Post by RJ on Sept 18, 2006 12:23:03 GMT -5
Although things change from year to year , and the best way to pattern deer as to where they are in their routine is to get out scouting and spend time in the field , then spend more time in the field ..... here is a basic rule of thumb I picked up many years ago from a local Biologist .
3 behaviors .... Feeding , Bedding , Rutting .
1st 2 weeks in October
Fedding = alfalfa , soybeans , apples .
Bedding = small upland deciduous forests .
Rutting = boudary scrapes , rub lines .
Last 2 weeks in October
Fedding = standing corn , corn and bean stubble .
Bedding = large deciduous forest , standing corn .
Rutting = secondary scrapes , rub lines .
End of October , 1st 2 weeks in November .
Fedding = does/ fawns - beans and corn stubble , bucks little feeding due to the rut ( approx 1st week in Nov. )
Bedding = large deciduous forest valleys .
Rutting = breeding scrapes ( watch for sign in your area to pin point the peak , this is important so you can refrence and count 28 days ahead for the 2nd rut , another 28 days for the 3rd rut if it happens in your area .... 28 day increments should give you a ball park estimate )
Last 2 weeks in November
Fedding = corn and bean stubble .
Bedding = deciduous and coniferous forest valleys .
Rutting = secondary scrapes , rub lines .
End of November , 1st 2 weeks in December
Fedding = does/ fawns - beans and corn stubble , bucks little feeding due to the rut ( refrence 28 days from 1st rut peak )
Bedding = deciduous and coniferous forest valleys .
Rutting = secondary scrapes , second rut ( doe fawns )
Last 2 weeks of December
Fedding = corn and bean stubble , browse and burried apples .
Bedding = coniferous forest valleys .
Rutting = secondary scrapes and rub lines . ( refrence 28 days from peak of second rut. )
The above is a good rule of thumb I use , year to year .... Timing will vary according to such factors as moon phase , weather patterns etc.
I'm no expert but I do spend a lot of time in the bush studying deer behavior through the season ( I take lots of pictures as well ) .... I hope this info will give some of you " a leg up " .
3 behaviors .... Feeding , Bedding , Rutting .
1st 2 weeks in October
Fedding = alfalfa , soybeans , apples .
Bedding = small upland deciduous forests .
Rutting = boudary scrapes , rub lines .
Last 2 weeks in October
Fedding = standing corn , corn and bean stubble .
Bedding = large deciduous forest , standing corn .
Rutting = secondary scrapes , rub lines .
End of October , 1st 2 weeks in November .
Fedding = does/ fawns - beans and corn stubble , bucks little feeding due to the rut ( approx 1st week in Nov. )
Bedding = large deciduous forest valleys .
Rutting = breeding scrapes ( watch for sign in your area to pin point the peak , this is important so you can refrence and count 28 days ahead for the 2nd rut , another 28 days for the 3rd rut if it happens in your area .... 28 day increments should give you a ball park estimate )
Last 2 weeks in November
Fedding = corn and bean stubble .
Bedding = deciduous and coniferous forest valleys .
Rutting = secondary scrapes , rub lines .
End of November , 1st 2 weeks in December
Fedding = does/ fawns - beans and corn stubble , bucks little feeding due to the rut ( refrence 28 days from 1st rut peak )
Bedding = deciduous and coniferous forest valleys .
Rutting = secondary scrapes , second rut ( doe fawns )
Last 2 weeks of December
Fedding = corn and bean stubble , browse and burried apples .
Bedding = coniferous forest valleys .
Rutting = secondary scrapes and rub lines . ( refrence 28 days from peak of second rut. )
The above is a good rule of thumb I use , year to year .... Timing will vary according to such factors as moon phase , weather patterns etc.
I'm no expert but I do spend a lot of time in the bush studying deer behavior through the season ( I take lots of pictures as well ) .... I hope this info will give some of you " a leg up " .
