HUNTING THE LULL TRANSITION
At this point, tired, wary bucks begin to slow down, trying to recharge their batteries. They'll typically bed close to remaining food sources in an effort to regain and conserve energy from the exhausting breeding period. Going back to a textbook feeding-to-bedding setup is about the only way to connect with a buck during the lull transition. The good news is that food sources during this period are limited, which makes patterning whitetails much easier than earlier in the season. Intercepting a buck traveling to and from feeding and bedding areas can be highly effective, but don't get too comfortable with this strategy because things are about to change again.

HUNTING THE SECONDARY RUT
Any doe that was not successfully bred during the first breeding transition of the rut will hit another estrous cycle about 28 days later. Also, young yearling does will experience their first estrous cycle about this same time, which is known as the secondary rut transition. This breeding period usually will not be as intense as the first, but the availability of a limited amount of estrous does can create a competitive environment among dominant bucks still looking to breed.

Consequently, tactics that previously produced during the first breeding transition will work again for hunters who are not willing to throw in the towel just yet. I like to set up near doe bedding areas that are located close to a late-season food source. Next, I will place a single doe decoy and apply estrous scent in a 360-degree circle. About every half-hour I'll use doe estrous bleats mixed with some tending grunts. This secondary rut strategy enabled me to take one of my better bucks during the late season with my bow at point-blank range.

HUNTING THE POST-RUT TRANSITION
The last transitional period can be one of the easiest times to pattern and shoot a trophy-class buck. During the post-rut or late-season transition, bucks are more predictable than at any other time of the year. Due to the fact that remaining food sources are limited and cold weather will dictate where bucks bed and when they will stare. A limited amount of hunting pressure also places bucks in a more relaxed state, creating a window of opportunity for hunters who refuse to call it quits.

Remaining late-season food sources located near low-lying, sheltered thickets can be prime places to hang a stand. Bucks are now focusing on survival and will not travel as far to feed in order to save energy. I like to be in the stand prior to a winter storm or frontal period hitting an area. During these periods, deer will be on the move and will feed heavily before the weather takes a turn for the worse. Another great time to be in the stand is right after the weather breaks. Bucks that were holding up in thick cover during the storm will break out to feed when temperatures start to rise again and the storm has passed. The late season can be the perfect time to tag a buck that was smart enough to escape all of the earlier hunting pressure. Imagine what kind of rack this bruiser will be packing!

This year, you can rely on luck and hope you're sitting in the right stand, or completely change the way you hunt during the rut. Having a complete game plan for hunting throughout each transitional period will dramatically increase your chances of connecting with a buck of a lifetime. There is no doubt that being able to adapt and customize your strategies to meet transitional changes in deer behavior will enable you to tag bruiser bucks on a regular basis.