SE Ohio - Best week for mature bucks? Time of day?

[johndeere506]

I'm going back to my uncles 80 acres to hunt for a few days in SE Ohio. What dates do you guys like for rut activity for 3.5 and older bucks? Also, what time of day do you see most? Morning or evenings better?

There are a couple terrain features that look perfect for a West or south based winds so I plan on hunting one or two days all day sits. Just looking for the most likely days for big bucks not just activity in general.

I will likely pick a few one day hunts. Drive down at 1am, hunt all day, drive home. I can do this 2-3 times before gun opens so Im looking for the best dates to finally experience the hill country rut.

Im sure I could make some good guesses but want to see what the Ohio guys prefer. Thanks

[backstraps]

To see more mature bucks on their feet in the areas of SE Ohio I hunt is usually the juvi week

Third week of Nov is when I typically see the older bucks up

[Deerslayer31]

After over 10 years of going out to se ohio we think the best time is right around November 10-20 we are going out on November 8th this year. Our biggest bucks have been in this window.

[flinginairos]

After over 10 years of going out to se ohio we think the best time is right around November 10-20 we are going out on November 8th this year. Our biggest bucks have been in this window.

Agreed.

[brancher147]

Now until Halloween can also be very good with the right conditions. More for scrape/rub hunting than rut hunting, but I have seen mature bucks acting completely stupid these days.

The first week of November the archery army will be out in force.

[Jdw]

The week before thanksgiving. All day.

[comeback_kid]

What is the border for what is considered SE Ohio as opposed to other regions of the state? Specifically to the west and , North/Northeast?

[SamPotter]

I hunted Hocking County for 3-4 years. It seemed like the 2nd and 3rd week of November were best, which always seemed a week behind where I used to live in NY.

[seazofcheeze]

After over 10 years of going out to se ohio we think the best time is right around November 10-20 we are going out on November 8th this year. Our biggest bucks have been in this window.

Agreed.

x3

[johndeere506]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Im going to make a few one day trips and hunt all day during the week of the 12th, and maybe one more day the following week.

What are the best hours to be sitting during that week? Im probably hunting cruising bucks especially on the land Ill be on in hill country, so Im guessing 9am to 1pm would be the best?

Ive never hunted hill country during the rut so trying to nail down when I NEED to be in the tree the most.

[Deerslayer31]

I have killed most of my bucks in ohio mid day but the way I look at it is the more time you spend in a tree the better your odds but sometimes I switch trees during the same day my one buddy switched trees 4 times last year the same day good luck