaged 61 injuries per 100,000. Hunters over 65 had injury rates of only 22.4 per 100,000.

“The elevated injury rate among younger hunters is significant, says Gerald McGwin, Jr. MS, Ph.D, senior investigator on the study, “because debilitating injuries in younger people are far more devastating than for older individuals because of the potential long-term effects that create both physical and financial hardships for patients and their families.”

Using data drawn from the 2000-07 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the UAB researchers report that the number of Americans hunting has remained stable over the past decade, with 12.5 million people engaging in hunting in 2006. There were an estimated 46,860 injuries related to tree stand use between 2000 and 2007.

The point is wear a Harness but what we did is look at many of the safety harnesses on the market and found the 2010 Muddy Safety Harness to be a great harness.  No matter what Harness you use, just use one.  Again, we owe it to our families and ourselves to be as safe as we can in the woods.  If you are looking for a Safety Harness that is light weight, provides full body support, low profile but dose not compromise safety.  Then you need to check out these Muddy Harnesses.

Features:

- Only 1.9 lbs. (less than 1/2 or 1/3 of the weight of many other safety harnesses on the market)
- Low Profile
- Chest Strap
- Full Body Support
- 1,500 lb. leg straps  (can withstand a great deal of weight and pressure in the event you do fall)

You can purchase any of the Muddy Outdoor Stands and Climbing Sticks at Stick’em Archery by clicking here.

Watch these product review videos we do on the Muddy Outdoor Stands and Climbing Sticks…

Check out many of the other Gear and Product Reviews we do here at Stick’em Archery

Watch these product review videos we do on the Muddy Outdoor Stands and Climbing Sticks