Photo courtesy of Bill Weekley
October 26, 2023
By Jace Bauserman
Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases. November is when we burn our vacation time and go all-in on big bucks. Since we invest so much into the rut, it’s important you have the gear you need to be successful during the best time to tag a trophy. From scents to calls, decoys and everything in between, we’ve got you covered.
SCENTS VS-1 has proven its salt in the whitetail woods, and we love that Conquest has infused this aroma in easy-to-hang ThermaPads. Made from 100 percent doe estrus urine and vaginal secretions, VS-1 is collected using Synchronized Cycle Technology; and each pad is compatible with heated butane scent dispensing devices. The included resealable and reusable storage bag keeps each pad in this five-pack fresh. (conquestscents.com)
Scrapes excite whitetail hunters, and whether you’re looking to create a mock scrape or freshen an existing one, Golden Scrape from Wildlife Research Center should be your go-to. Charged with Scent Reflex Technology to create a more positive response, Golden Scrape contains the perfect blend of Golden Estrus and new-to- the-area buck scents. Plus, subtle tones of fresh earth and Territorial Musk only strengthen this mixture. (wildlife.com)
New from the minds at Tink’s and sure to drive rutting bucks wild is Peak30. What makes Peak30 different from other estrous scents is the timeframe of collection. Whitetail does have a 28-day cycle, and during days 17-22, there is a five-day period where the doe comes into heat. Within that five-day range is a one- or two-day window when the doe is in peak heat (standing estrus). This is when Peak30 is collected. (tinks.com)
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A pad soaked in ultra-fresh estrus urine then freeze-dried, Mrs. Doe Pee’s Game Changer brings rutting bucks in close. The power-packed 2.5 x 3.5-inch pad is sealed for freshness in a mylar bag, meaning it will work for years. Reactivated by moisture in the air when the seal is broken and the pad is hung, the Game Changer works great over a mock scrape or on a drag. (mrsdoepee.com)
Deer use their ultra-musky tarsal glands to identify other ungulates in the area. Buck Tarsal Gland from Code Blue contains a whole tarsal gland soaked in pure buck urine, and the package is resealable. The gland comes with a zip tie, which means hanging it from a tree branch is quick and mess-free. While the Buck Tarsal Gland can be used throughout the season, it can be dynamite during the rut. (codebluescents.com)
Fresh from the hills of West Virginia, Smokey’s Deer Lures’ Wicked Wicks is a deadly compound for whitetail bucks. Wicked Wicks is designed to be used on mock scrapes, existing scrapes, and rope scrapes. Coming in a 4.25-ounce bottle, Wicked Wicks is one of the most highly developed buck pre-orbital gland compounds on the market. (smokeysdeerlure.com)
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CALLS AND DECOYS The Posturing Buck from Dave Smith Decoys is a realistic as a decoy can be. The detail in the buck's paint and finish provides a life-like appearance, and it comes with a stake to hold the decoy steady during those windy, November days. Made in the U.S., this buck decoy is ultra-durable and attractive to rutting whitetails. (davesmithdecoys.com)
The original Buck Roar was a win, and version 2.0 is even better! Primos engineers have repositioned the barrel, reed and enhancer fit to create easy-to-make, varied-tone grunts. Hunters can replicate the sound of an aggressive snort wheeze by inserting a baffle into the wheeze and trumpeting the exit. A comfortable wrist strap allows hands-free operation, and this call will enable you to create all buck sounds. (primos.com)
The original True Talker was the demise of many gagger bucks, and the True Talker OG is even better. The soft rubber exterior ensures exact grip and increased call control in all weather conditions, allowing volume manipulation and direction of sound governance. With The OG, hunters can quickly produce mature buck grunts, young buck grunts, doe bleats and fawn sounds. You can dominate the whitetail woods with this one call. (hunterspec.com)
A fold-up, bow-mounted decoy that gets results, the Stalker Whitetail Deer Decoy by Ultimate Predator will change how you hunt. Not only does this less-than-10-ounce decoy look like the real thing, but it mounts to the limb pockets of your bow via multiple attachment systems. The shoot-through window provides visibility, and your sight and stabilizer fit easily through it, meaning you stay concealed behind the decoy when shooting. Slap a doe decoy on your bow, set out a 3-D buck and become part of the decoy setup. You can also purchase a pair of antlers and transform this doe decoy into a buck. (ultimatepredatorgear.com)
