"Lockdown" in the forecast

It has truly been a wonderful experience to watch how the season is changing before our eyes. Just 10 days ago, a cold snap spurred the most impressive display of fresh scrapes and rubs I have in my notes. Buck movement during daylight hours has also soared over the last few weeks as we have been steadily progressing through the early rut phases. Bucks have gone from wandering and searching to a more focused chasing and shadowing of the does. The "Chase" phase will likely blend with and transition to the "Peak Breeding" phase this week in Iowa (Nov. 15th-20th). Once this phase is underway, hunters will notice a sharp decline in deer activity as they hunker down with ready does.

This phenomena, known as "lockdown," can be a very frustrating time to hunt and I'm predicting it to happen this week and linger on into the weekend. In some parts of the state this could be less noticeable, especially in areas where the Doe to Buck ratio is skewed. A healthy herd is considered to be around a 2:1 ratio, but areas I have hunted appear to have a much more lop-sided ratio than that. When competition for does is low, movement can still be high as bucks have their work cut out for them. So be prepared to practice a lot of patience hunting this week. This phase of the rut can create an eerie silence in your neck of the woods. If you're in a good spot, that silence will be shattered occasionally as bucks move from doe to doe, but the wait in between can be quite long. One things for sure, if you're not seeing deer, move! Use last weeks wet snow/rain as an asset and find those tracks in the mud. Determine heavily used areas (not just trails) and set up for a NW wind or a S wind. Also, consider spot and stalking. During "lockdown" I'll often leave the stand disssappointed only to see dominant bucks in unconventional spots - a lone tree in the middle of a field or some patchy brush along a terrace. Here, they've often pinned down a ready doe and are protecting her from his competiton. It can be a tough time to hunt, but if you adapt you'll be successful.

Some of the coldest air yet this season will be blasting in later Tuesday dropping that mercury for Wednesday and Thursday. Strong winds like those in the forecast can make great conditions to sneak up on a bruiser. A stand with a high vantage can be a great asset too for on the fly scouting and observation. I'll use one to locate deer, track their movement and then plot a stalk if the wind/conditions permit. We will have another cold surge starting Sunday. I am hopeful that this Canadian cold air and high pressure combination will offset the negative side-effects of the "Peak Breeding" rut phase. One thing's for sure, I'll be out when and where I can. The rut is an unpredictable, fascinating thing to be a part of, so go enjoy it if you have a chance!