RUT-HUNTING TACTICS THAT PRODUCE BUCKS

EDITOR'S NOTE: Bob Walker of Livingston, Alabama, spends so much time in the woods each year because of where he lives and the large population of deer in that area that he knows what works during the rut to take bucks. Call Walker or his wife, Alice, at R & J Meathouse, (205) 627-4295 to learn more about their delicious-tasting venison sausage and other ways they'll process your deer for you.

QUESTION: What are three rut-hunting tactics that produce deer for you?

ANSWER: One is blowing a grunt call. Although blowing a grunt call may not work during the peak of the rut, you'll probably hunt more during non-peak times than during the peak. I like to grunt around water, where the sound will carry a lot farther. If you grunt aggressively to call two or three bucks chasing a doe and then stop grunting, a buck often will run right to you, which will help you out if the wind is blowing the wrong way. That buck even may run in quickly before he realizes he's run into your scent.

QUESTION: What's the number-two tactic?

ANSWER: Number two is moving or stalking the deer. Now to do this, you've got to know the area, and you have to be careful and safe. You can't do this just everywhere. If you're hunting public land, make sure you wear orange.

QUESTION: What's the third tactic you like to use during the rut?

ANSWER: I enjoy being able to see a long distance because then I can cover so much more ground with my scope. If you see a deer you can't shoot 400 or 500 yards across a power line, a gas line or a road, you can move down there and then start stalk hunting or grunting or whatever you have to do to hunt that buck. You've got a starting place. That's usually what I do early on if I haven't found anything I want to hunt. If I'm in an open area and see a lot of activity elsewhere, then I can move to that section of land.

QUESTION: When you see does and bucks running across a place, what do you look for when you move to that site?

ANSWER: I'll look first for a trail. If I sit there long enough, I'll figure out a pattern. I try to find where two trails cross, meet or come close together. If the terrain is thick and I can't move without spooking a deer, I'll sit and grunt. But if the terrain is open, I'll keep moving and looking. If you stalk, find a spot with a lot of activity and see sign, then you can stop.

QUESTION: Why don't most hunters get a buck during the rut? What are they doing wrong?

ANSWER: I think they're hunting too much at set times. I know it's been said before, but I see more deer chasing does from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. I've killed several decent bucks either right at dark or at 2:00 p.m. During the rut, deer will move all day. Therefore, you need to hunt all day long. If you're sitting at a cabin or a restaurant, you're wasting time. You should be moving. Go get something to eat, turn around and come right back. If you can't sit that long, keep moving. If you don't have much area to cover, slow down, and ease around. A change of scenery will help you stay out hunting longer.

QUESTION: You believe in using Walker's Game Ear during the rut, don't you?

ANSWER: Yes, because I have a high-frequency hearing loss, I can't hear deer walking in the leaves as well as other people can. That lack of hearing really hurts me. Once you become accustomed to using Walker's Game Ear, you'll be crazy about it. I have two of them, and they have really helped me. I can hear deer walking or running from farther away than ever before. If you have only a minor hearing problem, the Walker's Game Ear will help. Even if you don't have a hearing problem, it will improve your hunting and help you be more successful.

To learn more about Walker's Game Ear, contact Bob Walker at P.O. Box 1069, Media, PA 19063; (610) 565-8952; or go to www.walkersgameear.com.

Check back each day this week for more from Bob Walker...

Day 1 - Hunting During The Rut
Day 2 - Walker's Favorite Equipment For Hunting During The Rut
Day 3 - How To Know You're Taking The Dominant Buck
Day 4 - Bob Walker's Secrets To Stalk Hunting During The Rut
Day 5 - Rut Hunting Tactics That Produce Bucks

John's Journal