Custom grunt calls are a win, and when it comes to a quality custom build, you won’t find much better than those from Duck Creek. The Brown Bradford 23/75’s brown-dyed and stabilized Bradford pear wood is fitted with a gold band. It’s an out-of-the- box stunner that sounds great and allows you to make all types of grunt tones. The call comes with a custom lanyard, and Duck Creek is the trusted call maker of North American Whitetail TV. (duckcreekcc.com)
ACCESSORIES The RazorBone 5.0 replaceable blade boning knife from Outdoor Edge is an ultra-sharp and convenient processing knife. Lightweight and compact, the RazorBone folds to a safe and easy- to-carry size. Coming with three 3.5-inch drop-point blades, two 5-inch boning blades and a gutting blade, the RazorBone 5.0 will easily handle the processing on your trophy buck from start to finish. (outdooredge.com)
The second generation of this bow case, Easton’s Bowtruk Gen 2 is a bow fort on wheels. Showcasing a brand-new look, the Gen 2 comes in a trio of sizes and features three Outside-In pockets that make key compartments accessible from the exterior. The outer shell is TPU-Coated 1680D ballistic nylon — the same material used for military body armor. And the twin oversized sealed-bearing skate wheels allow easy transport. An included Trailer- hitch strap allows you to attach other bags, and the 16 x 47-inch Bowtruk holds a pair of bows up to 47 inches long. With room for all your accessories and clothing, this is the only bow case you’ll ever need. (eastonarchery.com)
An excellent choice for the go-light whitetail hunter, Mystery Ranch’s Treehouse 16 is hydration compatible, has compression straps to hold your weapon of choice, and showcases an ultra-hushed custom fleece exterior. The pack includes a quick-attach strap for wrapping around a tree, and the internal, zippered, mesh pocket on the body panel holds plenty of extra gear. Other must- note amenities include stretch fabric pockets and a quiet, Cotna fabric interior. The total pack volume is 975 cubic inches. (mysteryranch.com)
Covert’s MP30 is one of the best quality and priced standard trail cameras on the market. Dubbed the MP30 because of its ability to take 30-megapixel photos, this camera has a 0.2-second trigger speed and captures 4K video. Not to be overlooked, the MP30 has a 2.4-inch display screen, allowing you to take test photos in the field and optimize the camera’s positioning. With an 80-foot detection range, the MP30 is a great camera. (feradyne.com)
No matter your style of whitetail hunting, you can’t go wrong with ALPS’ DeadQuiet Shield Bino Harness. The harness keeps your pricy glass safe and protected on the inside, and the outside consists of a fleece exterior that prevents game-spooking noise. MOLLE webbing has been integrated into both sides of the harness, and these slots are great for wind checkers and other need-close-at-hand items. (alpsoutdoorz.com)
Rut hunting can be an all-day affair, so you’ll want some snacks. A go-to of the North American Whitetail TV crew is Old Trapper’s Beef Jerky Case of eight. For a reasonable price, you get eight 1/4-pound bags of tasty, protein-rich beef snacks to keep your stomach full. When your stomach is happy, you can stay in the woods longer, increasing your chances of encountering a trophy buck. (oldtrapper.com)
A revolutionary do-all powder designed to drop bucks where they stand, Hodgdon Triple 7 granulated muzzleloading propellant is top-of-the-line. There are no strong smells from sulfur in this product. Hodgdon Triple 7 Granular Powder comes available in an easy-to-use, 1-pound container. (hodgdon.com)
The Mercedes of gun cases, Plano’s Field Locker Element Double Gun Case was designed to keep a pair of firearms with optics safe. Weather, drop and shock resistant, the Element Double Gun showcases watertight seals, double-density foam and industrial drawn-down latches, making it a fortress. TSA-approved, the Element’s interior dimensions of 54 x 15 x 6.4 inches provide plenty of space. (planooutdoors.com)
We love Ozonics, and while every Ozonics product is a good one, our current go-to is the HR500. Featuring all the same modes that have made other Ozonics models such a hit (Boost, STD, DriWash and Hyper Boost), the HR500 promises to be 40 percent quieter in Boost mode. The new app, which is super easy to use, allows hands-free operation. Open the app, pair your unit and change the HR500’s settings without ever having to move around in your stand or blind. The HR500 also comes with a handheld remote, and the unit’s ergonomics and attach-to-tree devices sport a rubber over-mold designed to keep things stealthy. (ozonicshunting.com)
The Packable Hoist and Gambrel System is perfect for hanging up your trophy buck! With a max weight of 1,000 pounds, there isn’t a whitetail buck on Earth that this system can’t handle. Not to be outdone, the included 25-foot nylon rope and the 8:1 pulley ratio allow you to hoist even the biggest bodied whitetails into the air all on your own. The all-steel construction has a powder coat finish, and if you live in a state where supplemental feeding is allowed, the system comes with forward facing hooks that can hold a 30-gallon feeder. (moultriefeeders.com)
