Let's get an update on how your early archery season went.... And your plan for the late season if you will be hunting it. Mine went well. I saw a lot of deer and quite a few bucks in my short 2.5-3 week season. I blew a chance at a good buck by a yearling buck catching me standing up to get into position for a shot about a week before I arrowed my 2009 buck. I was pretty bummed out but it all worked out after all. I hunted much more aggressively this early season do to my limited days to be able to hunt this fall and it paid off with my best early season ever. Let's hear your story.
Would have been a dream season had I made a more solid shot on Halloween. I achieved two thirds of my goal in the early season and that was to take a doe off my primary land and also to take one at twildasin's place on our annual trip. The third part was obviously a buck and I fudged that by not closing the deal on a really nice buck on Halloween at 4pm. Still haunts me. Overall it was my best early season ever. 31 buck sightings, passed several small bucks and learned where I need to have two different rut setups.
I've seen shooters on October 19, 23, 25, 31, November 3, 30, and December 1 (4 different bucks). The buck spotted on Oct 19, Nov. 30, and Dec. 1 was the same one. The buck from Oct. 23 was also the same as the one seen the 25th. I killed my buck on November 3rd, but November was a down month for me compared to previous years. However, October was probably my best out of any season. I usually stink that time of year. My strategy for the late season is to try to hug tight to the nearest bedding cover next to a standing cornfied, and some cut cornfields at our farm.
The very early season went well for my brother, my buddy and I. Other than that, 2009 has not been great overall, but I love to hunt the late season in the freezing cold and snow. Just something about it. Plus I'm looking forward to trying to get on some key food sources when it gets really cold. We'll see, but I don't have much time left ... Also.. I lost my only Ohio hunting spot. Now I have until Jan 3rd, instead of all the way to Feb.
My early season started off extremely slow. Only seeing 10 deer, skunked twice, and only 2 young bucks. Things picked up November 14th. The morning of the 14th I had deer all around me including the biggest fork horn I have ever seen first hand. I decided I would give him a shot due to how unique he was. I thought things were calm and about 11:30 my bladder got the best of me. I decided to climb down, do my business and move to a different location for the evening. Wouldn't you know it, just as I was finishing up he comes trotting towards me. With my bow still attached to my pull rope, I hurry to unhook it and tuck behind my tree. He ends up 5 yards and we are staring each other down. Needless to say I blinked, he bolted. I find my new location where I have never sat before. 1:30 pm here comes a high 120's dark rack buck. He stops at a creek bank and I draw. At the exact second I released, he jumped off the bank and hit him square in the buttocks. I watched him closely due to the fact that I know that could be a deadly shot, but I hit him square in the bone and got minimal penetration. To be safe I followed up and followed his steps and never found a drop. That day I saw 5 different bucks and countless doe. I hope the late season brings me good results.
Mine was mixed. Had a great 1st 2 weeks, saw lots of deer, took a buck & 2 does. (PA) The "pre-rut/rut" portion was terrible. Very few deer sightings, no shooters. (OH) I doubt I will bother to hunt any late season. Too much effort to make the drive just to hunt & hope for a miracle.
Very frustrating. A logging crew moved into our property October 1st and hung around until the middle of the third week. I tried to adjust accordingly but mature deer were just not moving during the daylight hours, then again, why would they? Deer sightings started to slowly improve at the beginning of November but it wasn't until the hot to trot rut that I saw my first shooter, which in uncharacteristic for our place.
My season went great. Early season (2nd day, Oct 2nd) I almost closed the deal on a 140" buck headed back from the corn to his bed. almost I continued seeing bucks all season, In all 5 were shooters 125" and above. I killed mine Nov 5th and he was buck # 27 for the season. I hunted a little more for yotes, and seen three more bucks making the total for the year at 30. my son killed # 30 The Rut went well for me also, I seen alot of chasing the last several days of Oct up until Nov 5th. To sum it up, My season went very good, no complaints here
Roller coaster of emotions for me. Had my ups and downs throughout the season. Then the battle of wits with my 2009 buck during that last week of early archery for me was incredible. He really had me up all night. Still can't believe it happened like it did, but I'm one happy hunter about it. Lot of work as always went into my early season. My body is toast right now. I gave up on it about 3 weeks ago. Could've killed my buck 2 days into the season instead of 2 days left lol. Going to give them hell for the home stretch here. We have 2 weeks left and there is a MONSTER 10 pointer that I am hunting now. Saw him a couple times 1st week of November. I know where he lives and I'm going to be right on top of him. Just a matter of if he wants to show himself during the day.
My early season (whole season actually) sucked. Lots of rain hindered the farmer's efforts in getting the crops out. Deer movement has, an still is, all at night. My deer sightings are down by a huge amount. I went 17 hunts without so much as seeing a deer. Frustrating is the best way to explain my season thus far.
I shoot two does in the first two weeks of the season. Saw a lot of yearling bucks and one shooter. Had the shooter at 5 yards, but he was facing directly at me and I never got a shot. It was the only shooter I saw from stand. The late season plan is to take out at least two more does. Season ends Jan 1st.
Had alot of stuff go wrong this year. I had 3 bucks that would have scored over 170" either commited or there and twice somebody else screwed it up. One was broke off above the brow tine. It's been fustrating to say the least but I'm still determined to get 1.
I saw 25 or so bucks in the early season which is anytime before our rifle season. I took my buck on Halloween. I haven't seen the quality of bucks that I'm used to seeing this year, however. I think the standing corn really hindered me. I still had a great time and am still going at it. Hoping to get a December buck which would be a first for me.
I've only had chances at a few bucks this year, and haven't seen very many honestly - not nearly as many as typical. This has been one of the toughest seasons I've had in a good while. It's still been fun, and I'm still at it. Hoping things will come together for me in Dec for my bow buck!
hit and miss, but deff was seeing some good movement. i think the key to this late season will be to move my sets around, which im not really big on doing but know it is needed this late in the game.
Not like I had hoped. Some bad weather and trespassers really hurt my early season. Saw some good activity the last few weeks, but just not close enough for a shot with my bow. Still hopeful to connect before season is over. Heading out for another trip this weekend to a buddy's lease.
