First, new to the board, and congrats to everyone who scored. Just curious as to what PA hunters are seeing as for the rut? I've seen some spotty action, and have passed on several bucks, but not seeing any good shooters? 90% of my hunting is on Public, but usually a few good ones around, just can't manage to see them. And my goal really isn't that big, at 130in., seeing 100-110in just can't seem to get a visual on anything better? Are you others having a hard time seeing the better bucks that you know are around?, and do you believe they are in lock down? Thanks
No lock down but thay sure are hard to come by for me also. I have a goal of 100 inches and still have not had one cross my path. My nephew saw one that would probably go 120ish and then saw 2 other smaller bucks on Wed. morning. All cruising with nose to the ground. Warm temps have them held down I believe.
Have only seen a few bucks cruising. One was chasing last saturday about 60 yards off. Today I did see 2 shooter bucks. Kicked one out going into stand. He was laying in high grass watching an open field. Probably about a 118 or so buck. At 3:00 I saw a bruiser again about 60 yards out I tried everything to get him turned,I thought the snort wheeze was going to work as he stopped and took a few steps my way then went back to his search for a hot doe with his nose to the ground. He was a wallhanger for sure. Oh well maybe tomorrow or saturday he'll show up a bit closer. In my area I think the rut is just now kicking in and there's only 2 days left....
I saw a lot of cruising about a week ago, but then it seemed to die down. Now I'm seeing more action over the last couple of days. Of course I don't have a tag even if a shooter came by, but I've still go doe tags and scouting for next year. Hopefully the action I'm seeing is going on down in MD since that's where I'll be this weekend.
i live 20 minutes west of pittsburgh near monroeville and this has been the best year for me yet i could of shot 3 diff 130 or bigger bucks since october 26th but im waiting for a 170 class 17 point hopefully your luck turns around good luck to all pa hunters
Beaver Co., along the Ohio border. Not an easy task, just not that many around, although it's a realalistic goal. Now a 170in. like buckhunter is pursuing, would be very unrealistic in my area, might as well stay home. I guess it just depends what area you are in, Good Luck with the 170 buckhunter.
Any of the areas around Pittsbugh that don't get pounded with shotgunners have some good deer in them. Great genetics and the potential for age. A 130" is definitely possible, but with any buck that size not easy. Good luck on that 170" buckhunter. I hope to see you sitting behind him on here.
Size plays a big part to your location of the state so no comment there. As far as the rut, it's in, just not the heart of it. They're cruising and having some minor fights as far as I can see. Eventhough I'm only doe hunting I like to see deer. Last night I called one in with a doe estrus can call. Heard something running 60 yds behind me in the thick, dropped a can call. Waited a bit, dropped another. He came from the north and headed south as I had a NE/E wind. Walked 9 yrds away from my stand, then followed the trail out to the field. Hope he lives because he'll be a nasty 3.5 yr old. 2 days left is plenty. Lay the estrus and plan your sits right. Good luck.
Most of the activity I saw took place the last week of Oct. I have to say that all I REALLY saw were some bucks cruising/seeking. I didn't see a single buck actually chasing a doe. Hell, I didn't even hear a buck grunting! I killed a decent 9pt on Oct 28 though. Since then I've just been looking to kill my third doe (2 permits left) and have seen slow action. Nothing like what I would expect to see out of a good rut. I'll be going in (1:00PM) for an evening hunt on this, the last day of "regular" archery season. It's nice sitting, knowing the pressure is off to shoot a buck. He's not the biggest, but still a decent buck for my hunting area.
