by Mark Brazel

Created on: October 23, 2009

The best time to hunt deer is without a doubt during the rutting or mating season. Big bucks throw caution to the wind during the rut allowing their impulsive need to breed to take over. This falls well into the hands of deer hunters. Having hunted whitetail deer for over twenty-five years, I can say with great confidence that I have seen and taken more deer during the rut than at any other time of the year. Most states schedule deer seasons to coincide with the rut, knowing deer are more active thus making it a prime time to thin the herd.

So what exactly is the rut? The rut can be broken down to a very basic concept of three stages; pre-rut, peak-rut, and post-rut. The pre-rut usually starts in mid to late October in most mid-west states, but it does vary when traveling father north or farther south. I am speaking from an Illinois hunter's point of view and I find these three stages a little easier to pinpoint than some of the southern states. Regardless, if you do your research and spend quality time scouting, you will be able to determine at least one of the rutting stages and increase your chances for success. It is a scientific fact that the rut is triggered by a shortening of the length of daylight hours in each day.

The pre-rut is when bucks are preparing for the upcoming mating season. During this time they will began to make "rubs" by rubbing their antlers on trees or bushes. Bucks will also begin to make scrapes on the ground. These are both signs of a buck marking his territory. If you can locate fresh signs of scrapes and rubs, you can be sure a buck is in the area. Look for heavily traveled deer trails and you will find these signs. Scrapes are usually found under low hanging trees. Look for limbs to be chewed or broken from the deers antlers thrashing as he makes his mark. The scent left by a buck after he urinates in a scrape is a strong, powerful odor and can easily be detected by a hunter. Bucks also become very active during the pre-rut stage seeking out does coming that are coming into heat, or estrous. Using scents during the pre-rut is very effective as bucks are on the prowl and will investigate imitation odors of a doe in estrous. Calling and rattling can also be very effective.

The peak-rut is the time when does are ready to mate. During this time a doe will remain in estrous for approximately three days. If she does not mate, she can come into estrous up to seven more times. Here in Illinois, and most central and northern states,

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