Good time Charlie
Well-Known Member
We are winding down in our area in what I would call the late Pre Rut,this is what I found.
Scrapes that were being checked frequently just a week or two ago are starting to be ignored and become less relevant, as bucks are starting to pursue does that are coming into estrous. They may, however start aggressively rubbing trees to vent their pent-up energy and show off their self-perceived dominance to other bucks. If you find one of these rubs during the late pre-rut, hunt it as soon as possible. If you're hunting an area that doesn't get a lot of pressure, you can feel free to grunt, snort-wheeze or doe bleat fairly aggressively. Be ready when you do. If you hunt a more pressured area, you'll want to use calling techniques more sparingly.
During this phase, bucks will start checking the does' scent and chase them aggressively. Find the does at this time and you're more likely to find the bucks. Younger bucks will travel the more prominent deer trails from doe area to doe area. Mature bucks will still follow heavier cover between doe areas (creek bottoms, ditches, strips of thick cover). Look for one of these areas with fresh tracks to find the big boys.
Scrapes that were being checked frequently just a week or two ago are starting to be ignored and become less relevant, as bucks are starting to pursue does that are coming into estrous. They may, however start aggressively rubbing trees to vent their pent-up energy and show off their self-perceived dominance to other bucks. If you find one of these rubs during the late pre-rut, hunt it as soon as possible. If you're hunting an area that doesn't get a lot of pressure, you can feel free to grunt, snort-wheeze or doe bleat fairly aggressively. Be ready when you do. If you hunt a more pressured area, you'll want to use calling techniques more sparingly.
During this phase, bucks will start checking the does' scent and chase them aggressively. Find the does at this time and you're more likely to find the bucks. Younger bucks will travel the more prominent deer trails from doe area to doe area. Mature bucks will still follow heavier cover between doe areas (creek bottoms, ditches, strips of thick cover). Look for one of these areas with fresh tracks to find the big boys.
