WTNUT
5 year old buck +
First, I don't know Don, and would not recognize him in a lineup. We communicated some in the "old nameless forum" in connection with a few threads. I seem to recall us sparring on at least one issue, but don't recall for certain. I seem to think it was over the use of minerals in connection with wild free ranging whitetails. Therefore, we are not buddies, not enemies, and I would call him out if I thought he were way off base.
However, his article "Debunking Rut Myths" was published in the November issue of North American Whitetail. In my opinion ( which is normally worth one half of one cent ) it is the best and most accurate article ever published in a hunting magazine ( counting the ones I have read which are a lot over 40 years ).
If you have not read it, take the time to read it. I don't have a captive heard of deer, but I have some really nice farms where deer probably live in more of an undisturbed and ideal setting than 99 percent of the whitetail habitat in the U.S. Everything he writes and every opinion in that article is spot on in my experience. I also think so many of the freelance writers, T.V. personalities, and others in "the industry" are bought and paid for and will offer any opinion that might be needed. My favorite part is where he acknowledges he almost did not include the section on very few "new [mature] bucks" show up during the rut.
Many have killed more Boone and Crocket bucks than I. But, I can hold my own with most when it comes to the number of B&C whitetails harvested. If you want to learn about the rut, read his article and ignore the rest.
By way of example, I have had three really great bow hunters at my best farm the last few days. I know it has four B&C bucks calling it home most of the time, many more mature bucks, and probably over 40 deer per square mile on that property. We hunted four days with the full moon and super hot temperatures (November 3-6) and saw a spike, a four point, and two does between the four of us from the stand. Trail cams showed nearly every deer was active, but only at night. The activity was consistent with what we always see during the first 6 days of November, but it was taking place entirely at night.
I too was swept off my feet with the moon guide for a period of time, and I do have a lot of respect for Charles Alsheimer. However, when I took a step back and looked at the bigger picture I agreed with Don. The amount of daylight was trigger the rut and it was taking place at the same time every year. Other factors determined whether I witnessed the various phases.
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However, his article "Debunking Rut Myths" was published in the November issue of North American Whitetail. In my opinion ( which is normally worth one half of one cent ) it is the best and most accurate article ever published in a hunting magazine ( counting the ones I have read which are a lot over 40 years ).
If you have not read it, take the time to read it. I don't have a captive heard of deer, but I have some really nice farms where deer probably live in more of an undisturbed and ideal setting than 99 percent of the whitetail habitat in the U.S. Everything he writes and every opinion in that article is spot on in my experience. I also think so many of the freelance writers, T.V. personalities, and others in "the industry" are bought and paid for and will offer any opinion that might be needed. My favorite part is where he acknowledges he almost did not include the section on very few "new [mature] bucks" show up during the rut.
Many have killed more Boone and Crocket bucks than I. But, I can hold my own with most when it comes to the number of B&C whitetails harvested. If you want to learn about the rut, read his article and ignore the rest.
By way of example, I have had three really great bow hunters at my best farm the last few days. I know it has four B&C bucks calling it home most of the time, many more mature bucks, and probably over 40 deer per square mile on that property. We hunted four days with the full moon and super hot temperatures (November 3-6) and saw a spike, a four point, and two does between the four of us from the stand. Trail cams showed nearly every deer was active, but only at night. The activity was consistent with what we always see during the first 6 days of November, but it was taking place entirely at night.
I too was swept off my feet with the moon guide for a period of time, and I do have a lot of respect for Charles Alsheimer. However, when I took a step back and looked at the bigger picture I agreed with Don. The amount of daylight was trigger the rut and it was taking place at the same time every year. Other factors determined whether I witnessed the various phases.
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