Fellow beasts, I am thinking of heading out of state to hunt OH. I've read a lot of stories about the tail end of the rut being the best time to catch big bucks crusing in daylight. Maybe not the same quantity of bucks as pre rut but better quality. Michigan's gun season runs NOV 15-NOV 30, so the hunting pressure usually over rides this pattern, so I have no experience. My question is, what would be the best time for a hunt during the end of the rut? I am thinking NOV 19th or 20th through NOV 29. Would this be good timing, or too early? Too late? I'd like to hear your experiences in similar situations.
Also, if anyone with experience hunting OH public wants to PM with public areas that have produced I'd really appreciate that. Not looking for specific spots, just WMAs that might hold some good deer. Thanks!
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Post Rut Question
- seazofcheeze
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- seazofcheeze
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- Zona
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Re: Post Rut Question
Can't answer your question cheese, but I am hoping to do the same thing next year. I have been cyber scouting the Salt fork state park area just to get my feet wet. Went there as a kid and saw a few nice ones, but never hunted it.
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- headgear
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Re: Post Rut Question
Yep I'm no help either but it sounds interesting, I keep hearing about this post lock down flurry of activity but haven't witnessed it yet. Any info would be great.
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Re: Post Rut Question
I would say the tail end of Nov 25-30th. I have not hunted Michigan or Ohio, but have always believed the biggest bucks show up late in the rut. Seems of stories every year of giants being spotted in daylight around Thanksgiving. For me (MN) I would take the first week in Dec every year for post rut activity. I have hunted WY public land and out there the story is the same. The biggest bucks get moving late in Nov so the later the better. So to answer your question Yes later is better. Why is this? I think it is because the bigger older deer have learned and remember when particular does come into estrous. Also the Colder weather and snow get the bigger ones on their feet and moving. Lots of big deer are taken early, just look on this site, but I think the true Monarchs are seen late in the rut and agree with your thinking.
Another point I'll bring up is how hard the late/post rut is to hunt. As I get more experience I am thinking the late season is one of the best times to kill a giant and forget about all the hoopla that says it cannot be done late in the season...
Another point I'll bring up is how hard the late/post rut is to hunt. As I get more experience I am thinking the late season is one of the best times to kill a giant and forget about all the hoopla that says it cannot be done late in the season...
- headgear
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Re: Post Rut Question
Good info Rubline. The way I have understood it is that after lockdown most of the does will be bread and their is a few days when the bucks are out and about looking hard and fast for any stragglers. In my mind this kind of makes sense but I have just never seen it myself, just the stories.
- backstraps
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Re: Post Rut Question
Also a good time to watch yearling does come into their first cycle.
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