The rut Is coming: best days for deer hunters
Photo by Jim Drozdowski Jr. Western New York bucks are searching forest and field edges and one lucky hunter made a great arrow shot to take this healthy deer home.
Photo by Corey Wiktor Trail camera photos allow hunters to visit the woods 24 hours a day and check on visitors, like this beautiful Western New York buck.
Photo by Jim Drozdowski Jr. Western New York bucks are searching forest and field edges and one lucky hunter made a great arrow shot to take this healthy deer home.
Photo by Corey Wiktor Trail camera photos allow hunters to visit the woods 24 hours a day and check on visitors, like this beautiful Western New York buck.
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As November arrives, deer hunters across Chautauqua County and Western New York are entering one of the most anticipated stretches of the whitetail season. The woods are changing, the days are growing shorter and the excitement is building. The best part of deer season may be just around the corner.
The annual whitetail rut, when bucks focus much of their attention on finding receptive does, can turn an ordinary day in the woods into an unforgettable hunt. During the chase phase, bucks begin searching for does that have not yet entered estrus. They travel more widely, follow fresh scent trails and sometimes appear in places where hunters have seen little daytime activity. As more does become receptive, buck movement can intensify, creating some of the season's most exciting opportunities.
For hunters, this is the time to stay alert, remain patient and make every sit count. A buck that has been moving mostly after dark may suddenly appear in daylight, following a doe through a hedgerow, crossing a field edge or slipping through a familiar patch of timber. Scrapes and rubs can offer clues to deer activity locations, but nothing compares with being in the woods when the rut is in full swing.
The timing of the rut varies from year to year and across individual areas, so there is no guaranteed peak day. Still, early to mid-November is traditionally a prime time period to watch for increased buck movement in Western New York.
According to experts, the rut is triggered by the photoperiod, like many things in nature. That is simply the ratio of daytime hours to nighttime hours. Experts say it is not affected by temperature or other weather factors, so say many experts. According to the onX app, the seeking phase of the rut started Halloween weekend and runs through Nov. 7, then chasing Nov. 8-12, then the peak rut Nov. 13-17. The post rut in Western New York will likely occur during the start of the firearm season, Nov. 18-28. Get out your calendars. On the other hand, you gotta go into the woods when you can. We all have different schedules and time in the woods is priceless. Just do go prepared with tick protection.
For archery hunters, the timing can be especially exciting. New York's Southern Zone early bowhunting season runs through Nov. 20, putting hunters in the woods during the best part of the rut. A well-timed encounter with a mature buck at close range is what keeps bowhunters returning season after season. With the wind in their favor, careful silent access to a stand and willingness to sit through changing conditions, hunters may find that their patience pays off.
The next major milestone arrives Saturday, Nov. 21, when the Southern Zone regular big game firearms season opens. Then, as now, legal deer hunting hours begin 30 minutes before sunrise and end 30 minutes after sunset. Be sure to review current New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulations, confirm your tags and permissions, and follow all applicable safety requirements before heading afield.
As the season progresses, hunters should also remember that a successful hunt can mean more than filling your own. For families facing food insecurity, venison can provide a valuable source of nutritious protein.
Through the Feeding New York State Venison Donation Program, hunters can donate legally harvested deer through participating processors. New York State partners help cover processing costs, allowing donated venison to be distributed to food banks and food pantries serving neighbors in need. Hunters should contact a participating processor before dropping off a deer and follow the program's donation procedures.
In Chautauqua County, participating processors include Siperek's Deer Shop, 1369 Shadyside Road in Lakewood (716-763-3478); Norton's Crew LLC, 516 Eccles Road in Kennedy (716-640-9652); and Troyer's Processing, 1669 Weeks Road, in Panama (716-782-4887). There is no charge for donating a deer at these locations.
November offers the anticipation of the rut, the challenge of the hunt and the possibility of a season-making encounter. Whether sitting quietly with a bow or preparing for opening day with a firearm, now is the time to recheck equipment, study the woods and make plans.
The bucks are searching, the woods are calling, and Western New York's most exciting deer hunting days are approaching. Make the most of them--and, if you have filled your freezer, consider sharing the harvest.
Gotta love the outdoors.
CALENDAR
Nov. 4: Fly Tying Class, 6-8 p.m., free, Falconer Rod & Gun Club, 329 Falconer St., Jamestown; info: 716-467-0782.
Nov. 5: WNY Walleye monthly meeting, Knights of Columbus – Hamburg, 36 Pierce Ave., 5:45 p.m. food start, 6:30 p.m. meeting begins.
Nov. 7-8: NYS Handgun Class, Westfield Fish and Game, 8150 Ogden Road, Westfield; 20 student max, $225 fee, register at RASGROUPTRAINING.COM or call 716-499-6959.