buckee Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 This subject came up in another thread and I thought it would be good to share once again. [ QUOTE ] Understanding The Rut Phases EDITOR'S NOTE: Jerry Peterson is the founder and product designer of Woods Wise Products, the makers of quality game calls in Franklin, Tennessee. QUESTION: What are the basic facts a hunter should know about the rut? PETERSON: Most importantly, you must understand the phase of the rut you are hunting. If you don't know, you can make two simple observations of the does, and also look at scrapes to determine the rut phase. Generally, when bucks make scrapes, they are looking for, but not finding does. During the prerut, bucks work scrapes to their maximum. When they stop tending those scrapes, you know you are going into the peak of the rut. The bucks no longer have any reasons to tend scrapes because they are finding what they are looking for. Secondly, you can look at the doe's tarsal glands on the inside of her hind leg and gauge the phase of the rut by the color of the glands. For example, a solid-white tarsal gland means there is no rutting activity whatsoever going on. The prerut phase is marked by a chocolate-brown center in the white tarsal gland. And during the peak of the rut, the doe's tarsal glands are jet black. The fourth point about the tarsal gland is once she has bred, she licks it clean. So you can gauge the progress of the rut by looking at every doe you see. Once you know what phase the deer are in, by gauging scrape activity or studying the does' tarsal glands, you can begin to determine what calls to use. [/ QUOTE ] So Keep an eye on the does, so you know which ones are about to be bred. Those dark tarsal glands on the does are something we always watch for coming into the rut and post-rut, but never talk about much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 Re: Which does to Watch_rut/post-rut [ QUOTE ] This subject came up in another thread and I thought it would be good to share once again. [ QUOTE ] Understanding The Rut Phases EDITOR'S NOTE: Jerry Peterson is the founder and product designer of Woods Wise Products, the makers of quality game calls in Franklin, Tennessee. QUESTION: What are the basic facts a hunter should know about the rut? PETERSON: Most importantly, you must understand the phase of the rut you are hunting. If you don't know, you can make two simple observations of the does, and also look at scrapes to determine the rut phase. Generally, when bucks make scrapes, they are looking for, but not finding does. During the prerut, bucks work scrapes to their maximum. When they stop tending those scrapes, you know you are going into the peak of the rut. The bucks no longer have any reasons to tend scrapes because they are finding what they are looking for. Secondly, you can look at the doe's tarsal glands on the inside of her hind leg and gauge the phase of the rut by the color of the glands. For example, a solid-white tarsal gland means there is no rutting activity whatsoever going on. The prerut phase is marked by a chocolate-brown center in the white tarsal gland. And during the peak of the rut, the doe's tarsal glands are jet black. The fourth point about the tarsal gland is once she has bred, she licks it clean. So you can gauge the progress of the rut by looking at every doe you see. Once you know what phase the deer are in, by gauging scrape activity or studying the does' tarsal glands, you can begin to determine what calls to use. [/ QUOTE ] So Keep an eye on the does, so you know which ones are about to be bred. Those dark tarsal glands on the does are something we always watch for coming into the rut and post-rut, but never talk about much. [/ QUOTE ] Does this apply to knife hunting too, Johnny? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted December 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 Re: Which does to Watch_rut/post-rut [ QUOTE ] Does this apply to knife hunting too, Johnny? [/ QUOTE ] Yes Curt...it does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted December 18, 2005 Report Share Posted December 18, 2005 Re: Which does to Watch_rut/post-rut Good info. Thanks for bringing it up again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 19, 2005 Report Share Posted December 19, 2005 Re: Which does to Watch_rut/post-rut That is some great info Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted December 21, 2005 Report Share Posted December 21, 2005 Re: Which does to Watch_rut/post-rut Thanks for the info buckee,,, i've just learned something new........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fourtrax_300 Posted December 21, 2005 Report Share Posted December 21, 2005 Re: Which does to Watch_rut/post-rut i learn something new everyday ! thanks for the tid bit of info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted December 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2005 Re: Which does to Watch_rut/post-rut ttt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chromage Posted December 28, 2005 Report Share Posted December 28, 2005 Re: Which does to Watch_rut/post-rut Thanks for the info!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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