Learn about the rut from one of deer hunting's top minds.

Host: Charlie Alsheimer, biologist and host of Deer & Deer Hunting TV

Description: Outside of actually being a deer, you aren't going to be more in tune with the rut than with Charlie Alsheimer's predictions. You will know the best times to hunt with his sagely insights. You've only got a limited time to spend in the field. Make the best of it.

CLICK HERE to purchase Rut Predictions I Online Course.

CLICK HERE to see other Online Courses from Deer & Deer Hunting.

Questions Answered in This Online Course

If I could hunt just one week, which week would it be?
 
Is 2009 expected to be a “classic rut”?
 
When will the rut peak in 2009?
 
Is the rut expected to be subdued or intense in 2009?
 
Where did the lunar rut theory come from – is it scientifically valid?
 
Can the rut really be predicted based on moon phases?
 
Why is the beginning date of the autumn equinox so crucial to the rut’s
timing?
 
Why should deer hunters pay attention to the full moon phase?
 
What is the “rutting moon” – when does it occur?
 
Do shortening daylight hours play a role in triggering the rut?
 
Is the second full moon after the autumn equinox a reliable trigger for the
rut?
 
How does the rutting moon affect deer behavior?
 
Physiologically speaking, how does the rutting room affect does?
 
Why is the 38th latitude so important when timing the rut?
 
Can I reliably predict the rut if I live in the south?
 
In addition to lunar activity, what role does temperature and weather play
in the timing of the rut?
 
Was last year’s late rut really a “trickle rut”?
 
How does a full “rutting” moon hitting later in November affect rut
intensity?
 
How does a full “rutting” moon hitting late October affect rut intensity?
 
Why does a full moon landing early November create the best possible rut
conditions for deer hunters?
 
Why are November 12th and 13th key dates in the appearance of the rutting
moon?
 
What are the four major factors that can suppress the rut?
 
Do early November snowstorms help – or hurt – the rut?
 
How do herd sex ratios impact the rut’s timing and intensity?
 
Does hunting pressure have a significantly negative impact on the rut’s
intensity?
 
Why is 45 degrees a critical temperature to keep in mind when hunting the
rut?
 
Are warm temperatures the key factor in suppressing the rut?
 
Will warm temperatures affect the rut in the south as it does in the
north—above the 38th latitude?
 
Why should I learn the November or December temperature norm where I hunt?
 
Will balancing my buck-to-doe ratio increase rutting activity?
 
What exactly is the ideal buck-to-doe ratio for optimizing the rut?
 
How does age structure of bucks in an area affect the rut’s intensity?
 
How do mature bucks behave during the rut versus yearling bucks?
 
Can the amount of rubs, scrapes and fights present in your area provide
clues to your age structure?
 
Do bucks become nocturnal during the rut in areas with high hunting
pressure?
 
Does an approaching storm trigger deer activity during the rut?
 
Can barometric pressure give deer hunters insights on deer movements?
 
How often does the rutting moon repeat itself?
 
Is one, or even a few slow days on stand really indicative of a “slow” rut?
 
What are the three phases of the rut and why is it important I be aware of
them?
 
Will does come into estrous before the “rutting” moon?
 
At what point (in relation to the rutting moon) does heavy breeding begin to
occur?
 
What is the seeking phase of the rut and how long does it last?
 
What is the chasing phase of the rut and how long does it last?
 
What is the tending phase of the rut and how long does it last?
 
Which of the three phases of the rut is the toughest to hunt?
 
What deer behavior clues me in that the seeking phase of the rut has begun?
 
How many days after the full “rutting” moon can I expect to see the chasing
phase begin?
 
What is the “lockdown” period?
 
How many does will a mature buck typically breed?
 
If a doe remains in estrous for only 24 hours, why do bucks hold up with
some does much longer after breeding has occurred?
 
Why do does seem to disappear from a food plot at the end of October?
 
Is it true that in some southern states south of the 138th latitude that
there are multiple regions within a state each with different peak rut
dates?
 
Should southern deer hunters use the second, or the third, or even the
fourth full moon after the fall equinox to time the rut below the 138th
latitude?
 
How long will it take an unbred doe to cycle back into estrous?
 
Do deer rut earlier, the further north into Canada you go?
 
Will a December rut be as intense as a November rut?
 
What calls work best during the rut?
 
Will bucks respond to grunts during the rut?
 
Should I try rattling during the seeking or chasing phases of the rut?
 
Is there a rattling/calling sequence that is especially effective during the
rut?
 
How often do deer feed during the day?
 
Is mid-day hunting during the chasing phase of the rut worth the extra
effort?
 
Do doe-only hunters need to worry about when they kill their does?
 
Should hunters who kill does and bucks wait for the rut to end before
shooting does?
 
How much body weight will a typical buck lose during the rut?
 
Why does there seem to be a spike in buck activity approximately one month
following the beginning of the rut?
 
Can scents give deer hunters an advantage during the rut?
 
How does treestand location during the rut vary versus early season?
 
How can mock licking branches be used to get the best shot with a bow during
the rut?
 
Are decoys without motion effective during the rut?
 
What’s the best way to position the decoy for the best shot?
 
Why should a doe decoy be anchored solidly to the ground?
 
Why should a buck decoy be positioned facing the hunter?
 
Do rutting bucks approach a deer decoy by first circling?
 
Should a doe decoy be sprayed with scent eliminator?
 
What scent-reduction tips can I try to neutralize my breath?