ML_Hunter
Well-Known Member
Should be a great Hunt this weekend.
Opening Weekend Forecast: Get Ready
- Thread starter UTGrad
- Start date
AT Hiker
Well-Known Member
Same for me. What has changed since this weekend is that Im starting to see lone does and smaller doe groups. Up until Monday it was herd after herd of doe/fawns.
That's exactly what I'm seeing. This morning is the first time I've seen an older buck in daylight since early October, here in TN. And not for lack of trying. They're making me work this year.
BSK
Well-Known Member
What I find REALLY strange is I'm getting bucks on cam in the background of different set-ups, but not getting them scraping. I've never seen that before. basically, in all past years, if they're in the area, they're stopping by every scrape they encounter! Not this year. They're ingoring them. Never seen anything like it.
This is exactly whats happening to me in west Dickson County. Hunted place my whole life, all deer in big herds sticking to bottoms. Nothing happening up in the hills or timber. 200 acres and a I do not have any scrapes or rubs. Proven stands are producing zero sightings of any deer.
2 different farms in Stewart county today does everywhere all day!!! Easily saw 60+ doe today while adjusting cameras and checking blinds. