Whitetail Rut-Cation Journal 11/6

by Eric Hall

Whitetail, Deer, Rut, Deer Hunting, Ohio Hunting, Hunting, Whitetail Deer,

Doe and Fawn 11/6/2017

This journal will chronicle my Rut-cation and review tactics based on weather and timing to hunt NE Ohio whitetail deer. I look forward to sharing this ongoing story with you.

Good Luck Everyone and – Stay Afflicted with Whitetail OCD

11/5 – Did not hunt major rain event

11/6

Weather

Pressure 30.05
N winds 10 to 12 MPH
Temperature low 33 and high of 59
Moon Waning Gibbous

Rise 7:41 PM
Set: 9:31 AM

Strategy today:

Travel and Bedding areas

Doe should be coming into estrous so focusing on doe bed areas
Hunt field edges in the evening where doe will be feeding, looking for a cruising buck
Moon Guide lists this week as a RED MOON week

Prolonged rain event ending at 10 AM, this is usually a trigger to deer movement
North wind after two or three South days.

Results: Let’s Just Call it THE GRIND!

Coming out of the hunt today, I sat in my stand for 7 hours and saw a fawn, and 5 does near my set. I saw a buck chasing a doe at the opposite end of the woods early on, but nothing materialized from that activity. They were too far away to determine size, etc.

I am encouraged by the success of my friends. Glenn Moore, a good friend from High School took a nice 6pt last night in Pennsylvania. Great Job Glenn!!

I have heard many people call hunting the rut “The Grind”, and that term is definitely appropriate so far this year. Not just the physical exposure to the wind, rain and cold, but the mental side of sitting in the stand the majority of the day.

Frustration begins to sink in. Lack of movement and limited encounters with mature deer fuel negative thoughts. I find myself now fighting doubt about my setup, my choices and my plan. Is it me? What am I doing wrong? Is my timing off? Are they locked down already? Where are the bucks?

This is where I have to step back and evaluate the situation of the past 7 or 8 days.

Temperatures have been above normal for this time of the year
There has been significant rain that has impacted the herd movement
Barometric pressure has been low (below 30) for 50% of the Rut-cation
Does should be coming into estrous at an increasing rate in NE Ohio with peak breeding coming soon
I still have 3 fresh stands that have not yet been hunted

It is hard not to outthink yourself during “THE GRIND”. My plan can evolve, but the mission cannot change.

Focus on what I know about the herd
Focus on my access (entrance/exit)
Continue to pay attention to details

Scent control
Wind direction
Temperature
Most recent information

Make sure I am in a stand this week

Temperatures dropping to below average for this time of the year
Barometric pressure at or above 30.25 for the majority of the week

The weather is turning colder and pressure is on the rise. North winds continue and there is no rain to speak of through the end of this week.

I am happy to be hunting a fresh stand in the AM with a doe decoy in the open field. My plan is to be in before sun up and sit through late morning. Transition to my afternoon property will depend on deer activity in the AM.

All it takes is one hot doe and the game can turn on a dime. This is why I hunt. This is why I am up before daylight and out until dark. This is what fuels me to fight the mental and physical fatigue and why I Stay Afflicted with Whitetail OCD!