LOCKDOWN STRATEGIES ??
Whitetail Deer
Contributors to this thread:
So after the "chase phase" of the rut is over, and the serious part of the rut occurs, the "breeding phase" and the bucks have got the does in the thickets to breed; what is your strategy for hunting the bucks? It appears that deer movement is all but still, but nature is really in process for the next crop of fawns.
Hunt thick cover entry and exit trails. Gun hunting I had good success hun hunting with all day sits watching CRP like openings amazingly the deer used them for bedding even when hunting pressure was heavy. Often the deer would stand up at some point during the day to feed, readjust, or take a whizz.
I'm not sure if you're asking for next season or what's going on right now, because (at least in Illinois) lock-down is a good month behind us. Right now it's time to get out in the winter food plots. Last night I went out and had a sit where I saw what was likely the most deer I've seen in one hunt all season, I wouldn't be surprised if I there were 50 deer that came into my 2 acres of standing beans and additional acre of brassicas. It was a pretty good mix of all age class of bucks and too many does to keep straight.
That will be my approach for the rest of the season, hunting my winter food plots on the edges of the timber where I can sneak in without bothering anything. The tough part is sneaking out without getting caught. With the seriously cold weather we're having this week I expect the deer will be up feeding early every afternoon. Seems to be the best approach at this stage of the game.
The phases of the rut are real but, it is incorrect to think that it is orchestrated across the herd. For every buck that has a doe "locked down", there are 3 others that don't. And, they are looking. So hunt cover where you find the doe's. That's your best odds. To me it is that simple. Yes, sometimes it is going to be slow. But, that;s the way it is during peak breeding. No way around it. God Bless men
I have stands that are in those "safety" places. It would hard to see much over 30-yards from any of them. They are hunted only during these "lock down", phases and almost totally between 8-AM and 3-PM. Also, they are in place at least a month before our season opens and I never go near them.
Post rut leaves me really looking hard for fresh hardwood rubs that coincide with perpendicular travel .Mature bucks are looking for does that got missed or fawns coming in but take time out to reestablish dominance with the other bucks.If a food source is available to help bring a doe by that's all th.e better
.Intrarut lockdown while statistically will play a factor in the amount of movement I never allow it change anything I do.Who knows what buck is searching at the moment?
CONFIDENCE is key in post rut imo...getting down early is tempting with the lack of activity and does show up in wads.
Depending on what part of Ms the OP is from, his rut may be in full swing.
JLeMieux,
Great point, I'm hunting NE MS and the rut is in "hard core breed stage." Food is not a concern at this point of the game. Sex is the focal point and bucks are bedded with does and those bucks not bedded and not showing themselves during hours of light. I'm simply seeking some input on suggestions on how to hunt during this phase/activity time of the rut. I'm trying to do internet brainstorming. Hopefully to rethink and get out my hunting patterns and doldrums. Tks
Mississippi rut where Greg hunts is about like our STexas rut. While ours is over in ETexas, the STexas rut is cranked.
I think WV's post is spot on. Sometimes it's just a matter of putting in your time. Even during the "lockdown", there will always be bucks cruising. This is the only time I will do a little bind calling or rattling.
Greg,I misread your post.In the peak of the rut where most lockdown occurs I like edges of doe bedding cover and hunt this cover as long as the wind .stays good.Sorry for the post rut answer
I have always had great luck hunting travel corridors.
The buck I shot this year was on Nov 15th which is peak breeding for the Midwest. Things were very slow for me from the nov 7th till the 15th. Definetly had plenty of bucks locked down.
If you grind it out in a good area your patience will be rewarded.
Keep in mind a buck locked down today won’t be tomorrow or the next day and he will be on the prowl again.
Food, preferably one with lots of does and relatively secluded.
Appreciate the everyones input, guess Im just looking for something magical to happen that I have not tried before i.e."Old dog wanting to learn new trick".
I worked a proven doe zone yesterday and today till my Call call and grunt tube became hoarse ! Yesterday the squirrels moved till the end of legal shooting time which I found was unusual. Today they barely moved and it was up in the morning before they moved and they moved so slow then. I thought they may have taken drunk last night and were hung over !!
I think yesterday and today was as Dr. John would say-"musta been at the wrong place at the wrong time!"
Just gonna have to bide time. Seeing the photo of Cheryl's deer this morning on BS just fired me up to be ready.
Genesis, I think my rut time and your rut time is about the same- yours may be a few days before me.
Thanks everyone
Lockdown is a buck with a doe in the middle of the day on most remote piece of cover that will barely hide a rabbit.