Outdoorcountry

If you can get it cool somehow, do it. Some will take foam insulation and a window air conditioner to make a make-shift cooler. I will remove the loins right away, leave the skin on, and let hang overnight to drain blood. Leaaving the skin on will protect meat from air and flys. Warm meat is miserable to process but it can be done. Take a couple bags of ice and fill the rib cage, then cover with a tarp.

I'm in

My prediction is that the 3rd week of November will have the most all day movement of bucks as they chase does entering estrus but are not yet ready to breed. My favorite time to hunt is the seeking phase which I think will be the 2nd week of November. I have had good success calling bucks and having them respond during this period.

LOL! That's a funny response and I agree. I never said they wouldn't breed....Only the intensity of the rut is affected. During breeding the buck is with a hot doe all day regardless of ALL variables. But when it's hott, they don't move AS MUCH as they do when it's cold.

I agree with Charlie but I also agree that the "variables" (most significantly being weather) will determine the "intensity" of the rut. It only makes sense that after gorging themselves on beans to pack on fat that the deer are too hot to move if the temp is over 45ish deg. After all, deer have no way of perspiring to cool themselves. I would NOT want to hunt peak breeding day(s) as the bucks are lying with does. I would NOT want to hunt the chasing phase as I can't get the bucks to stop because they are running does and grunting....Do I hunt? ABSOLUTLY!!!...All these phases are fascinating to watch. But if I had to schedule vacation time, I pick cold days during the seeking phase. I find I can call bucks in with a bleat or a grunt more succesfully during this phase.

During peak rut I took my boss hunting and called in 4 bucks in 4 different sits (He missed 4 X!). I've read studies that show long aggressive rattling (3-5 min) motivates larger bucks. That being said, I've scared away smaller bucks with aggressive rattling. The larger bucks I've called in usually try to circle downwind so be ready for that tactic if you try it!

2 Questions: 1) What cam do you use? Those are great looking pics! 2) Can I hunt your property!? Thanks for sharing! Jason