No matter where you hunt whitetails, one of the most sought-after times to hunt is during the rut. This is the peak of the breeding period for whitetail deer. The rut has many benefits, making it one of the most exciting times for hunters to hit the woods. This article will dig into the many aspects of hunting during the rut, including increased deer activity, opportunities for harvesting larger bucks, and even the challenges that add depth to the hunting experience. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of booking a deer hunt during the rut in Ohio is crucial in making the right choice that best suits you.
Enhanced Deer Activity: A Hunter’s Advantage:
One of the most prominent benefits of hunting during the rut is the noticeable increase in deer activity. During this part of the season, bucks abandon their usually cautious nature in pursuit of does, becoming more visible and predictable. This shift in behavior is crucial for hunters, as it elevates the chances of the hunter’s success on trophy whitetails. The buck’s preoccupation with does means they are less attentive to potential threats, offering hunters a unique window of opportunity. Not only does this phase of the season bring an overall increase in activity, but it also tends to give hunters the best chance at catching those “unattainable” nocturnal giants on their feet. Although you can kill big trophy bucks anytime during the season, the rut is the time that just might give you a chance at that monarch that you have always dreamed of.
We hunters know the value of this period. We understand that the rut drives deer to move around more, often getting the biggest bucks on their feet, even during midday. While the predictability of deer patterns are out the window, it does make for a more action-packed hunt. The increased deer movement will often bring new bucks into your area you have never seen. Regardless of where you hunt, the exciting part about a rut hunt is that anything can happen!
The Pursuit of Trophy Bucks: A Rewarding Challenge
The rut season is synonymous with the pursuit of trophy bucks. During this time, even the most elusive and completely nocturnal bucks come out of hiding in search of hot does. Their guard is down, driven by the overwhelming urge to mate, providing hunters with a rare opportunity to target the largest and most desirable trophy bucks in the area.
The competition among bucks during the rut leads to displays of dominance, such as antler clashing and aggressive posture. This behavior not only offers hunters a spectacular viewing experience but also aids in identifying the dominant bucks in the area. Successfully harvesting a trophy buck during the rut is a testament to a hunter’s skill and patience.
The Thrill of the Hunt: Adding Depth to the Hunting Experience
Hunting during the rut is unparalleled in terms of the thrill it offers. The increased visibility and activity of bucks, coupled with the challenge of tracking and outsmarting a trophy buck in more unconventional situations, infuses a sense of adventure into the hunt. The rut amplifies the sensory experiences of hunting, with the sounds of grunting bucks, the sight of sparring antlers, as well as the relentless chase.
This period requires hunters to employ a more dynamic approach, adapting their strategies to the unfolding scenarios in the wild. Hunting during the rut is a test of skill, patience, and endurance. The unpredictable nature of hunting during the rut demands a high level of engagement and presence, making every moment in the field exciting and rewarding.
The Other Side of the Coin: The rut hunt isn’t the answer for everyone.
Many hunters would without hesitation, book the rut because they think it’s the best. However, it is not as simple as that, and it is not always the case. Choosing the right time for your outfitted Ohio deer hunt really depends on your goals, abilities, patience level, and schedule. Why do we mention Ohio in regards to picking hunting seasons you say? Because when you hunt a state that allows baiting, like Ohio, it changes the game a bit. In other states like Illinois or Missouri, it can be challenging in the early season, for example, because there is abundant food and baiting deer is not legal. This makes hunting in those non-bait states a bit harder sometimes. Early season in those states, you will be forced to hunt large food sources, which may or may not give you an opportunity at the trophy buck you’re after. However, in bait-legal states like Ohio, the early and late season becomes much more valuable because we are able to lure and get trophy bucks to regularly hit our baits to put our hunters in a position for a good shot. Generally speaking, there are states that I would recommend only hunting during the pre-rut/rut period. But if you’re hunting in a bait state like Ohio, you have many more options in terms of quality deer hunting times, which makes hunting here so desirable.
Here are four reasons you might consider booking outside of the rut in Ohio.
