So i have a question for everyone, Michigan has what we call an early Doe season, its starts sept. 15-19th, and then shortly after our bow season starts; Oct. 1st. I was wondering, would it be bad to hunt my food plot with my bow during the early doe season, just to get one doe in the freezer, before the big time starts, or would it be bad to get my sent around and scar the deer. I do not want to mess up my Big bow opener. I had thought about taking out the gun, but i did rule that out, i thought the bow would be less likely to mess up the bow opener seeing how its makes less noise and less likely to give away my position. just looking for what you guys would do, thank you for reading and helping
I would. I wouldnt go out there shootin a gun but a bow definatly. Ive killed deer one day and hunt the same stand the next and have em walk right past like nothing ever happened. Just make sure your careful with your scent! Wash clothes in scent free, spray down, wear rubber boots, etc. Shouldnt have any problems. Wish Illinois had an early season like this!
I'd let the wind direction on the given day make my decision. If the wind direction is good for the plot hunt it, if not definitely dont. As for the gun blast, ive seldom seen deer scared of a muzzle blast unless they're real close or the ones being shot at, personally wouldn't let that determine my weapon choice. More harm would be done to the area if you happen to put a bad hit on the animal and now have to spend hours looking for it. If I gun hunted I think in this situation I'd actually lean towards taking the gun, boy that was hard to say! jk
A gun is no more likely to spook deer than a bow. A single (or two, or three) gun shot is not going to spook deer for the opener. If your goal is to kill a doe or few, take the gun and get it over with as soon as possible. Drop the deer in a field if possible. No tracking (less intrusion) and you can likely set up in an area you didn't plan on sitting in early October. This would be the least intrusive way to hunt the early season. I have tagged along on early season doe hunts in which multiple deer were shot from a field. The most I have seen was 3. It never took the deer more than 10 minutes to come back into the field after a deer was shot. Some times they just stand there after a shot. Human presence/scent is what puts deer on alert during hunting seasons. The least intrusive you can be, regardless of weapon, is your best choice if your worried about tipping deer off before Oct 1.
