Harvesting Big Bucks Post Rut: 3 Strategies for Success

You aren't imagining things. Research shows that the post-rut period can be the best time to harvest a big buck that's still looking for action from some does.

So, if it's late in the season but you're still trying to bring home a buck that will impress your friends or feed your family for a long time, keep reading to learn about harvesting big bucks post-rut.

The Experiment

Chief wildlife biologist and whitetail deer researcher Dr. Mickey Hellickson conducted a well-respected whitetail study at the King Ranch in Texas in the late 2000s. This study lasted about two years and was conducted on an 8,000-acre ranch with a variety of landscapes that allowed testing to be controlled quite well.

Dr. Hellickson placed several observers in elevated blinds and then had someone rattle antlers at ground level. The teams then conducted three rattling sessions per day, each lasting about ten minutes long during different seasons, areas, and weather.

The results showcased that yearling bucks were the first responders, with a few old bucks in the mix during the pre-rut. Next, during peak rut, bucks aged 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 years old were the most responsive.

However, post-rust is when the trophy bucks come to noise.

Post-Rut Appearances Make Sense

This may seem shocking to many of you, but it makes sense. It is known that as soon as peak breeding is over and late-season creeps in, many young bucks are done rutting, considering many are already bred.

With that said, the big bucks will concentrate on the few remaining females, causing the confrontation to intensify. Although the battle between the bucks is strong, and the amount of does to choose from is slim, the big boys are out there.

The best thing is that many hunters are not.

Post-rut time is one of the most ideal times to rattle in a big boy.  Bucks are beginning to develop a pattern again, with the gunshots disappearing and orange hats returning to their homes.

Therefore, we have three key tips for harvesting that late-season trophy buck all your buddies will be jealous of.

1. Rattle Them In

As Dr. Hellickson's studies showcased, rattling can prove to be very successful.

Rattling is a tactic that should be heavily used during this post-rut season. Considering bucks are ready to battle now, rattling in a trophy only seems natural.  

So, create long, loud, and fierce battle noises with your antlers. At this point in the season, deer do not stop for anything, and the bigger the battle, the more likely they are to draw near.

2. Cause Minimal Disturbance To Your Buck

At this point in the season, bucks are sensitive. They have been pressured all season long and have maybe even escaped a shot or two.

Therefore, hunting smart and going back to the basics is most important during the post-rut season. With that said, pay attention to the direction of your wind so you can control your scent.

Again, deer will be very sensitive during this season, so your exit and entrance are crucial. Pay attention to every move you make while getting to and from your stand to cause minimal disturbance to the buck's natural patterns.

This is when a trail camera comes in handy. Although we believe many tactics and strategies work to harvest a buck post-rut, trail cameras are the professionals in all reality. Watch what your buck is doing, and notice the patterns he is developing.

Is he feeding during the afternoon – or before dark? Try your best to "think like your buck" so you can slip in quietly to your stand and harvest a trophy.

3. Wait To Go To Your Stand

Once you are officially in the post-rut season, you must remind yourself that the bucks still around have changed their patterns vastly.

Generally speaking, bucks lose a lot of weight during the rutting season, causing them to build up their weight again to last the winter. So, bucks usually begin to hang out around food plots and food sources more often, especially when they do not have an estrous doe to look for.

Go out to your tree stand a little later than you normally would and sit all day long. Most of the time, bucks feed for hours, causing them not to leave until just before dark to begin their feeding session.

Plan to stay out a little later to witness those bucks feeding around dark.

Use HuntWise to Scout and Plan Post Rut Whitetail Hunts

Overall, the post rut is a new season of hunting whitetail. These deer have made it through gun season in some states and harsh weather conditions in others, and they are even more conscious now than they were during the early season. It's crucial to do some scouting, check your trail cameras, and re-evaluate your bucks to see if there are any new patterns.

Most likely, feeding times are going to change post-rut, which means you must adapt to these new patterns. Take a step back, make a game plan, and harvest that trophy buck post-rut.

HuntWise makes it easy to scout year-round. You can scout in the field more efficiently with maps and marked hunt areas. You've narrowed down where to scout during your early season hunts and the offseason so your winter hunt can go more smoothly.

Use the tips we've provided today and Huntwise to plan successful post-rut hunts! Download the app and explore every feature free for a week.

Content updated June 14, 2024.