It’s On!

by Thomas on December 5, 2011

Midwest Iowa Outdoors® & Outside Iowa®

With Thomas Allen

(October 31st, 2011)

More big Iowa bucks eat a big fat dirt-nap sammich during the first week of November than any other week of the year.  Even if the weather is warmer than the seasonal averages, the big boys are usually on their feet, but if a cold front hits during that time, the daytime rutting activity can truly be something to behold.  However, this is not to say the following week can be just as good, but if you have the time now, get in the treestand.

Next week we will talk about how to beat the lock-down period, but this week is meant to help you identify what is actually taking place in the whitetail world.  The first week of November will rarely see the peak of rutting activity, but there will be an immense amount of chasing, and the bucks are very responsive to calling and rattling.  This happens because there are a few does that are coming into estrous a bit early.  Because it’s just a few does coming in early, the competition is fierce and fights break out often.

Calling is a tremendous asset this time of year and if you are not grunting or rattling at full volume, you might not be seeing as many deer as you could be.  I believe in creating an audio image through your calling creating a scenario that is absolutely 100% believable to a distant buck.  The calling creates the image in his mind that a few bucks are courting a hot doe and a fight erupts, that is his signal to come in and check things out.  Hopefully, it ends after a crimson arrow is stuck in the dirt.

Start things out with a few doe bleats followed by a couple series of tending grunts.  Intensify the grunting and maybe throw in a growl/roar from a second grunt tube to signify an additional buck showing up.  Drop the bleating out of the sequence completely and throw in a few more growls or roars, then stop the grunting with a snort-wheeze or two.  Count to five and crash the horns together for 15-30 seconds.  Follow up the rattling sequence with another snort-wheeze and close it out with more tending grunts mixed with a few doe bleats.

Hopefully, a rut-crazed buck came charging into the scene interrupted the ‘audio image’ you were creating.  If not, rinse and repeat about once every hour, especially during the primetime periods before dark or after dawn.  If you are hunting a field edge, a decoy could be a great addition to your strategy.  Make sure it’s as scent free as possible and have it facing you at about 25 yards.  This will position the challenging buck broadside in between you and the decoy for an easy 15-yard shot, plus his attention will be focused on the decoy allowing you to get into position to make the shot.

The bucks are intensely chasing does and constantly checking every one they encounter to see who’s hot and who’s not.  The daytime movement is increasing in regularity; even midday movement can be tremendous this time of year.  The scrapes will continue to be active, but expect to see them become less and less prominent as the peak of the rut gets closer.  Continue to check your trail cameras, as they will help you gauge the daytime movement.  If you are seeing a mature buck out cruising during the middle of the day, it is time to schedule an all day sit.  I killed my buck last year on November 11th at 1:53 PM.  They do move all day long during this time of year, you can capitalize by being there waiting for him to wander by!

Good luck and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments.

Live it Up!

(Thomas resides with his wife and two children in Guthrie Center, Iowa.  He is a professional outdoor writer, photographer, videographer, and outdoor talk radio show host; for more information visit www.outdoorpursuitsradio.com.  If you have questions or comments feel free to email Thomas at tha481@gmail.com)

Tagged as: iowa deer hunting, iowa whitetail deer, Midwest Iowa Outdoors, Outside Iowa, Thomas Allen

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