2nd Rut

How does the 2nd rut compare to the first in terms of activity?

I always hear mixed stories that the big bruises are too warn out from the first... and some say it's better because the weather is colder and days are shorter?

It's sometimes much better than the first. More competition as less does are in heat. I have had bucks come from 300 yards on a string on multiple occasions.

Bucks on the properties I hunt just started to rut hard then the bad weather rolled in then they seemed to stop. I'm hoping this means a strong 2nd rut


Dan

The best rut action i have seen was on dec 27th, i'm not sure if it was just the last doe in the area to be in season and a bunch of bucks went nuts. I think it just depends on if you have does that have not been bred yet in your area.

I've seen the same thing, it was pretty wild a couple weeks ago and the bad weather last week slowed things down... hopefully this cooler clear weather will ramp things up again

My dad is a cop in Milton and had to go to 2 deer collisions in the last 2 days, both big bucks. They're moving.

So the magic question... anyone want to predict the timing of the 2nd rut?

I know quite a few gangs that seem to get more big bucks during the muzzleloader hunt which starts next week.


Always seems to be bucks that they never have seen or had pictures before....They must really be cruising looking for the last does that come into estrous late.

2nd rut is just early born fawns coming into esterus or does that weren't bred the first time around. Way less intense.

I agree that the first rut is where it is at. I hunt all season as we get extra tags in my WMU's and also party hunt, so we spread out the tags. I think the second and third week of November rule. The last week of October is also good, but they are only seeking out the does then and are still cautious. I shot 3 mature bucks this shotgun season (two 9's and a tall eight), within 36 hours. All were working scrape lines, trashing trees. Have not seen a buck on a scrape line or rubbing in 2 weeks and have been in the same areas. Most of the guys I know who have success in the late hunts are gangs that push and force the deer out of their hiding spots. But good luck, as there are still many good deer left. We saw about 20 in one field tonight. No monsters, but some quality 2 1/2 year old basket 8 pointers, a dandy 6 with no brows and a one-horned beast who would likely have made me shat if he had both sides. But we did not get a good look at him as he passed thru quickly.

The time that a HUNTER can be in the woods, may or may not coincide with the time that deer are more active due to rut or changes in the local weather.
Aside from personal time, the hunting regulations dictate the TIME that we are allowed to be in the woods.
So many variables, really!

This coming week I am doing the controlled hunt in 78B.
I can be out every morning Monday to Friday. :)
I cannot be out every evening but plan to go as many times as possible. :tongue:

My daughter needs a ride home from school every afternoon but the weather will be nice mid-week so she can walk one or two days I guess! :ashamed:
Did I say the weather will be NICE? Yes I did. So what do we do about this? Can't change the time of the controlled hunt. It is what it is. Although for me, I can continue with archery equipment until the end.

There are almost no deer where I hunt this year, so I am really hoping that they would appear by magic this week. Had to leave a note for a trespasser two days ago. An old friend has obtained a controlled hunt validation for himself and his two sons this year and wants to come hunt in my area as well, so I will take him and possibly his sons at some point as well.

So, with all these variables, I am not sure what to think when it comes to the possibility of a "2nd rut" happening. We all have our own set of variables and success - in my opinion - always depends on a bit of luck as well. ;)