1. Schedule:
First, you might not book a hunt during the rut because your work or calendar does not allow you to hunt during the rut. Maybe the outfitter is already booked. Obviously, you would need to pick a different time of the season to hunt. Before you move on to another hunting outfitter who has that week available, consider these 4 reasons why you might consider hunting outside of the rut. Also, don’t worry! We have great success (sometimes better) during other times of the deer season here in Ohio.
2. Goals:
If you are the guy who would be happy pursuing a more killable 135 to 150-inch deer, for example, you may consider booking a hunt in the early or late seasons. Many hunters would rather target a trophy buck in a more relaxed state and feeding pattern. Alternatively, if you hunt the rut, there is no guarantee you will see the biggest buck in the woods. However, even if the monarch appears, he may be running full speed chasing a doe past your stand. While you might not see the biggest king in the woods, hunting early or late seasons gives the advantage of a more relaxed patterned buck.
Test of Patience:
While it is generally more action-packed, the rut can be unpredictable. What you saw that buck do yesterday may not be what he is doing today. Hunting the rut means you may have to wait on that buck and wait for a good shot opportunity. On the other hand, during the non-rut times, the target buck can sometimes be more regular at specific times.
Hunter’s Ability and Experience:
The rut can be a tempting time to book your Ohio deer hunt but remember that your hunting ability and experience are other things to consider when booking a paid hunt. Early and late seasons can many times present a “give me” shot at a more relaxed buck coming to the bait pile to feed. On the other hand, the rut hunts can bring more unpredictable situations. Sometimes, hunters see an approaching buck and expect him to stop and feed on the bait pile, but in reality, he may just cruise through by the bait, trying to pick up the scent of a hot doe. They may also make an appearance cruising through at an unknown yardage, so it’s important to range and know the surrounding area yardages and be ready to take a shot when you get them to stop in an opening given. You can’t wait for the trophy buck to hit the corn pile during the rut because, many times, it’s not their intention during this time. There is a tense atmosphere in the woods during the rut, and your buck could dart off at any moment for a doe he spots. If you’re not as much into last-minute decision-making, unsure of judging a buck’s score, or don’t have a lot of experience in unconventional situations with bucks chasing does around your tree stand, you may consider the more relaxed times of the season.
Another significant aspect to consider regarding whether hunting the rut on a guided hunt is a good fit for you. That is, how long are you willing to sit each day? Are you the type of hunter that is willing to sit dark until dark when needed? Or would you rather hunt a more laid-back hunt where you come in for lunch, or are you even okay with just hunting in the evenings? Simply put hunters that only want to hunt a few hours in the morning or evening should be hunting non-rut times. If you want to hunt the rut yet don’t want to do all or at least some all-day sits when it counts, then we may be limited to specific locations where you can get in and out easily, which may not be where we really want to put you. The reason for this is that it can effect your hunt if you are walking in and out of a spot where the deer are moving all day. This isn’t good for your hunt, nor is it good for people that hunt later in the season. If you’re looking for a more relaxed hunt or even a hunt where you don’t have to get up in the morning that brings great success, then we highly suggest an early or late-season over the rut hut. During these times, great bucks are patterned, yet we typically only hunt evenings, so we don’t blow them out or push them out walking in the dark in the am.
Obviously, none of these limitations should stop you from hunting the rut at home. However, when you’re spending money on a guided hunt, it’s best to pick the time of year that best suits your hunting style, abilities, and goals.
Conclusion:
As you can see, there are many things to consider when choosing which time you want to book your guided Ohio deer hunt. Don’t get us wrong. We are not trying to talk you in or out of hunting the rut. We are simply trying to give you the best information possible so that you can make the best executive decision to optimize your experience with Rut Chasers, LLC, and hopefully get you gripping those antlers for your hero shot!
So, as you prepare for your next outfitted hunt here in Ohio, whether it be during the rut or another part of the season, get ready for the experience of a lifetime! If you have questions, please feel free to ask us here at Rut Chasers, LLC, and we will be glad to give you advice on when to hunt based on your preferences and experience. Our goal is to make your hunt a memorable one. While we can’t guarantee what you will see in terms of deer numbers or the size of bucks due to many factors, including weather, we do promise to do everything we can to make you happy during your hunt.
