Rublines And Post Rut (FTPO)
Even though the early season can test hunters’ patience and knowledge, more hunters seem to far prefer this time over the post-rut period. But as I wrote in my book, “Rub-Line Secrets”, I actually enjoy hunting big whitetails at this time of year. Here’s why.
First, as many northern deer hunters know, snow always makes it easier to scout for and locate mature bucks. Second, I seldom have to worry about interference from other hunters. And finally, whitetails adopt very predictable food oriented movement patterns during the post-rut period. Put simply, find the food and you find the deer!
Obviously then, the best place to start post-season rub-line scouting is near feeding areas. And the best way to find active rub-lines is by walking the perimeters of feeding areas. Remember, by the time the post rut arrives, bucks will have been working their rub-lines at least two months. Fresh and reworked rubs are dead giveaways as to which routes are playing host to the most travel.
This next bit of information is crucial for post-rut hunters. Due to the fact that they’ve been hounded and harassed for at least a couple months already, post-rut bucks can be extremely sensitive to even the slightest amount of pressure. For this reason I believe it’s imperative that late season hunters start out by setting up along rub-lines near the very edges of feeding areas. If these initial hunts don’t produce any mature buck sightings, THEN it’s time to make a move.
But the trick here is making the right move. And that “right move” involves setting up some distance back from the feeding area, but still somewhere along an active rub-line. Keep moving a little at a time until you start seeing some mature buck activity. And that my friends is the post rut rub-line hunting in a nutshell.
Hey remember, hunt hard, but always hunt safe!
