Many hunters recognize Halloween as the kickoff of the rut. Although to some hunters, it may be viewed as the only day of the year they fit in.
Most years, by the last day of October, signs of the rut have begun to appear. The whitetail buck’s routine is beginning to change, which can be in the favor of the hunter. By using the signs left behind and setting up properly, the odds of harvesting a mature animal increases dramatically. Scents used to attract bucks can also be extremely effective during this time of the rut.
The phase of the rut we are in now is called the pre-rut. This basically is like football players practicing for the big game. Bucks make scrapes or paw beds out of frustration, and aggressively rub their antlers on trees, which strengthens their legs and necks. This activity prepares the animal’s body for the true battles of the upcoming rut. They begin to make multitudes of scrapes and rubs, and visit to freshen them sometimes several times a day. Scent checking of the scrapes and wind for the first hot does will increase buck movement during daylight hours.
With does still a couple weeks from their cycle, the bucks are ready to go now. They are becoming much less tolerant of other bucks and are beginning to spar and sometimes outright fight to establish dominance. The fights are a bit less serious than during the rut, and rarely cause injury. These fights make noises that attract other bucks, either to join in or to be a spectator. It has been said that clashing or rattling deer antlers together to attract bucks had been done by native people for thousands of years. Modern hunters use this technique to this day, and many that have tried it consistently, claim it works.
Rattling has been an effective technique on several of my hunts, but must be done regularly to produce. I would say that only one out of 100 times you rattle you will see a buck locally. It works, but I find other sounds have a much better ratio.
Grunts are one of the sounds a deer makes to communicate. I have found this call to be more effective, and have a 40-to-one ratio. A snort wheeze is a territorial sound a buck makes to say, “stay away or I will fight.” This call works mostly on bigger deer, and has a 70-to-one ratio. Replicating a buck making a scrape works one out of 80 times. Using your rattling antlers to replicate the sound of a buck making a rub, works one out of 90 times. All of these calls work better than rattling, but that doesn’t mean you should give it up. Use them all and more often to increase your odds.
There is no doubt serious hunters will do what it takes to get the job done. For years I have worn face paint, which hides you’re mug from detection. The reason that I do so is that I don’t like to wear a face mask. Head to toe camo is a must for most hunts, and is also worn to prevent being detected. The only problem with dressing yourself up this way is going into public.
Last summer I was headed up north to do some work in a swamp. I was dressed in a pair of chest waders and a camo shirt. I realized that I had forgotten my water, and had to grab some. I walked into the gas station and instantly felt everyone staring at me. I approached the cashier, which was a pretty young woman, and asked if I looked alright. She just smiled. I then said I’m going on a blind date, do I look alright? She stared blankly at me not knowing how to reply. I finally let her know my date was with a duck blind. Everyone standing around had a good laugh. It still didn’t make me feel any less awkward.
A few years ago a friend of mine and I were headed out to do some duck hunting. I had to get gas, and he said he would pay if I pumped, so he headed in to the store. I pumped the gas and got back in the truck. About that time, I saw a landowner friend of mine inside. I knew he would give my friend permission to hunt his property if we asked, so I went inside. I grabbed my buddy and headed to the booth where he was sitting. I introduced my friend and they shook hands. We talked for a minute or two about my friend and he granted us permission. The whole time we talked, the landowner was looking at me like I had crabs coming out of my ears. I couldn’t figure out why until I got back in the truck looked in the mirror and remembered that I had painted my whole face to hide from the ducks.
Returning home from a hunt on Halloween, I had to get gas and some food. I went into the gas station with face paint on and full camo. To my surprise, no one stared at all. I then stopped at a burger joint. When I pulled up to the drive-through window, it was business as usual. I paid, she gave me my change and food, then wished me a happy Halloween. Just when I thought people were starting to accept me, I realized it was the day everyone is dressed like a goofball. At least there is one day a year you can get away with looking like a goof.
So mark your calender and paint your face. Good wishes and happy Halloween.