How to Deer Hunt Each Week of the Rut
Here’s a game plan for each phase of the whitetail rut.
Rut Strategies: Hunt Wide-Open
Deer hunters know the rut produces unpredictable behavior in bucks. Acknowledge that, and you’ll understand why November is not the month to remain conservative. Instead “open the throttle” and hunt hard.
Know-How: Lessons From The Rut
The rut is here, so perhaps it’s time to throw caution to the wind. Deer don’t act normal, and neither should you.
Know-How: Smart Plans for Rut Stands
To have the best chance at seeing a buck, you must stay in step with the rut's three basic phases when choosing where to place your stands and which days to hunt them.
Your November Rut Playbook
Here’s a week-by-week guide to staying in step with the rut this month to up your odds of tagging the buck you want.
12 Tips for the Rut
During the rut, the bucks themselves may not always know where they will be next, so how can you expect to know? Luck will always play a role in your success, but when you play the odds and focus on those things that are predictable, luck will find you a whole lot sooner.
Simplifying the Rut
Bucks are on their feet more often in daylight at this time of year, so there are many ways to be successful during the rut. Field Editor Bill Winke explains.
The Pre-Rut Gamble
Are you good enough? That's the question to consider when hunting a mature buck while the canopy is still up and bright and the rut’s madness is still weeks away.
Late Rut Options
Not all of the hottest whitetail action takes place in November. In several places across the whitetail's southern range, the best rut hunts fall in January.
Whitetail Season with Bill Winke: Funnels
Check out our American Hunter video insights in Whitetail Season with Bill Winke: Funnels
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