Northeast Rut Report, Week 7: The Lockdown Blues

This past week might go down in the books—not as a highlight reel of November hunting, but as one of the more challenging stretches we've faced during the 2024 hunting season. If there’s one story that sums it up perfectly, it’s a quick call I had with my buddy Alex. When he picked up the phone, his voice carried a noticeable slump. Concerned, I asked, “What’s wrong, partner—everything okay?” His response? “I’ve been hunting…” That, my friends, is all you need to know about how the last 10 days have gone for many of us. “I understand…,” I said.

Reports from across the Northeast—and beyond—tell a similar story: frustration, confusion, and a whole lot more head-scratching. Camera activity has slowed to a near halt for some, deer sightings have been sparse, and when hunters do catch sight of movement, it’s often lone fawns wandering through the woods.

It’s a classic symptom of the dreaded lockdown phase—a period when does hit peak estrous, and bucks become laser-focused on breeding, taking them to secluded haunts to perform the rites of autumn. The 24- to 48-hour retreat takes them to the most hidden pockets leaving hunters feeling like the woods are suddenly void of life. Some are even questioning if the entire deer population is in decline in their area.

Even the National Deer Association has addressed this lull in recent articles, highlighting just how widespread this phenomenon can be. It’s a tough time to hunt, no doubt about it, but it’s also a predictable piece of the rut cycle—an obstacle to endure, not overcome. You have to be there to make it happen and such is the case as detailed in several of this week’s highlights.

That said, it hasn’t been all doom and gloom. I heard from Jason, a fellow hunter here in New York, who managed to punch his tag on a heavy-framed 8-point buck the first part of this past week. The deer was locked onto a doe, chasing her along the edges of thick cover when it wandered a little too close to Jason’s stand. At just 14 yards, the buck presented a picture-perfect opportunity, and Jason made it count, sending a well-placed arrow through the buck’s heavy chest. His hunt took place just ahead of a strong storm front, a reminder that even in lockdown, weather can play a huge role in stirring things up.

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One common theme emerged among those who did find success this week: location and patience were everything. A good friend of mine and reporter from NY and PA put it plainly, “If you’re seeing does, you’re seeing bucks. If you’re not, you’re in for some frustration.” That seemed to be the story for most of us—the woods felt more frustrating than fruitful. Hunters who focused their efforts near thick bedding cover or remote sanctuaries fared better, especially those willing to commit to extended sits.

All-day hunts paid dividends for a few, but for the majority, it was a waiting game without much payoff. Personally, I laid eyes on one of my target bucks just out of range as he limped through an overgrown rut field and then into the adjacent thick timber. I couldn’t help but fear the worst, that he was injured from a fight or worse yet, took an ill-placed arrow while covering country in search of the next hot doe.

Adding to the challenge, the moon phase didn’t do us any favors. Under the last quarter leading up to a full moon, deer activity tends to slow during daylight hours in my experience. Combine that with the typical trials of lockdown, and you’ve got a recipe for frustration.

Looking ahead, brighter days are on the horizon although several firearm seasons are opening and will open in the coming weeks creating a divergent change in deer patterns and movement. While the lockdown phase can test our patience, it’s also a sign that some good action is yet to come—post-lockdown where a flurry of chaos and the second wave of seeking—is just around the corner. Bucks will soon leave their secluded hideouts, eager to search for the next receptive doe, or in an effort to rebuild after the rigors of the rut. In this phase, the woods will come alive once more, and personally I can't wait. And I’m not alone.

For now, the key is persistence. Hunt near security cover, on seams where food and cover are close or along terrain or habitat features that conceal deer and their movements. A prescription to maximize your time in the field should be taken daily if possible. The biggest thing to remember is that even when it feels like the deer have vanished, they’re still out there and the population is just fine. All it takes is one moment, one opportunity, to turn a slow week into the memory of a lifetime. Stay in the game, stay optimistic, and keep grinding—it’s still November, and anything can happen.