Time for the smelly stuff?

So im here in IL. near St. Charles to be exact. I'm seeing ton of deer moving and one buck over the weekend. Are we getting close to using some scents? The Rut is SOOOOO near, I know usually around Halloween is a rule of thumb. But what about rattling, or calling? Its got to be close. I have a Gander Gift card burning a hole in my pocket so Im thinking a trip to Gander in the AM to pick up some scents is in order. I'm thinking its about that time...

 

I'm from Sterling,IL which is about hour and half southwest of you, but no I would def. not be afraid to rattle or grunt a little bit, around me its been consistent all week with young 1 1/2 yr old bucks starting to chase a little bit, and hearing them grunt myself. Its only going to keep getting better, I would go to any doe-in-heat scents yet, but def. dominant buck scents on scrapes, and on a drag rag wouldn't be a bad idea, its certainly not going to hurt you by any means. so be patient and give it a shot, lately i have been seeing alot of my deer movement the last half hour of day light or so, but that can change on any given day. hope this helps let me know!

-PJ

 

Thanks a lot redleg42. I also have land I hunt in Chadwick (Carroll Co.) that's not far from you at all... Maybe I should head up there this weekend and try my luck...Thanks again

 

Thanks a lot redleg42. I also have land I hunt in Chadwick (Carroll Co.) that's not far from you at all... Maybe I should head up there this weekend and try my luck...Thanks again

 

I just went out yesterday and laid a scent trail...i'm not sure if it's necessarily "time" but I figured since we're in pre-rut it might help. I also sprayed a big bush at about 20 yards with several squirts of vanilla extract...hopefully bring in some does ... lay their own scent =)

 

I hunt a good section of woods along a bean field and a corn field in Huntley. I have seen some of the younger ones chasing. I have been grunting and doing a little rattling and it has been effective so far. I have only used one scent so far and that is Buck Butter by Lowes Whitetail scents. It is a bedding scent and actually had a deer come right into it 2 weeks ago. I will be setting my mock scrape up tonight and starting to use estrous this coming week. I have also just in the last week seen about a dozen roadkill deer too. Which to me means they are starting to move around a bit. Good luck! and Straight shootin!

 

Hey no problem, small world I have a spot I hunt in milledgville, right next to chadwich, but yeah im going to try and sit all day tommorow if I can, talked to some people I hunt with and my one buddy shot a 160 inch ten point, and the other has said he has been consistently rattling in small bucks up all week, so its startin to get good, good luck this weekend.

 

I am in UP-State Ny.. Havent seen any chasing as of yet- But I have seen alot of deer up on their feet...Should be getting really good soon!!!!!!

 

I'm down south near St. Louis but on the IL side. I was heading into work this morning and at 8:50 AM I saw 3 nice size doe's crossing a field then out of now where I see a 4th deer come out of the woods directy on their trail. it was a pretty nice buck and he had his nose to the ground. Let's kick the tires and light the fires.