Pre-rut?

[Buck$hot]

Anyone think this opening weekend will be the beginning of the pre-rut?  If so what type of scent you think will kill em?  Please post what you think is the winning combination(as far as scents/cover scents) for opening weekend along with where you hunt.  Thanks and good luck this weekend

[cbx46]

i dont use alot of scent and def wont use any this weekend i wait for the full blown seek and chase

[Bleitten04]

According to the rut map on versus .com ny is in the pre rut now.  I will use cover scent that will probably be all for a couple days.  Might try some doe estrous on monday or tues.  Ive never had any luck with doe scents though. 

[Fairgame]

With pictures already posted on the sight it seems to me it has already started(bucks sparring). I'm thinking of actually trying some rattling this year.  Not sure how intense it should be since I have never done it.

[burmjohn]

I'd say a light rattle couldn't hurt. 

[WNYBuckHunter]

I wont be using scents yet, maybe just a few grunts. Fawn bleats can work wonders this time of the season.

[UpStateRedNeck]

I notice on nobodies cams there are does & bucks in the same pictures yet, but they are scraping!  Ones I just pulled on Monday shows necks puffed up a little like they been sparring a bit.

[CNYlungbuster]

Just checked mine yesterday had videos of bucks and does together no big boys only small spikes and crotch horns but they were together in my foodplot which is only 1/4 acre.  So they were in rather close together.  Got two different two and a half year olds, but when they were there, there were no does to "BE SEEN" in the camera.  Though some were there shortly before and shortly after both bucks. 

CNY 

[Geno C]

i might use some code red estrus and do a few blind calls with the can.

as far as pre rut out here on the island, i havnt heard TOMUCH pre rutting activity going on, id say if this cold weather sticks it might heatup anyday with that. as far as upstate, if that cooler weather is amongst up there, might be in that pre rut window now...

[cbx46]

I think it will def. be atleast the very end of Oct. at the earliest before you start seeing them really hounding the does in the SZ.  I've never seen it before the 1st week in Nov..

[Paulie]

now you guys are getting me going....maybe now i might tickle the horms a little and toy around with a grunt tub....supposedly we have an absolute hog running around the area....maybe, just maybe it mught interest him???

[Chevy]

My buck archery target in my back yard already had its butt kicked twice. I had to take the antlers off it. I would say we are in the early stages of the rut.

[Bleitten04]

thats sweet!!!! def in the pre rut if there comin in your back yard for a target!!!!

[hang fyre]

thats cool my buck target got wiped out last year!  I wont use any scents until last week of oct. early nov.  a couple of years ago I used estrous too early and spooked the does away.  I'd rather wait longer maybe just use straight doe pee.

[crappyice]

My buck archery target in my back yard already had its butt kicked twice. I had to take the antlers off it. I would say we are in the early stages of the rut.

Does that ever prompt you to use decoys? Anyone out there use decoys? where? Field edges only? When?

[Chevy]

I considered trying a decoy this year but all the feedback I got from people who tried this strategy was negative. There are also alot of doe in the area so I expect they would bust my set up first. I'll stick to grunting, rattling, and good stand set up locations.

[Paulie]

if your target already got nailed twice, just put that out with you......2 in on (target/decoy)

[jr.deerslayer]

I believe they are in the pre rut and have been for a couple of weeks. I have one trail cam pic where a small buck is chasing and smelling a doe. I have also noticed less buck activity on my cam making me believe they have stopped their normal habits and have started chasing does. Im located in southern zone where bow opens tomorrow.