Opinions on midwest travel dates. What would you do?

[rstallings1979]

Lets say you have flexibility and have 9-10 days to choose with the following weather patterns...

Oct 27th-Nov 4th you have most days where temps get as low as high 20s low 30s for lows and highs are upper 40s and low to mid 50s.

Nov 2nd- Nov 12th. Half the time is mid 60s for highs and mid 40s for lows. Only two or three days of those dates get into the mid 50s for highs and low 30s.

What would you do?

 

[TJay]

That's a tough one. The cold temps are tempting, but it would still be pre rut. You would pretty much be in the rut on the next set of dates but the temps are bit warmer. The second set of dates hosts the new moon on the 13th. I think I'd go Nov 2nd thru Nov 12th. Those temps could change between now and then too.

 

[Mike 65]

We are leaving 11-5 or 6 and return on 11-22. Unless we tag.

 

[Dbender]

Weather isn't that critical. I'd go for the later date. I've been going for years killed them in a t-shirt and killed them bundled up like an Eskimo. Run the risk of more standing corn earlier you go, plus the prime time is in nov.

 

[Dbender]

Pull up a local processors face book page that posts photos and scroll for a min and the decision will be obvious

 

[Jim Thompson]

I hate (harsh I know) the inconsistencies of October. I'll be there over the next couple of weeks but the whole time I am looking forward to November

 

[OffTheBeatnPath]

I've seen a lot of deer on their feet on the front and backside of the typical rut window when the temps drop like that. Also have hit it good when they are rockin and rollin n that window and it's awesome to be n a tree..
If a front moves through and the temps drop drastically like that I would be tearing out n Oct.

 

[bilgerat]

Im headed up for Nov 8th thru the 15th , dont care if its 20 below or 70 Ill be in a tree in the hopes of tagging out on a mid-west beast. Well unless I put a tag on a beast this weekend with the muzzle loader

 

[mar0311]

I have a personal favorite Oct 27 thru Nov 4 cause the Deer Gods have been good to me!! Good Huntin Boys..

 

[flatwoods]

I see very little when it's hot no matter the date.
I'd take cool weather over a certain date.
That's always hard to predict.
They are getting ready though.
Pic from this morning.

 

[Gadestroyer74]

That's a tough one. The cold temps are tempting, but it would still be pre rut. You would pretty much be in the rut on the next set of dates but the temps are bit warmer. The second set of dates hosts the new moon on the 13th. I think I'd go Nov 2nd thru Nov 12th. Those temps could change between now and then too.

This

 

[notnksnemor]

11/2 to 11/12 if it's Ks/Ok/Ne area.

 

[Kris87]

I'd need to know more. Are you bowhunting? What state and what kind of terrain? I can tell you I hate the full on peak of the rut as a bowhunter. I'd rather take the week before, or the two weeks after full on chasing. Its much more difficult IMO to kill a buck with a bow when he's chasing or locked down. I personally like Nov 10-20th a whole bunch. I think that is the best time for new bucks to show up and the bucks are looking for their 3rd, 4th, maybe 5th doe. They are on their feet the most in that time period.

 

[antharper]

Go both ! Problem solved

 

[Jim Boyd]

I am going 28 Oct this year through about the 10th or 11th - and hoping for cool weather - so I would choose Option A.

I think what is equally important is how HARD you hunt and how well you stay on the stand.

I have seen some hunts get really blown because of rain, wind etc.

I have been guilty of same.

I have also accidentally pulled a rabbit from a hat a few times and mostly, it was dogged determination that got it done.

When my focus lags, the wheels fall off.


Best of luck to all!

 

[livetohunt]

I hunted West Central Illinois for years and around Nov 7th -11th always seemed slow with lock down. With the weather you mentioned I'd definitely go on the earlier dates.

 

[Swamprat]

If it is rut time who cares, 70% of my biggest bucks have been shot when it was 70 plus degrees out

Others have been mid morning around 50-55 degrees

January 3rd 2020 and about 74 degrees out, North Florida

 

[Swamprat]

Keep in mind that those temps that far out are mostly predicted off of historical averages

Could be close or opposite extremes