Dan from Davenport, iowa asks,
Have been splitting my hunt November 6 to the 12th, then returning for another six seven days after the 15th .... what's your opinion of that third week of November?
Bill responds,
Topic: Best Time to Hunt the Rut:
My friend Mike Sawyer shot this great buck on my farm on November 20th. I have also shot some really good bucks between November 20 and November 26. I like this second round of rut action.
Dan,
I have not been a big fan of that timeframe, although this year it seemed that a couple of my friends did shoot nice bucks then. During that time, the mature bucks are mostly tied up with does because the peak of breeding is roughly November 15 every year in Iowa. So, right after the 15th, there are still lots of does in estrus and that means the bucks are looking as much.
To be successful during the peak of the breeding cycle, you have to get really lucky and have a hot doe come past your stand or you have to catch a buck between does (which seems really hard to do, from personal experience).
I like it better from November 20-26 for the second round of rut action. I also like going earlier than your first round, if possible. I have had a good bit of success between November 3 and November 6. Really, all parts of the rut can be good, but the very middle is the worst, in my experience (roughly November 13-18). Good luck. (12/20/21)
