Best Days to Hunt the Rut

[Blackhawk]

I read one of those "How to...When to..." hunting articles recently, and this whitetail "expert" identified one (1) best day that was an absolute "MUST" for hunting the rut.  Certain factors/localities may change this slightly, but generally speaking, when are your favorite dates to hunt the rut? (For this poll, let's assume deer season is open for the dates listed.)

[Talondale]

In VA I've always had my best results hunting between the 10th and 16th of Nov.

[ONE SHOT]

IN Missouri and Kansas Nov. 10Th-20Th. Both Firearms and Archery....ONE SHOT...  :D    :D    :D

[rugrat]

The first week of November has always been the best for me.

MD

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I'm thinking 8th-15th

[adeeden]

8th through the 15th is prime time here!

[woodchucker]

I like the first week of November, I always try to pick the first FULL week of November (sometimes 2 weeks) for my "hunting" vacation.      

[Aggie1993]

S. TX; November 17th +/- 2days is GO TIME!

[Jerry Jeffer]

the method I have been using has the best dates differnt each year. This year will be the last week of Oct. I think.  Some times it is later like the second week of Nov. My wife hates when it falls on our Anniversary. Nov 15th.

[SOS]

Actually, the state of Georgia is all over the map with rut dates from late October to early Jan.  Much depends on if they are native deer or stocked from other places.  In Augusta area, the deer were stocked from coastal island deer (small with early rut) while others in middle of state with northern deer and traditional early/mid November.  I aged a fetus a couple of years ago that showed conception in late October.  My best buck plus best chasing in last week of October.

[TimZeigler]

Oct 1 to Dec 1 on any day that ends in 'Y',   :D  

no seriously,,,, its when my wife lets me out of the house.  

[2 dogs]

yea what he said.

[Blackhawk]

It seems the majority here prefer the second week of November.  That time frame coincides with what the "experts" say as well.  One "must" day to be in the woods is November 14 while another suggested November 11.

Of course, warm weather and full moons mean most of the activity will be at night.

[John Scifres]

Our gun season doesn't start until 11/17 so that leaves the prime rut for archery.  Hmmm....

[LV2HUNT]

I probably see the most activity during 8 - 15 but will see the larger bucks engaged the week after.

[Blackhawk]

"Of course, warm weather and full moons mean most of the activity will be at night."

...and rifle season during this time is another factor.

[BMN]

I see the most rut activity, bucks chasing does, the week of Nov 8-15. That being said, I have had much greater hunting success the week of Nov 1-7 or the last week of October.

Bill

[Shawn Leonard]

I have killed 3 of my 4 best bucks between the 10-13th. Two on the 11th. I have the 3rd. through the 19th. off this year. I belive the rut where I hunt falls around the 19th, but variesa tad each year. I believe ya do not really want to hunt the actual breeding phase of the rut, due to bucks being on to one hot doe and staying with her a day or two, so right before actual breeding begins is the best time. If I had to pick one day evry year it would be Nov. 11th. I also missed a 160" buck on that date in 02'. Shawn

[Shawn Leonard]

I also disagree about the full moon. It has been proven that when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot, there is quite a bit of movement mid-day 10-2pm, so morning sits and evening sits will not be as good but the mid-day ones will be much better during a full or dark moon. I look at the Harvest moon which is a full moon and count 7-10 days from the first day it is full and that is the best time to be in the woods in my part of NY. Shawn

[Bonebuster]

Our firearms season starts on the 15th. We have almost 800,000 firearms hunters, and the activity
in the woods skyrockets the week prior. Deer are plenty spooked by the 15th. That is why I believe
the best times are the first week of November.