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Hunting the Pre-Rut
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Deer calls will work better in pre-rut because bucks are more active. Use doe calls more than a buck in early season. You may also have some rattling success.
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The pre-rut can be one of the best times for calling and the use of scents. One should understand the language of deer and the common sense of using scents.
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The bucks have the most vigor at this time of year, and they are wanting something to happen. Once the rut commences, the old mature bucks usually have does with them. No matter how good you are with rattling horns they won't respond.
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As soon as a buck's horn harden, he's ready to mate. It is the doe that brings on the majority of the rutting activity as she comes into "estrus". Grunting during this time of year is done primarily by bucks as they are chasing does in an attempt to breed; therefore, grunting every 5 to 10 minutes from your stand, 3,4 or 5 times, may signal to a nearby buck that there is another buck chasing a doe. He is very likely to come to you to investigate.
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Hunt fresh scrapes and rub lines for buck in pre-rut. Bucks do not scrape as much during the actual rut. The bucks are too busy chasing does. If you cannot find any rubs or scrapes yet, hunt the food sources.
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The pre-rut is a great time to call for a whitetail. Calling and rattling on the downwind side of a bedding area is a super way to pull a big buck out during the pre-rut.
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Use a run and gun calling tactic for the pre-rut. Move into a area and make a series of grunts. Try some light horn rattling. Wait 10 to 15 minutes and if there is no response, move to another area.
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Follow scrapes and rubs backwards to locate bedding areas. Do not get in so close you spook the deer, but hunt areas between bedding and feeding grounds.
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