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Timing your choice of lure will increase success
By Mitch Serlin*

In the deer woods today timing is everything when you are choosing which lure to use.  What we are finding out from the biologists in the field is that the deer are communicating through scent and what they are trying to achieve is a phenomenon called biostimulation of estrous.  This simply means the synchronizing of the heat, or “rut”.  This process ensures that the fawns will all be born early enough so by the time winter comes the fawns will be big enough to survive.  Species survival is the number one concern for the deer and this process is of vital importance.

To give a brief description of what hunters are seeing out there, imagine that your deer hunting spot is a rectangle with the high ground/bedding area in the middle and the low ground around the outside would be the primary food supply.  The lines of this rectangle would then represent the rub/scrape line.  During normal movement, does they will cross this barrier and become stimulated by the scents.

Understanding this phenomenon, along with knowing the phases of the rut and what they represent as far as deer activity should guide you in the choice of which type of lure to use.

The law of supply and demand is probably the easiest way to describe how to choose the scent you use.  Knowing the three phases of the rut, a hunter should try not to be one of the ninety percent of the local does in heat.  What I mean is, if it is peak rutting time and almost all of your does are in or coming into heat, do not use a doe in heat lure because you will just be one of many.  Instead use a curiosity lure that will attract both bucks and does.  The post and pre-rut are the best time to use a good quality doe in heat urine.  The reason behind this is now you are one of a few that are in heat and a buck who is trolling the woods looking for a doe to breed is more likely to be attracted to your lure.

In conclusion, a common sense approach along with some knowledge of the rutting times in your area will increase your chances of harvesting a trophy buck.  If you are unsure of the times and lengths of the rut phases in your area contact your local wildlife agent, they should have that information.  Just remember that there is a multitude of environmental and physiological factors that influence the deer activities, but if you take an educated look at these factors, your choice will be easy.  Also, remember to follow solid hunting practices and your success rate will rise.

Good Hunting.

*Mitch Serlin is a Product Specialist for In-Scents.com.

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