hey guys im new to this forum. i hunt in the state of new jersey and im just looking for some advice. iam planning to hunt an area where there are alot of rubs but not a whole lot of sign such as tracks and droppings. there are a few scattered around but nothing major. i know the rubs are fresh, and there are tracks, but not a good amount. will baiting the area help bring the deer out more or are they active and i dont even know it
Welcome to the site AND don't bait. Baiting will tip off a mature deer that it is being hunted. As long as there are fresh tracks there then your good. Especially if rubs keep showing up in the area. Try to stay out of there as much as possible. If there is a place you can watch for him from a distance where he won't see or smell you or smell where you have been, then sit there before season. You can watch from there so you can pattern and keep track of him. While your at it arm yourself with a camcorder or camera if you have one. If your going to set up a spot to hunt then go in there and get everything done at one time and then stay out until you hunt him. If you keep going back he will know and no longer feel safe there. At least not during daylight. Hopefully he sticks around until season starts. Keep us posted!
I live and hunt is NJ, as well as other States. I mountain bike through parks loaded with deer, my farm and house have constant deer traffic and I have yet to see a hard horned buck, let alone fresh rubs(watch, tomorrow Ill find fresh rubs).. What part of the State ? I'd stay away from bait, depending on your situation. Alot of NJ hunters rely on bait to get deer, most, actually. Deer start to associate corn/bait piles with people which makes them skittish in that area, or nocturnal to that area. I'd say, take your scouting further, deeper, harder, yeaaa(oops, went off on a seperate topic there). You've found the first piece to the puzzle, an area with some sign. Now, you need to elevate your scouting, put the clues together and start locking in on the deer in that area. Stay away from bait, for now. But, do this quickly because the early season patterns change VERY quickly, and you may find yourself behind the 8-ball in only a few weeks, or someone else may kill that deer- like a trespassing, poaching cop a week before the season or a car. Public or Private ? Zone ?
i was thinkin the same thing....kinda early for rubs...maybe towards the end of the month ..maybe beginning of oct....but who knows....could be~!....so excited..dam cant wait..
