Well the 2020 rut has been much like the rest of the year with many ups and downs. The the temperatures were up and the deer movement has been down. Temperatures sored into the mid and upper 70’s essentially pushing most of the rut activity nocturnal. Most of the deer movement wasn’t seen until late in the evening and morning activity was very limited, because they were up and moving all night.
Everything was poised for us to have good rut but when mother nature throws a monkey wrench into your plans what can you do. We had plenty of time to put in the stands so that’s what we did. Just because the weather was a factor this year doesn’t mean that there was no rut or that it will wait for cooler temperatures. The show must go on and no question that it did. There is no doubt about that and trail camera intel proved it.
We had several sits and saw many deer. We almost got it done on a nice mature 8 pointer but he locked up at 55 yards never presenting a shot opportunity before running out of legal light. We had to put the time in, it was still the rut and the opportunity to put one on the ground was still there. Social media showed us that plenty of good deer were being taken all over the country despite the conditions. This year was even more about putting in time and being in the right place at the right time than usual. What we saw, was limited movement by the doe’s until just before dark, soon after the girls got up and moving the younger bucks would show up and put on a show. However the big guys were late to the game and would not come out until last light or even later.
We made a valiant effort for the 2020 rut but as we enter into the later half of November its a good bet that most of the doe’s have been bread and if they haven’t the bucks are locked down with the ones who are still in estrus. It can still happen and there will soon be a second phase of the rut. We are rapidly approaching our firearms opener next weekend and just maybe we will find one of the big boys on the move. This part of the year can be challenging some states are already into gun seasons and the other states soon will be. Deer pressure will be high as the army hits the woods and many deer will be taken in the coming weeks. I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and remind everyone to get out in the woods and be Safe!
Chris
We put in the effort but have not prevailed. Like you said Chris gun season starts next weekend hopefully the big boys are still around tending to the late estrus doe.