This is truly the best advice there is. November is time. Hunt as much as you possibly can in November. While there is a million things that may affect deer "movement"... it still doesnt change the fact of when the rut will occur. Rain or shine does will go into estrous without any doubt in my mind. Lunar data, temperature, wind, air pressure, precipitation, human pressure, food sources, all affect when and if deer move during daylight hours but the rut occurs the same time every year. I have always liked the first two full weeks of November. I believe that they seem to be "primetime" in 8A and that the third week of November seems to be the true beginning of the lockdown phase here. The whitetail rut is not a sprint but its a marathon. The rut should also not be judged by the actions of 1.5 year old bucks but rather by the daytime sightings of mature bucks (3.5 or older). They dont move during daylight (outside of dawn and dusk) until things are happening.
Heres a good read... http://www.moonguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Movement-with-the-Moon-White-tailed-Deer-Activity-and-Solunar-Events-2016-03-01-1.pdf?mc_cid=7230a92356&mc_eid=47ac238ef4
Well since I have been home from vacation, Ive been in a tree. Prime time. Two weeks straight, am and pm. Rain or shine. But the wind has finally sidelined me. 25 mph winds... Im taking the day off today!!! Ill be back at it tomorrow with my kid in tow.
This morning was easily one of the best mornings I have ever had in the deer woods. It started with a deer busting me getting into my stand in the dark (i was in before 6). Deer blew for at least 2 minutes straight. I figured my day way over but I was mistaken. Over 30 deer sightings w/ 8-10 different bucks. The woods was filled with noises of grunting, chasing, and harassing. Every doe and doe fawn around was harassed by cruising bucks. I started to feel bad for the does. one shooter (too dark to really tell but looked outside the ears), 2.5 year old 6 pt, and the rest were every antler configuration you could imagine on a 1.5 year old.
Last hour has been crazy. 5 small bucks grunting and chasing everything that moves. Feeling sorry for these does today. They are cutting the corn in field and the combine seems to be attracting them.
Perfect conditions this morning and the deer are on their feet. Does, fawns, and three bucks before 7 am. Got a glimpse of a shooter in the dark. Couldn't tell much except for he looked outside the ears.
Back in the same stand that I hunted last night and had the encounter with a big 8. I hunted here this morning also in the wind and rain and saw him again. Scent checking does in the field. I've seen four other bucks here too but all of them have been first year racks. Just had one come through ten minutes ago.
I think I need deer with names... or maybe they have names but i just don't know what they are. Hmmmmmmm... the big 8 from last night's sit should be named lucky. Lucky I blew that chance!
Great night in the freshly cut corn. Blew a chance at a stud 8pt. He was scent checking and bumping does in the field. Gave him one good grunt and he came right to me. Unfortunately it was to my right side and downwind side. Never got a chance to get a shot off and he was 22 yards!!! He slowly made his way off the field. And ten minutes later does began to pour in to the field. He returns to the field and passes my stand at 50 yards. He scent checks the two nearest does (both doe fawns) and then enjoys eating corn for the next 25 minutes 50-65 yards from me.
Covered up in deer since I got in here this morning. Had a buck cone through in the dark and bump the does near me. Grunting up a storm. Came all the way in grunting and and walked away grunting. Obnoxious. Had a young 4 pt come in and scent checked every ounce of acreage. Took him 20 minutes and hes passed by me three times so far.