The prerut occurs in the fall beginning with velvet shed and lasts up to the onset of peak rut. At the Roost this period runs from late Sept. to the week prior to Christmas.

During the first phase of prerut, field confirmation is evidenced by the presence of velvet ruts in and around the bedding areas bachelor groups of mature bucks traveling together and the obvious segregation of the sexes in or near the primary feeding areas.

The biological responsibility of mature bucks during the stage of prerut is to conserve energy, develop fat stores and prepare physiologically for the up and coming rut.

Hunters should recognize that during this stage of prerut, significant daytime activity occurs mostly when temperatures are below average for this time of the season. Also, hunters should understand that in relatively homogenous habitat that the travel distances between bedding and feeding areas will be reduced. This tendency makes locating these groups more difficult. Habitual in their daily routines, a rule of thumb in locating these mature bachelor groups is to avoid the "Doe Show" areas. (Feeding and bedding areas where large numbers of does are regularly observed). Although less mature bucks will often be seen in and around these doe groups, mature bucks won't be at this time.

As we enter the second phase of prerut, testosterone levels in all bucks continue to rise and consequently rub activity increases. The number of trees being rubbed and the size of the trees being rubbed also increases. The rub lines that occur on the travel corridors to and from the feeding areas begin to be more definable. Sparing between bachelor group members becomes more commonplace as will as a gradual expansion of their area of influence. From this period up until peak rut affords the best opportunity to pattern mature bucks. Bucks travel from their bedding areas through their feeding areas and back seldom if ever traveling back on the rails from which they came.

This loop effect combined with the orientation of the rubs relative to the bedding and feeding areas allow the hunter to decide not only where but when (AM vs PM) to best intercept them. During the latter stages of prerut, scrape activity increases and usually peaks prior to rut. The now loose bonds holding these bucks together deteriorate, competition increases and their area of influence dramatically expands.

The field evidence of the onset of this "seeking phase" is the presence of serious persistent scrape and rub activity in the primary doe feeding areas, single mature bucks beyond their traditional bedding feeding areas "shadowing does".

Although the overall probability of hunters sighting mature bucks increases through peak rut, the pattern ability of these bucks actually decreases. At this point you're as likely to see the buck of a lifetime in the camp's front yard as anywhere else. The hunter's best strategy from this point through the peak rut is to use the does as "bait" and hunt traditional travel corridors to areas where does are constantly observed.

Good Luck,
Good Hunting

Contact George Mayfield at the Roost. Phone 205-373-3147 for the Ultimate Deer And Turkey Hunt.