The deer rut is one of the most popular and exciting times to hunt.

This is because the deer are more active during this time and you’re more likely to see big bucks.

However, hunting the deer rut can be tricky.

Here are our top 5 tips to help you increase your chance for success while hunting the rut.

1. Know When the Rut Is Taking Place 

The first step to hunting the deer rut is to know when it is taking place.

The rut typically lasts from October to December, with peak activity occurring in mid-October and mid-November.

By knowing when the rut is taking place, you can plan your hunt accordingly.

Hunting apps like HuntStand Pro and Spartan Forge even have deer prediction and rut hunting information built into their app to help tell you the best days and times to hunt the rut.

2. Use Scents and Lures 

During the rut, deer are more active and thus more likely to be attracted to scents and lures.

You can use this to your advantage by using doe estrus or setting up a mock deer scrape.

This will help you attract more deer to your area, increasing your chances of a successful rut hunt.

As always, check with your state’s wildlife management agency to ensure certain scents and lures are legal to use where you’re planning to hunt.

3. Use Calls and Antler Rattles

Since the bucks are chasing does and are more territorial, they’re willing to throw down.

Use this to your advantage!

Make sure to take a buck grunt tube so you can call a buck into range.

Nothing is worse than having a buck close, yet too far to shoot.

Having a buck call with you will give you the chance to call them in if need be.

Also, in conjunction with the buck call is a set of antlers to rattle.

Just like hearing or seeing a fight break out at a bar – bucks want to check out, or possibly throw down themself if there is sparring action going down on their turf.

Use the deer’s curiosity to your advantage during the rut.

4. Spend More Time in the Woods

This might seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning.

The more time you spend in the woods – the more opportunities you have to shoot a big buck.

This is even more true during the rut.

Bucks will extend their normal range 3-5 times during the rut in an effort to breed with does.

Use this information to give yourself a chance to see bucks you haven’t been seeing all summer and fall, but have a chance to see and shoot during the rut.

As the old adage goes – “you can’t shoot them if you’re not in the woods” is 100% true during the rut. 

5. Be Patient 

Hunting the deer rut requires patience.

This is because the deer are more active during this time and thus more likely to move around frequently.

As a result, you may have to wait longer before getting a shot off.

However, if you are patient, your efforts will pay off in the end.

Rut Recap

By following these tips, you will be well on your way to a successful deer rut hunt.

Remember to be patient and to use scents and lures specifically designed for deer hunting.

Taking these 5 tips into consideration will go a long way in increasing your chances of success rut hunt.

Make sure to check out our full Elevation HUNT line for all the Above Standard products that’ll help you elevate your bowhunting.

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