Without going into a detailed description of the behavior of males and females during the rut, we have noted for ourselves a few facts that directly affect the strategy and tactics of your hunting.
The first half of the rut is less successful for hunting with a decoy, than the second. This is explained by the fact that at the beginning of the rut, males still have enough females, which allows males to inseminate themselves. Male movements are less active. There is less competition for does, so there are fewer reasons for fighting between males, and the reaction to grazing doe decoys is worse.
At the beginning of the rut, females produce odorous substances that provoke the specific behavior of the males. Does in the second year of life start to attract males earlier, then adult females. Males approach females during the rut (females are in a rut for three to five days). The male chases the female. The male deer do not form harems but stays with the female as long as she is in a rut. After that, he looks for another female. Sometimes the male meets such a female accidentally, but more often, he has to win her in an active struggle with a rival.