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Post by ecgreen on Oct 23, 2009 7:33:55 GMT -5
At what point in the season do you guys start hunting mid-day? Would it be productive to be in the stand after 11am now?
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Post by pettit877 on Oct 23, 2009 7:55:00 GMT -5
you never really know. but for me around Halloween until shotgun really you should start seeing alot of rutting activity and those bucks will be on there feet all day scent checking does and checking bedding and feeding areas for a receptive doe.....for me the first weekend of November is always a magical time. always see lots of deer then throughout the day. P.S. That time of the year is also a GREAT time to call and do a little rattling. i wont go into the woods that time of the year without my bleat can and a grunt call (my favorite is the buck roar) hope this helps a little.
Eric
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Post by steinea286 on Oct 23, 2009 9:33:16 GMT -5
Once the weather cools down a bit, some does may start becoming receptive. At this time the bucks will be in search throughout the day. The true peak of the rut is debateable, but does will come in heat little by little from about Nov. 1 and peak around the 15th or so. To me, dates mean nothing! When I start seeing bucks chasing does, ITS GAME TIME!! That could be Oct. 31 or it could be Nov. 21, doesnt matter! Once their chasing, be prepared to sit all day! And Eric knows his deer, calling at this time of year is more productive than any! Good luck and keep posting letting everyone know whats happening!
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Post by ecgreen on Oct 23, 2009 10:24:25 GMT -5
Great info! Thanks guys! I tell ya, this bowhunting thing is so different than shotgun hunting. I had 4 does come in last night and they had my number! With 16 eyes at 15 yards on you, its hard to come to a draw. In the end I let them go. They were in some heavy brush and I would rather not spook deer at this stand. Its really close to my house and I can hunt it whenever, so I dont want to spoil it. I'll wait for a nice clear shot.
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Post by ecgreen on Oct 23, 2009 10:24:59 GMT -5
Do you use any calls now? LIke a bleat?
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Post by steinea286 on Oct 23, 2009 11:47:16 GMT -5
The buck that I got on video last sunday night, lead me to believe he came in to my bleat. It was only about 8 minutes after I bleated that he came in. A lot of times, I will just use a simple bleat or a few small, soft grunts to get a deers attention but I dont go overboard. If its slow at this time of year, Ill give out a series of bleats, because any deer is somewhat attracted to a bleat wheather it be a buck, doe, or fawn, just to try and make something happen.....
Through experience, it it always better to wait for a good opportunity than to force something. From your story, it was a good decision to let those deer walk rather then have a chance at wounding one. It is our reponsibility to give the animal a quick clean kill as we have all heard many times. Your chance will come, just be patient!!
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Post by Spikehorn11 on Oct 23, 2009 14:15:59 GMT -5
I usually start hunting longer around Halloween depending on the cold weather.
I never had luck with the bleat but I turned a spike around last night using the grunt call. He never came into one of my shooting lanes and then I got busted by another spike.
Heading out the door now.
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traps82
#3 Newhouse
Hope is always alive
Posts: 3,208
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Post by traps82 on Oct 23, 2009 18:10:47 GMT -5
Sean.. I have only got one deer behind my house in 10 years before 9am!!The buck I got last opening day was at 120pm and he came into a buck/bleat combo call. I had one bust me last Sunday at 215 pm. My dad ALWAYS told me that the deer will move between 10am and 2pm... Cant argue with him!! I still like being out there at 1st light, but I don't kick myself if I am tired and need to sleep. I just get out there as quietly as I can.
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Post by pockets on Oct 23, 2009 18:59:47 GMT -5
Once the weather cools down a bit, some does may start becoming receptive. At this time the bucks will be in search throughout the day. The true peak of the rut is debateable, but does will come in heat little by little from about Nov. 1 and peak around the 15th or so. To me, dates mean nothing! When I start seeing bucks chasing does, ITS GAME TIME!! That could be Oct. 31 or it could be Nov. 21, doesnt matter! Once their chasing, be prepared to sit all day! And Eric knows his deer, calling at this time of year is more productive than any! Good luck and keep posting letting everyone know whats happening! Well seenabout a 100 inch chasing two does around this morning. Love those all day hunts. Have not done many the last few years as I have to run the line in the morning. Mid-day is a great time to hunt though.
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Post by worstcaster on Oct 23, 2009 20:34:31 GMT -5
If if have all day I will usually hunt all day. Pack a lunch into the woods with me. Usually I will take a short break midday to stretch my legs and answer nature's call somewhere away from my stand.
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