PRESTON PITTMAN'S SECRETS TO TAKING DEER DURING THE PRE-RUT AND THE RUT

EDITOR'S NOTE: Preston Pittman of Canton, Mississippi, the creator of Preston Pittman Game Calls, enjoys every type of hunting. Also known for his prowess in calling deer and turkeys as well as other animals, Pittman is a longtime friend and hunting buddy.

QUESTION: Preston, how long have you and I been hunting together?

ANSWER: Well, I had hair when we first started hunting together, so it's been at least 12 to 15 years or more.

QUESTION: You've taken some really big deer through the years. Tell me your secrets to taking deer in the pre-rut and the rut.

ANSWER: My secrets to being successful hunting at this time of the year include having patience and hunting new areas. I'm also a firm believer in the philosophy that the first time you're in a region is when you'll kill a bigger, better deer there. I know too that deer are repetitious. In an area where I take a good buck one year, then the following year there will be another big buck that will take over that same territory, the same rub line, the same scrape line, etc. What appeals to humans - like being cool, being warm, seeing an attractive female - all will be the same things that appeal to any wildlife God put on this earth.

QUESTION: How many times can you go back to the same place every year and take a buck?

ANSWER: Well, I guess the answer to that question really depends on what you call taking a buck. I like to go into a place, bag a deer or two and always leave another true trophy animal there. As long as deer are in that general area, there always will be another, less-dominant buck that will take over that same scrape line. For example, as long as there are does in the area to be bred, a buck will utilize those does. And the buck will run the same scrape lines as the previous dominant buck did.

QUESTION: What's the most deer you've ever taken off one scrape line?

ANSWER: The most deer I've ever taken off one scrape/rub line/funnel are three, but I could have taken more.

TOMORROW: WHAT KIND OF PLACE MAKES A GOOD SCRAPE OR FUNNEL TO HUNT AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR

Check back each day this week for more from Preston Pittman...

Day 1 - Secrets To Taking Deer During The Pre-Rut And The Rut
Day 2 - What Kind Of Scrapes Make A Good Hunt
Day 3 - How To Hunt During The Full Rut
Day 4 - How To Hunt During The Post-Rut
Day 5 - How To Take A Buck On The Last Day Of Deer Season

John's Journal