Should I use estrous?

I know nothing about deer hunting
But if I saw 2 nice bucks I wouldn’t change a thing

Well the wind was blowing about 15-20 mph that day

I have tried it quite a few times, and only had small bucks (1 1/2 old) come in. I do not bother with estrous scents any longer. Looking for a buck hunt where the does are, and the bucks should follow.

Did you tried making a sound like whistling to stop the buck that was close? Could have possibly given you a shot if so.

I used to use it, but it seemed to make the smaller deer more skittish. This led to them being more flighty which led to seeing less big deer. So I never really saw whether the big deer were affected or not.


I would use it again, in a dripper or on a tampon, IF I had a target buck staked out and just had not been able to get a shot under any other conditions. The estrous would be worth a shot.

But check your local laws. Using body fluids is illegal in MS, starting this year

I killed the biggest deer if my life (150”) over Tinks and he was on a Bline to it sniffing until I stopped him and made the shot. That said, outside of that, I’ve only had younger deer come into it.

I think if you use it when does aren’t hot then it will spook deer because it just doesn’t seem right. When the rut is at its peak though, that shite will work.

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why have a scent that smells like the rest of the does in the area. Get you some buck urine and start a mock scrape or better yet if you or someone kills a buck extract the urine and use the fresh stuff. You will see some bucks coming in ready to fight..

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There’s the correct answer if you’re going to use any kind of lure.

Personally, i haven’t done it in a couple seasons because I didn’t feel like I needed to but there have been several times in the past I’ve used and had bucks of all ages come out. I wouldn’t waste it on estrous but if it gives you confidence, use it.

I will tell you what’s definitely worked for us for a while during late rut: rattling. You have to be in a decent area though. Late rut the bucks or usually locked down with a doe and he’ll stay bedded with her until she’s ready to breed or you have to hope she gets up to feed, hydrate. I know where we hunt rattling will get that mature buck to come check things out and leave a doe bedding.

A lot of people are afraid to try rattling but it absolutely works in the right area.

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I will tell you what’s definitely worked for us for a while during late rut: rattling. You have to be in a decent area though

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where do you hunt?