Just curious if any heavy rubs/scrapes being seen yet? I haven't seen any thing out there at all yet. But I've only been looking at a small parcel of private land. When do you think they might start up w/the rut? I've heard the end of this month will be productive. The moon phase is the first full moon for the fall equinox. I've read that it's the 2nd full moon phase that sets them off.
I found 2 real nice rubs Sat. morning (Oct.4). Today while out on a brief scouting mission to another part of the property that's basically untouched, I found the first scrape of the year. I think it's starting somewhat, but that will change after the guns start sounding off this weekend for the youth hunt. Then next week there will be 4 days of antlerless only hunting with firearms as well; so I'm sure that basically push all the decent bucks nocturnal for a while.
seems like same story with all, then all of a sudden...wham about 6 nice ones will be posted. all on the same night
I had an exciting 15 minutes from 6 to 6:15. Two mammoth bodies at 6 but couldn't get a good Id on the headgear. Then the nanny train arrived and hung out at 6:15. Hoping the two monster deer are heading to get water and heading back.
I've been on top alot of good movement by older whitetail over the past 8.. maybe 9 days now. Evenings are definately better. Lots of rubbing just popping up over the last 5 or 6 days. Not any scrapes that I can find.. but licking branches galore! They are moving near my haunts.. southern Wisc. and Northern Illinois. I look for a good weekend by JZ and Mr Graf. As well as you other Illinois and Wisc. riff-raff.
I have seen one old scrape so far and about ten rubs. I have seen only one buck while hunting so far.
I haven't seen any bucks yet, but with the youth hunt this weekend, I'm sure it'll be awhile b4 that happens.
I thought I was onto a rub line until I found out it was from a ATV trying to blaze a trail over the sapplings.
Last week I walked up on 3 different scrapes, while spotlighting I had 9 bucks in the field. The 3 biggest were all fighting, as well as 2 other sets fighting as well. Then the 2 smallest were spectators wondering what there summertime buddies were doing to each other! Pretty amazing sight, I watched this for about 20 minutes or so!
As far as seeing bucks, it's not so hot down here. I hunted 3 times this weekend. I saw 16 does and 3 young bucks.
I've only seen one buck so far in 9 sits (yesterday morning), and he was just a small 1.5yr old 6 point. I've seen A LOT of deer, and the 6 point chased a doe around in my clover plot for a little while, but he wasn't too persistent.
