Planning Your Deer Hunt – Five Things to Think About
It’s no secret that every deer hunter with a pulse loves to hunt the rut. The unfortunate truth is that when you’re booking a guided deer hunt, there is always going to be a limited number of spots available during that coveted piece of the season. However, you can have just as much success in the early season and post-rut as well if you take planning your deer hunt seriously.
Increase your odds throughout the coming deer season.
Five things to think about before planning your deer hunt.
1. Don’t leave your rattling antlers at home during the early season. Most bucks, young and old, will lightly spar with each other in the months leading up to the rut. Rather than smashing the rattling antlers
2. Once the rut kicks off, forget about focusing on a big buck’s home turf. In the midst of chasing does, many bucks will leave their base area for days on end, sometimes weeks. Change your focus and follow the does during the peak of the rut. Keep your eyes open for any chasing activity. If you can locate a hot doe, take a note of the area she’s in because chances are there will be a variety of bucks coming into that area to check her out.
3. Look for larger than average scrapes. Bucks of all sizes will share a central scrape in heavily traveled areas, and these are great spots to catch big bucks as they refresh the area with their scent. The prime scrapes will often have a licking branch and will be surrounded by numerous smaller (average) scrapes.
4. Don’t be afraid to use calls, scents, and decoys. The peak of the rut is the best time to break out whatever tricks the hunting industry has to offer. There is about a two week period when using scents
5. Many hunters who’ve gone through the rut unsuccessful will hang up their gear and call it a year. Don’t! About a month after peak rut, the does that didn’t get bred will cycle back into another estrous. It’s a short window and not near as aggressive, but you can still use rut tactics to harvest big bucks during this time. A few weeks after this second estrous cycle, you’ll have another chance. Early doe fawns from last spring will go into a minor estrous cycle, and bucks will show some rutting activity once again. I shot one one of the best bucks of my life in Texas after the rut.
When it comes to planning your next guided deer hunt, don’t rule out booking just because you can’t get in during the rut. The rut is certainly a favorite for most hunters, but early season makes for more pattern-able bucks and late season offers some rutting activity while also allowing hunters to have a better grasp on where bucks are hanging out. It’s not uncommon for an outfitter to take as many big bucks before and after the rut as they do during the rut. Ask your outfitter or consultant what they recommend, and use the tips above throughout the coming season.
Happy Hunting!
Trevor Brittingham
The author with his hard earned Texas monster.
Suggested Gear List for a Whitetail Deer Hunt
CLOTHING AND APPAREL
On late season hunts, temperatures can be very cold, therefore comfortable, warm, insulated clothing is a must. Dress in layers. Wool, Down, Fleece, Thinsulate, Gore-Tex, etc. are all appropriate choices, whichever is preferred. Be sure to take an outer-garment of “White” (Camo/Orange clothing is fine as well) is the preferred color choice with the appropriate amount of orange for the area you’re hunting. Your outer garment can be a simple oversized sweat suit to fit over your other clothing.
❏ Good pair of Boots. On cold weather hunts, in addition heavy insulated boots, you’ll want to also take “Boot Blankets” to keep feet warm when on stand.
❏ Gaiters
❏ Underwear (1 pair per day)
❏ Base Layer Top and Bottom (2 – 3 pairs per week) *we suggest merino wool
❏ Lightweight Camo Jacket
❏ Windstopper Camo Jacket
❏ Midweight Camo Jacket
❏ Lightweight Camo Vest
❏ Lightweight Camo Shirt (3 – 5 per week)
❏ Lightweight Camo Pants (1-2 pair per week)
❏ Midweight Camo Pants (1 pair per week)
❏ Rain Gear
❏ Blaze Orange (rifle hunts) *check Regulations in the state you are hunting
❏ Lightweight Gloves
❏ Midweight Gloves
❏ Camo Cap
❏ Camo Stocking Cap or Camo Beanie
❏ Heavy Shirt
❏ Cold Weather Pants
❏ Insulated Parka (with hood)
❏ Insulated Bibs
❏ Balaclava and/or Neck Gaiter
❏ Wool Gloves
❏ Insulated Waterproof Gloves
❏ Hand Muff
❏ Gaiters
❏ Hand Warmer Packets
❏ Day pack
❏ Binoculars
❏ Anti-fog, lens cleaning pen and cleaning cloths
❏ Knife and sharpener
❏ Buck grunt, rattle bag
RIFLE HUNTS
❏ Rifle (270, 280, 7mm, 30-06, 300 are all perfectly good calibers). “Flip-Open” scope caps are not necessary but nice if it starts snowing.
❏ Shells (at least one box)
❏ Scope (with rain cover)
❏ Rifle Sling
❏ Soft Rifle Case
❏ Hard Rifle Case
❏ Gun Cleaning Kit
BOWHUNTS
❏ Bow *check Regulations in the state you are hunting
❏ Arrows (at least one doz.)
❏ Broadheads
❏ Release
❏ Soft Bow Case
❏ Hard Bow Case
PERSONAL AND MISC. ITEMS
❏ Passport (if needed)
❏ Lip Balm
❏ Towel
❏ Insect Repellent
❏ Sunscreen
❏ Moleskin for blisters
❏ Super Glue
❏ Prescription Medication
❏ WD-40
❏ Duct Tape
❏ Pain Reliever
❏ Extra Glasses and/or Contacts
❏ Quality Polarized Sunglasses
❏ Personal Toiletries
❏ Camera
❏ Video Camera and/or GoPro
❏ Extra Batteries for all Electronics
*This is a sample/generic gear list. For more specific details for the time of year you are traveling to, we recommend checking with your outfitter, consultant or your destination’s local Wildlife Management Agency.
