Now that alot of us are at least 1/4 done with the season, how has it been? Pics, videos, stories all welcome :D Anybody noticing any trends? Or having luck trying new/old tactics?
Seeing much more than I expected. I intended on whacking a couple does early, but to be honest, I'm seeing too many nice bucks right now, and I'm not feeling shooting a doe yet. I've seen: a 5.5, two 4.5s (one of which I let walk 5 times last year), two 3.5s, and one future STUD 2.5 year old (Grunted him in to look at him, he came 10 steps from my stand, let him walk) The 5.5 (160+ 10 point) came in from 400 yards out, my shooting lane was cut at 30 yards. He stopped at 32. Doe got his attention and he turned the away. Damn it! The 4.5 (130-140") I saw that I let walk last year, I spotted him about 150 yards out in a weed patch rubbing trees. Grunted, bleated, no dice. He's still there and I'm pumped. The other of the 4.5s (155-160" ish) came in on me, was waiting for him to step into my shooting lane at 25 yards and his little buddy (fork) came into the field and got spooked by the combine. So they turned and walked away. Damn it! The 3.5s I saw (both 120-130") stayed out of range as well. One came in to about 45 yards walked past me, the other I tried a spot and stalk on, but he was moving too fast and I couldn't keep up.
Tx- Seeing more buck activity. No shooter yet, but I've seen three of the eight or so bucks we had on trailcams during the summer. Also seeing more does this year. Overall the population seems to be doing much better than last year. In fact, it seems over the last four years the population has just about doubled every year. Ok- I didn't know what to expect when I began hunting the property this year. I'm averaging eight deer per sit. To me, thats awesome! I have seen smaller bucks (all under 100 inches) and tons of doe. I just haven't been able to connect with a doe. I've passed a few time, but the next one in bow range is getting whacked Overall, one of my best years as far as deer sightings go
been terrible so far.....for me anyways. Everyone else in my family is seeing nice bucks. I'm having trouble just getting a doe to come within bow range
I'll play. I haven't hunted much in 2009 yet. Time restraints have just kept me out of the woods. About 7 weeks in and I've only visited the woods 7 times I think.. not counting when I film.. that's another 4 times behind the camera. It's go-time now however.. Just got back from vacation with the wife and am ready to put the game face on and hunt. And hunt.. I shall.
Its been great, seeing a lot of deer, got one on the ground. I have passed on more deer this season then ever before! I just wish it would stay colder, to hell with these warm last few days in the mid 50's!
I'm with Mike - I haven't hunted much either. I have a total of 7 sits with a bow in hand, and 2 behind the camera not counting my weekend with Todd in September. Of those 7 sits I've had the opportunity to shoot deer 3 times, all of which have been does or young bucks. One of those times I elected to shoot, and now have a deer at the local butcher I need to pick up. Haven't been out enough to have seen any trends. In fact, I've barely been out enough to feel like I have all of my gear in order the way I want it. However, it is time to get serious and really start hunting harder. Watching scent control better, watching the wind and which stands we're in, sitting longer, etc etc. The next 3 weeks will make or break our season, and I don't like eating buck tags. Let the arrows fly.
The weather has been great, however I can't say the same for my hunting abilities. I saw more deer last year in my first 2 sits than I have all season so far. I did however have a stud 10 pointer trot by me within range. Over the last 4 years I have had a close call with at least 1 shooter each year. Hopefully this wasn't my only one for the year. I have seen exactly 11 deer so far, all coming within 2 hunts. 4 were 1.5 year old bucks, 1 was a 4.5 year old 10 pointer, and the remaining 6 were does/fawns.
ive seen six deer on stand this year and taken one, not one single buck... course ive not got to hunt as much do to work and they are cutting hay late this year in my best spots...
This year has been slow for some reason. Could be all of the crops still in the fields and a good acorn crop have the deer more scattered. Mornings have really sucked, 2 deer in 8 sits. I see deer on most evening hunts, just not the deer I want to shoot yet. I have seen 1 buck so far that I would have shot. Lots of small bucks and does. It should really start to pick up in the next couple of weeks. Scrapes showed uyp everywhere last week. That is a good sign. About a week and a half later than last year.
Out of only 7 sits (due to family and work) here are my numbers so far. Sits-7 Deer seen-8 Bucks-1 Doe&fawn-7 1.143 average deer per sit. 60% of them being in the evening. Other tidbits include having a bad/scary experience with a squirrel hunter and loosing my main hunting land this evening.
3 sits so far. My season should've ended on my 3rd sit of the year with a 140" to 150" buck. My season Isn't going well from what happened that 3rd sit. Other then that the 3 sits have been nothing but productive sits for seeing bucks.
3 sits, 10 deer seen. Slow, but not had near as much time, lately. Will be fixing that. Come the last week of October, I'll pick up my AM hunts. October AM hunts to me are not worth it - for the most part.
I'm seeing more deer so far at this point, than any seasons passed. My buck sightings are up, too. I've seen about 10 bucks (in 7 sits) and two have been shooters. One missed opportunity was my fault. I've taken a doe, so now I am just focusing on taking a buck between now and December-ish. When the action gets slow after the rut, I'll starting going after nannies again.
I started off in NC with Jeff in September. Saw some does and had a shot opportunity but chose not to take it because I was not comfortable. Had a great time. Came back to Va and killed a doe on September 28th. Also saw a beautiful young 5 pointer a few days earlier on a morning hunt. Opened up the open bow season in VA on October 6th with hunt. Saw 10 deer, including two bucks;a spike and a 4 point. Since then I have hunted 6 more times and have not seen a single deer while on stand, none. But I have also not spooked any deer that I know of which is great. I have been setting up differently this year and trying to key in on bucks instead of more general hunting areas...so far again, no sightings at all in the last 2 weeks. I have seen a ton of turkey, more than any other year I have hunted.
6 sits so far this year, 2 does down. Seeing pretty normal deer activity. Its been a really busy fall so I haven't been out nearly as much as I would have liked.
By far the worst start I have had... I have saw 1 buck (small 6 point) and a family group of doe. I decided after my morning hunt today to tear down the hang-on and sticks and take a walk through the woods and try to find some sign to set up on. I didn't find a single scrape or rub, there are no apples on the crab apple trees and the acorn crop in these woods was non-exsistant. I know that the deer are in the area, but it seems that they may be spending most of their time in the standing corn... I just have to be patient and wait for the right time. I don't plan on hunting these woods till Nov 4th... I will be spending my time till then in a different section of woods just to see what happens.
Have seen does and fawns. Sitting extra close to my 12 year old son and he will get first shot at anything that happens to come by. No shots for him yet....hopefully soon.
I'm with Mike and Justin- I haven't been out yet too awful much, but that's on my own accord. Starting tomorrow morning and after this rain blows through the beginning of next week- It's time to rock n roll.
