So I am coming down from Alaska on the 19th. Going to hunt with my son until the 26th somewhere in Menard county. Not exactly sure where.

If I could bring a couple items or tactics to capitlize on the rut, what would they be???

Need help from all the experience on here as I am better at killing bears than whitetails!

Thanks all
Jason

I have a place to the north of Menard. The rut should be in full swing there. Do you know if the place you are hunting is going to have feeders and stands?

Make sure you have rattling horns, grunt tube, and a T-shirt. Weather could be anywhere from 25 degrees to 80 degrees this time of year.

get a bag of corn and a bag of horse & mule feed. Mix a few scoops of each in a bucket and chum your sight paths (senderos) before each hunt. That will increase your chances as good as anything

X2

If the rut is in full swing, you will need the does to congregate around a food source. Keep in mind when you see a buck, you will not have a lot of time to take a shot. They have one thing and one thing only on their mind. This is the time when the smart mature bucks become stupid and they will offer you a shot that you might not have during the bachelor period or post rut.

your right about the T-shirt

Last weekend was crazy. Get on the stand before daylight and it was in the mid 30's. After a while, it was over 80. I'm glad no one else was around, but honestly, I ended up sitting in my box blind Saturday afternoon in nothing but my socks, boxer drawers, and an undershirt. It was that hot.

Wow.
Still getting excited. Going to be packed this weekend. Anymore tips or tactics for this hunt would be appreciated.
I can trade some tips for hunting up here in Alaska!

Keep the wind in your face and don't be scared to ease around in the pasture if it is possible. Also hunt close to Liveoak trees because we have a bumper crop of acorns and deer love them.

Corn and more corn. Deer down there will actually come running to the sound of a feeder going off. Food is so limited, they have learned what that sound is and will come to it.