Travis Lee, an experienced whitetail hunter in Alabama, defines the pre-rut, when bucks start splitting up, working scrapes, and searching for does. He emphasizes the importance of hunting during cold front days, as bucks will often move to green food sources on those days. Travis also discusses the value of using trail cameras to pattern mature bucks and their bedding areas. He is not as focused on scrapes as he is on finding big rubs near bedding areas.

The group also discusses the use of calls and scents during the pre-rut. Travis has had success with using a snort-wheeze call to attract mature bucks, while he is more cautious about using rattling and scents, as he wants to avoid pressuring the deer too much. The conversation highlights the importance of managing hunting pressure, especially on private or leased land, to maximize success during the pre-rut period.