The 3 Stages of the Mule Deer Rut: How to Hunt Each One – Remi Warren
The rut. The time of year when mule deer bucks come out of the woodwork, throw caution to the wind, and present opportunities you might not see the rest of the season.
But not all parts of the rut are created equal. I like to break the rut down into three stages based on buck behavior rather than dates. Understanding these stages and adjusting your tactics can make a huge difference in your success.
Stage 1: The Cruising Stage
The cruising stage typically starts in early November throughout much of the Rocky Mountain West, although timing varies by location.
This is when bucks emerge from their October hideouts and start covering country looking for does. Younger bucks often start moving first, followed by the mature bucks.
The best part of this stage is that anything can show up anywhere.
My favorite tactic is to find a good vantage point and glass a large expanse of country. I focus on finger ridges, open hillsides, and natural travel corridors. I’ve watched multiple bucks cross the same hillside over several days, likely using the same travel routes or following scent.
One thing to remember: when you find a cruising buck you want to act fast and get on it now. During this stage, don’t count on finding the same buck tomorrow. Make a move and make it quick.
Stage 2: The Challenge Stage
As the rut heats up, bucks begin concentrating around does, chasing, fighting, and establishing dominance.
This is when I shift my strategy from looking for bucks to finding pockets of does.
A few years back, I was hunting a heavily timbered unit with low deer densities. After spotting a cruising buck that I never relocated, I changed tactics and identified three separate groups of does.
I kept checking those same groups over the following days. Eventually, a big buck moved into one of those pockets, and I was able to take a 185-inch typical with my bow during rifle season.
The key wasn’t finding that particular buck. It was finding the does that attracted a mature buck.
I call particularly active groups of does buck magnets. As does get close to coming into heat, bucks start showing up, competing, and attracting even more bucks.
Find several of these pockets and keep checking them. The activity can change throughout the day, and a mature buck might show up at any time.
Stage 3: The Tending Stage
Eventually, the action seems to slow down. Bucks begin pulling does away from larger groups and staying with them until they’re ready to breed.
Some hunters call this the lockdown stage.
You might see fewer bucks moving, but that doesn’t mean the rut is over. The deer are simply more scattered and spending more time in cover.
I like to think about my rut strategy this way:
As the deer move more, I can move less. As the deer move less, I have to move more.
During the tending stage, I focus on bedding areas near known doe pockets, combining glassing with still-hunting through thicker country.
The advantage is that once you locate a buck tending a doe, he may remain in that area for a day or two. Unlike a cruising buck, there’s a good chance you can relocate him and plan your approach.
Hunt the Behavior, Not the Calendar
Every mule deer herd is different. Low-density areas might produce more cruising, while areas with more bucks competing for does can have an intense challenge stage.
The three stages also overlap, so pay attention to what the deer are actually doing rather than getting hung up on dates.
The bottom line is simple: When bucks are cruising, glass big country. When they’re challenging, focus on doe pockets. When they’re tending, hunt the cover.
Understand the behavior, adjust your tactics, and let the rut work in your favor.