In no way do I mean this In a bad way but for you deer hunters In states/areas that have good mature buck numbers It sure can make deer hunting quite enjoyable. This year I've saw some good bucks and more mature bucks In one year then I've ever saw. It's been 15 years since I've saw this good of hunting In the area/woods I hunt. Maybe even the best I've ever saw It. Yes I'm doing some things better then before but what It all boils down to Is numbers. When you don't have mature buck numbers It makes hunting a real *****. When you've got good numbers It sure can make hunting a little more enjoyable and yes a tad more easier. I've passed on 2 different 3.5 year old bucks this year. None of these would break the 125 Inch mark but none the less we've got older bucks around for once. I also had another buck with In 30 to 35 yards that was a very good one but was a tad too far for my liking. I've also got pictures of 2 other mature bucks that look to be 3.5's that I haven't even saw yet but then again I haven't been hunting either of these bucks bedding areas and travel routes being they too would get a pass If they came on by. I feel like I'm getting spoiled this year. I couldn't Imagine hunting mature buck numbers like this every year and by no means are these bucks monsters (not yet anyway). My hunting each year usually consists of 1, sometimes 2 different mature bucks on the property. Sometimes nothing Is saw by anyone and I/we put our time In every year. The buck sign this year shows It too. I've saw more scrapes this year then I've saw the last 5 years combined. The one thing I'm worried about Is what's starting this upcoming weekend. Gun season opens this weekend and there's hardly a field with corn In It left. I'm thinking It's going to be a slaughter fest with these bucks as right now their running crazy chasing every piece of tail they see. I guess I better enjoy the rest of the week then and maybe get lucky and get the buck I'm after. I've got 3 days to get It done. I think I'm In trouble.
Good luck shultzy. Might be time to get aggresive. With only 3 days left before rifle season I wouldn't feel bad for pushing deer around if need be.
Good luck Steve, hunt as much as you can before the gun season, then get in the thick onces the guns hit, thats whats happened here. Gun season has been on for 20 days now.. bucks have completely moved into the thickest nastiest mountainsides and thats where I have been hunting. I agree, I can honestly say I have seen more bucks, mature bucks at least 1 time a week too..and even had a shot so far. No complaints here, lots of deer action, all my big boys have been in thick bedding and travel cover.. Scrapes are getting bigger, drilled more etc.. its only gonna get better here, our rut is about 2 weeks behind you guys. I can not wait to hunt every evening and on the weekends all day.. wife is done with coaching.. I got the month of Nov and Dec now to hunt hard.
Rut is in the seeking phase around here (over by Green Bay WI) get out there as much as possible and have fun. Only takes one coming through at the right place at the right time to make all of the slow time a distant memory. Good luck!!
Steve, heck yeah man. Keep at it and things are going to pay off for you. The bucks may be coming through your property but you are changing your tactics and your hunts are getting better as a result. Congrats man on the action, now put one down. I myself am gonna kill one by Friday at sun down! KILL
You can do it steve! good luck bud, yes I think you need to get really motivated and aggressive if you only have 3 days.
I've only been ouut 6X, this year. But, believe it or not....I was sitting on stand this morning thinking the exact same thing. Stepping on no one's toes when I say this (nor is Steve). Deer hunting is most certainly a numbers game.
This morning was another great sit. Saw the same 3.5 year old 8 point that I've passed on numerous times the last week. I watched him bed 60 yards away from me above where a doe fawn and another big bodied deer bedded southwest of me 40 or so yards but I couldn't see the bigger bodied deer's head. Just like that the 8 point got up out of his bed and his ears went straight back and started walking towards these 2 other bedded deer. I looked with my bino's at the bedded deer and they were gone. I searched like heck with the bino's and finally caught a glimpse of one. The bigger bodied deer was a buck and a good one at that. All I could see was some of his left side and what appeared to be his G2. The point was long (all of 10 Inches) and the beam curled way out so I know he's wide. Not sure If this was the same buck I saw on the 28th of October or not but none the less he was a dandy and a keeper. The 2 bucks got with In 10 yards of each other by the looks of It then the bigger one disappeared never to be saw again. His body towered the 8 point but I couldn't see his rack. Funny how that seems to happen. The 8 point stayed around for another 30 minutes and then I think he bedded In there some where. I got down 45 minutes later and snuck out. Not sure what to do here as I know I need to be farther to the west but the damn wind swirls so bad. Tough decision here no doubt. If It wasn't for the gun season this weekend It would be a simple decision. Actually this Is the last thing I want to do. Bad decisions on my part and hunting aggressively could push these bucks and doe's Into the neighbors land. I'm hunting only about 100 yards off of the line. I think I'm going to play It safe but at the same time give It one more shot and try another spot not far from where I was this morning and hope the wind doesn't screw me. It's kinda hilly In this spot and the wind likes to swirl depending on the wind direction. Thanks for the Input everyone.
