What are the keys to rut setups?
- Divergent
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What are the keys to rut setups?
My searches haven't yielded as many results as I had hoped. If you were to hit the top 3-5 key factors when looking at a map or on foot for the pre-rut and rut stand locations...what would they be in order from most critical to least critical? I'm sure there are a number of links if anyone has any. Thanks
I.e.
1 A long ridge for cruising
2 downwind trail from doe bedding
3 scrape line near thick cover
4 etc...
5 etc...
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I.e.
1 A long ridge for cruising
2 downwind trail from doe bedding
3 scrape line near thick cover
4 etc...
5 etc...
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
Topography and doe bedding for me
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
1. Water
2. Food
3. Thick Cover/Bedding
4. Relation to other properties
5. Topography
The first 3 are key. 4 and 5 gauge trophy potential.
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2. Food
3. Thick Cover/Bedding
4. Relation to other properties
5. Topography
The first 3 are key. 4 and 5 gauge trophy potential.
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
I understand what topography means.......but boy is it hard for me to understand how to apply it to deer hunting. ....I guess I look at a map and I see a saddle or a ridge or a bench...but applying this information really confuses me.
- DaveT1963
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
1. Preseason scouting
2. Understanding what is happening on a daily basis. I see SO MUCH MISINFORMATION on internet. Lots of web based experts and TV experts that really don't have a clue
3. DOES, DOES, DOES
4. Don't over hunt a stand/location
5. Entrance and exit
6. Funnels and natural deer movement
7. Adapting to changing conditions
Learn these and where to set up during the rut will be clear
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2. Understanding what is happening on a daily basis. I see SO MUCH MISINFORMATION on internet. Lots of web based experts and TV experts that really don't have a clue
3. DOES, DOES, DOES
4. Don't over hunt a stand/location
5. Entrance and exit
6. Funnels and natural deer movement
7. Adapting to changing conditions
Learn these and where to set up during the rut will be clear
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
Get somewhere around where the does are traveling. Normally would be in trail or trails that lead from bedding to their current food source in the afternoon or between food source and bedding for mornings. Also if you can find areas that they just hang out in a lot...maybe an oak flat...for me these areas typically show as having been heavily browsed yet still some browse remaining.
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- Divergent
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
Thanks guys for the answers...I think I should've said I'm looking for a lil more detail if you've got it. My examples might not have been the best at getting my point across. I know topography, food, pressure, cover, water and scent control are needed to harvest deer, but I'm looking maybe for something that you feel you do differently. It might be something that you feel gives you the edge over other hunters when the rut is in full force. I heard Dan say that bucks like the extra long ridges to cruise.
Bass- you've been blowing up the "live on the stand" thread with sightings...what made you choose those particular trees?
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Bass- you've been blowing up the "live on the stand" thread with sightings...what made you choose those particular trees?
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
I think a lot of guys stumble on hunting "trails"... mature bucks don't use those trails. They use topography, thermals, parallel trails, prevailing winds to scent check those trails. Once u realize this... your buck success soars
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- Stanley
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
I like doe areas to me this is the most critical key during the peak rut. If you think about it the bucks are on their feet. What are the bucks doing on their feet? Looking for does. I could go into many other key steps but the does are most critical piece of the equation during the peak rut.
You can fool some of the bucks, all of the time, and fool all of the bucks, some of the time, however you certainly can't fool all of the bucks, all of the time.
- Stanley
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
Bucky wrote:I think a lot of guys stumble on hunting "trails"... mature bucks don't use those trails. They use topography, thermals, parallel trails, prevailing winds to scent check those trails. Once u realize this... your buck success soars
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This is so true. I can't remember killing a buck on an established game trail I do not hunt them.
You can fool some of the bucks, all of the time, and fool all of the bucks, some of the time, however you certainly can't fool all of the bucks, all of the time.
- justin84
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
Bucky wrote:I think a lot of guys stumble on hunting "trails"... mature bucks don't use those trails. They use topography, thermals, parallel trails, prevailing winds to scent check those trails. Once u realize this... your buck success soars
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the proverbial light bulb just turned on this is great, simple advice
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
I can't give you an exact key of why I picked my trees as every area is unique. This time of year it starts with a good bedding area. Then it is as simple as determining how a buck moves through the area.
If there is one thing I would emphasize more than anything else it is access. Both timing and how you do it. The cleaner the access the better. Sometimes this means getting in extra early. Sometimes it means getting in after light. Sometimes its half early and the final approach once the thermals rise. Oftentimes the access is physically demanding. The easy way isn't always the best way, especially on public land. If clean access is impossible, how do you minimize the collateral damage? Do you need wait for car doors to start slamming in the parking areas before pushing through an area?
Just like Bucky's post there is no recipe for sure success. You need to be analytical. There are exceptions to every rule of thumb. Best way to learn is to give it some good thought, observe, analyze, and adjust. You'll still make mistakes, but that is 90% of the fun.
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If there is one thing I would emphasize more than anything else it is access. Both timing and how you do it. The cleaner the access the better. Sometimes this means getting in extra early. Sometimes it means getting in after light. Sometimes its half early and the final approach once the thermals rise. Oftentimes the access is physically demanding. The easy way isn't always the best way, especially on public land. If clean access is impossible, how do you minimize the collateral damage? Do you need wait for car doors to start slamming in the parking areas before pushing through an area?
Just like Bucky's post there is no recipe for sure success. You need to be analytical. There are exceptions to every rule of thumb. Best way to learn is to give it some good thought, observe, analyze, and adjust. You'll still make mistakes, but that is 90% of the fun.
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
Does, does, does. Downwind of bedding, especially if downwind side is also the side does enter the bedding. Hunting "light" trails that travel perpendicular to doe trails (bedding to food). Topography... I only hunt low land, but a 1-2' rise can be great bedding. I would assume hunting terrain in the hills could bring some big bucks into your lap.but most importantly DOES, be by does.
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
Bucky wrote:I think a lot of guys stumble on hunting "trails"... mature bucks don't use those trails. They use topography, thermals, parallel trails, prevailing winds to scent check those trails. Once u realize this... your buck success soars
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worth repeating, learned that the hard way
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Re: What are the keys to rut setups?
justin84 wrote:Bucky wrote:I think a lot of guys stumble on hunting "trails"... mature bucks don't use those trails. They use topography, thermals, parallel trails, prevailing winds to scent check those trails. Once u realize this... your buck success soars
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the proverbial light bulb just turned on this is great, simple advice
Great advice! Never really gave this point a thought. I don't hunt trails much either but do keep note of them. I also never catch a big buck using one either so good point!
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