Whether you are a long-time bowhunter or are new to archery hunting for deer in Pennsylvania, the signs — if you read and understand them correctly — are clearly pointing to the fact that “the rut is on!”
Over the past week or more, an increase in the number of scrapes has been evident, and they are being tended to by traveling bucks more frequently. Bucks cruising in search of estrus does are being spotted more often and are traveling now throughout the day, not just in the hours of darkness. If you talk to enough archery hunters, you will get a wide variety of opinions as to when the peak time to hunt rutting bucks will occur. While many believe that the week around Halloween is prime time, many others hold in highest regard the week around Veteran’s Day. Varying weather conditions can affect rutting activity, as evidenced by the recent warmer weather, which seems to have a slowing effect on rutting activity. The moon phase also plays a part in the timing of the rut. But it is, in the end, the timing of the does going into and being in estrus that is the greatest factor driving the rut. The buildup of scrapes and rubs is a sure indicator that the rut is in the chasing phase when bucks are still seeking an estrus doe.
I recently visited with some bowhunting friends who were hunting in the Clearfield area, and there, just like throughout Lycoming County, the peaking of rutting activity is evidenced by the active scrapes and the frequent sighting of traveling bucks. Hunters are also encountering some bucks that have entered the “Lockdown phase,” or tending period of the rut. Most often, breeding a doe and buck is not a one-time thing; instead, they enter an hours-long courtship that can last for days. Once a buck finds a doe that is in estrus, he will remain by her side as long as she remains receptive. This tending begins when a buck senses that a doe is in the process of coming into heat, and he will then focus his time and attention on her. This might be 48 hours or more, but the buck will not leave her side and will chase away any nearby fawns, does, or other bucks. During this tending phase, the pair will tend to seek heavier cover to avoid being detected by other deer, especially during the actual breeding activity. Once the buck and does are in a secure and secluded location, the watching and waiting begins. She will get up from time to time to eat and then lie back down to ruminate. The buck will raise and make sure everything is okay and then lie back down where he has a good view of her. He will rise more often than the doe since he is on security duty and will aggressively run of any other bucks. Frequent scent checking occurs between the doe and buck as they confirm back and forth that the period of estrus is still active and the breeding continues. Breeding is actually a very brief moment in the hours-long tending courtship, and as soon as it’s over, they both go back to waiting and watching. They can breed multiple times, but when she’s done, the scent drops off, and when he then scent checks her and determines that she is done, he just walks away.
It is during this tending phase that hunters might mistakenly think that a particular buck may have left the area, and they will no longer have an opportunity to target that specific buck. In reality, once he is finished tending that particular doe, he will return to the chasing phase, where he will be traveling and checking scrapes to find another estrus doe. If you suspect that a buck might be in the tending phase, how do you go about locating him?
Generally speaking, the pair will not be where deer are hanging out. They may be in heavier cover or in a relatively quiet spot. By using your binoculars, you can scan any visible weed beds, thicker cover, or even open woods from a further distance — then plan your approach.
Don’t let this temporary tending phase keep you from spending the maximum time possible in the woods. The duration is relatively short-lived and bucks will quickly return to the activity of seeking other does.
