If you've been around the Australian hunting or bow-hunting scene then Brett Meldrum is no stranger to you. Brett has been kind enough to share his experiences and tips coming into the 2025 rut.
Brett is regularly keeping everyone updated on his hunting adventures on Instagram and YouTube — be sure to drop him a follow.
Q — Morning or afternoon hunts, what do you think has a better return?
A — I prefer mornings for the action watching the bucks all fired up but have also loved hunting them during the day when they're bedded in their scrapes.
Q — When would you start/stop rattling?
A — Normally start rattling when the bucks are scraping up, usually around here (Central NSW) the second to third week of March. I'd definitely stop when seeing bucks with does.
Q — Any tips on where to find scrapes?
A — Around here I usually find them on the tops of lightly wooded undulating hills, even out in the open! Usually they will be under low branches that they will use as preaching trees. Then there are other times when I end up finding them in the thick scrub.
Q — When do the big boys start rutting?
A — Usually mid to late rut. I've never seen the big boys come out early when all the noise first starts. I've only had a couple of instances here with big fellas coming out in the open — I usually find the bigger boys in the thicker stuff.
Q — When you find rubs/scrapes/beds etc, does your scent push them off the area for long?
A — I haven't really noticed it in scrapes and rubs. There's that much going on they don't seem to notice. I've only really seen does react to walking over my scent trail. The bucks only have one thing on their minds.
Q — Do reds and fallows rut around the same areas or will they be more spread out?
A — I've never seen them personally rutting near each other, but that can be different elsewhere due to high populations. Generally they don't seem to mix together.
Q — Will a buck come back to fresh scrapes and rub trees — is that their area?
A — Yes, most bucks will have a scrape/rub line they hit repeatedly throughout the rut.
Q — If you only had 3 days to hunt the rut, would you go early, mid or late?
A — Between mid to late.
Q — If you had to pick a date, when is your rut kick-off date on average over the years?
A — Usually hit it hardest the third week of April.
Check out the film Chasing the Last Croak for a first-hand look at hunting late in the rut.
Q — What is your preferred method, rattling or grunting?
A — Early rut I like to rattle while they're getting their scrapes sorted, then later into the rut I'll croak and doe call. Normally use the croak as a locator then get in close and use a doe call to get them in.
Q — For someone who's never seen deer before, what would be the best tip to find activity?
A — Start walking. Put in the miles, get up high and glass. Speaking to the property owner is also invaluable — they'd be seeing the deer more than most.
Q — Fallow are around but barely visible unless it's dark. Is walking through thick scrub the best way to find them?
A — You've got to be careful bashing around the scrub — you can push them out if you bump them enough. Best to go in not too far and sit and listen to try to locate them that way first.
Q — When is too early to rattle?
A — Depends on what the deer in your area are doing. If you find active scrapes, start having a rattle.
Q — There is only one buck in the area — will he still croak?
A — Yes, they communicate with the girls by croaking also.
Q — Do bucks stay with does until August?
A — The bucks won't be too far away. Some does cycle twice and might cycle late — this will keep the bucks around.
Q — Front-on shots are tricky — where do I aim?
A — You have to aim a bit higher than you think to get into the diaphragm.