This time of year, in the Northwoods you will hear many conversations in local establishments about deer hunting because bucks are in the mood for love and gun season started (November 23rd to December 1st). I have heard from more than one hunter saying the bucks here in the Northern Forest zone are more nocturnal this season during rut than passed years. Those who visit this site know I do not hunt, but I do know accomplished hunter and when I hear them talking about hunting deer, I find it interesting and ask questions to get any information that I could pass on that might help novice hunters bag their first deer.

I do know at this time of year; bucks throw caution to the wind and their daily movements are definitely altered because of their high testosterone levels. At this time, bucks have a surge in hormones and does are fertile (in heat) and receptive to mate. This is also the time of year when bucks rub their antlers against trees depositing scent to mark their territory. Bucks will also start to scrape (pawing the ground) and will usually urinate over the scrape to again claim their territory and the show of dominance over other bucks. What I do not know, is why hunters are not seeing many bucks during the day.

I was told there are not as many bucks as there used to be, but during rut bucks have one thing on their minds and are careless about their surroundings and because of this, they should be seen more often during the day.  But the bucks they are seeing especially here in the Northern Forest zone are moving more in the early dawn and near dusk hours and the hunters I have talked to do not know why these bucks are more active at these times. They did suggest it could be weather (it has been above normal), It could be mature bucks notice more activity in the woods and/or noises they normally don’t hear.

As far as lower deer numbers in recent years, I do know central farm and central forest zones have been much better along with the southern zones for producing a higher harvest number than the northern zone. Could it be the hunting landscape has something to do with a buck’s movement? I was told, yes it does. Depending on the area you hunt, deer movement changes. A buck’s movement can be a few miles in wooded areas (northern forest zone) and over 10 miles in agriculture (central & southern farm zones). This shows planting food plots would truly help in any location.

As for locating deer during rut, I was told deer will find a food source and choose the best and safest way to travel (deer paths) for different food opportunities and will continue using these same routes daily. So, being deer paths are easily seen, look for rub marks on trees and scrapes in the area and this location could be your best spot to set up for bagging a nice buck. Remember, even though mating is on a buck’s mind, they need to eat too.

Not being a hunter, I’m sure there are thing I didn’t cover or might have missed, but hopefully this post is somewhat helpful and if anyone would like to add to this, please do. Also, if you harvest a nice buck, send me a picture and I will post it.