{"id":117,"date":"2016-11-09T05:35:03","date_gmt":"2016-11-09T05:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tma65.com\/blog\/?p=117"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:38:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:38:21","slug":"still-hunting-the-rut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/still-hunting-the-rut\/","title":{"rendered":"Still Hunting the Rut"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/still-hunting-the-rut\/#Still_Hunting_the_Rut\" >Still Hunting the Rut<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/still-hunting-the-rut\/#Know_the_Landscape\" >Know the Landscape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/still-hunting-the-rut\/#Rise_Early_Stay_Late\" >Rise Early, Stay Late<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/still-hunting-the-rut\/#Step_Softly_Glass_Often\" >Step Softly, Glass Often<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/still-hunting-the-rut\/#Riflescope_With_a_Wide_Field_of_View\" >Riflescope With a Wide Field of View<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Still_Hunting_the_Rut\"><\/span>Still Hunting the Rut<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Still Hunting the Rut. The all-day sit is tough, especially if there\u2019s not a lot of deer activity in your area in general. Rolling out of a warm bed onto the cold floor, the sound of dripping coffee and a ticking clock in a silent cabin. It\u2019s the middle of the week and your <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" title=\"hunting\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"993\">hunting<\/a> buddies don\u2019t have a good job that allows the ample free time to hunt like you, so there\u2019s no one to have a conversation with or make a plan. Life of the sole rut <a title=\"30mm vs 1 Inch Rifle Scope\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/30mm-vs-1-inch-rifle-scope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunter<\/a> can be mentally, physically and emotionally draining.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">But, we have a solution. Because you know what is good for body and mind? Walking! That\u2019s why we propose still-hunting on select days during this year\u2019s rut.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Here\u2019s <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" title=\"how to\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"994\">how to<\/a> be successful in doing so:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Know_the_Landscape\"><\/span>Know the Landscape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">This could almost be an article in itself where we talk about the different types of landscapes and how to <a title=\"hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/category\/hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a> them. Perhaps in the near future. Regardless, you know you\u2019re <a title=\"Teaching Children the Importance of Hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/teaching-children-the-importance-of-hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> property and how the land lays out.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">If you\u2019re <a title=\"Getting Kids Into Hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/getting-kids-into-hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> in unfamiliar territory, take advantage of the technology at your fingertips. Quickly and easily pull up Google Earth or some other topo map on your smartphone so you can go ahead and layout your walking paths. If you\u2019re fortunate enough to have no cell service in your <a title=\"Avoiding Ticks While Hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/avoiding-ticks-while-hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> area, then plan ahead.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Look to clear cuts and large fields for the most rut activity. Try to catch bucks trailing does back to their bedding areas early in the morning and out to feed in the late afternoon. Walk with your nose in the wind, even if it\u2019s \u201cuphill both ways.\u201d<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rise_Early_Stay_Late\"><\/span>Rise Early, Stay Late<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Get to the woods early. <a title=\"hunting brand with deer head\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/tag\/hunting-brand-with-deer-head\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Deer will typically head<\/a> to higher ground in the early morning to bed. If you can get high on a hill overlooking a clear cut or even a clean hardwood ridge, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll <a title=\"How to Effectively Spot More Mule Deer\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/how-to-effectively-spot-more-mule-deer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">spot deer<\/a> making their way back up to take advantage of the thermals. By identifying their travel funnels you\u2019ll also know where to be in the evening when it\u2019s time to feed. The advantage of still <a title=\"All About Hog Hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/all-about-hog-hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> here is you can hunt areas where you may never go due to a lack of optimal trees for hanging a stand.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_Softly_Glass_Often\"><\/span>Step Softly, Glass Often<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Keep one eye on the path ahead and another on your surroundings. Opt for wet days when the crackle of leaves won\u2019t alert deer in the area of your presence. Here\u2019s when an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tractoptics.com\/products\/binoculars\/toric-binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">8x binocular<\/a>\u00a0with a wide <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/choosing-the-best-riflescope-for-deer-hunting\/\">field of view<\/a> is going to be paramount. Even in the snowy, leafless woods, deer have a tendency to blend in and slip by unnoticed.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Riflescope_With_a_Wide_Field_of_View\"><\/span>Riflescope With a Wide Field of View<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">The wide field of view should also apply to your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tractoptics.com\/products\/riflescopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">riflescope<\/a>. While half of the time you may be the first to spot a shooter, the other half means your <a title=\"5 Tips for Shooting Moving Targets\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/5-tips-for-shooting-moving-targets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">target is moving<\/a>, and quickly. Keep your scope on <a title=\"Uses for a Low Power Variable Optic\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/uses-for-a-low-power-variable-optic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">low power<\/a> as you\u2019re moving and when you must make a shot on a running buck. Remember to take a breath, exhale and squeeze the trigger.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">When you\u2019re looking for an excuse to stretch your legs and avoid an all-day sit, or spending several hours in the stand, get to walking. Bucks are chasing hard and the chance of you catching him off guard is really good.<\/p><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Still Hunting the Rut | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12276,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2258,2259],"tags":[2422,2423,2424,2425,2427,2432,2433,2435,2797,3269],"class_list":["post-117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hunting","category-hunting-rifle-scope","tag-best-hunting-binoculars-canada","tag-best-hunting-rangefinder","tag-best-hunting-scope","tag-best-hunting-scopes","tag-best-hunting-sunglasses","tag-best-lens-pen","tag-best-leupold-binoculars-for-hunting","tag-best-monocular","tag-hunting","tag-still-hunting-the-rut"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11562,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117\/revisions\/11562"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}