The first cold nights have arrived, and the days have shortened. If you are a deer hunter, this means only one thing — the rut is right around the corner. The rut, the holy grail of the deer hunting season, is when deer activity will peak and when many hunters believe their odds of harvesting a big buck are most likely. It’s a thrilling time, filled with anticipation and the promise of a successful hunt. However, there is one problem that many hunters overlook — the deer move more than at any time throughout the year. Being in the suitable stand at the right time is often as much luck as it is skill.

So, how do you stack the odds in your favor? How do you increase the chances of putting a trophy buck in front of your stand when you are there? It’s all about strategy. You stack the deck. There are several things that you can do to not only draw deer to your location but also to put them there while you are hunting. With the right tactics, you can take control of the hunt and increase your chances of success.

Timing: Multiple GPS studies confirm that deer are most active in the early morning and again in the early evening. The reason is simple: the deer need to eat. Being in your stand and ready during these times is your best strategy for bagging a big wondering buck.

Pick the right stand: Deer can be fed as many as five times in a 24-hour period. The largest meals are generally taken just before dusk or dawn. Again, it comes down to feeling safe enough to move about.

Funnel deer your way: Like most animals, deer will choose the path of least resistance. You can use this to your advantage by making the trail that leads near your stand the easiest for the deer to find and follow. Drop trees across other nearby trails. Clear brush along fence rows, making it easier for deer to jump the obstacle. If hunting on a farm, consider leaving nearby gates open and setting up a stand nearby.

Ring the bell: Deer are very vocal animals. They have a sound to signal danger, another to signal their willingness to breed, and even one to start a fight. Learning how to use calls effectively can be the final piece needed to draw a big buck into range. Of course, using the wrong call, or the right call at the wrong time, and you are likely to send every deer within earshot running the opposite direction. But with practice and knowledge, you can master this skill and boost your chances of a successful hunt.

Add a decoy: Once the rut hits, big bucks have one thing on their mind: breeding as many as possible. Adding a decoy to your bag of tools gives those bucks precisely what they want and can be very successful. Remember to place the decoy where it can be seen from many angles and where bucks approaching will offer you the best shot. Add some scent and movement as well. I like to place the scent on a white rage, which I then attach to the rear of the decoy. This allows the buck to smell what they are looking for and can add a little motion even with a slight breeze.

Good luck, good hunting.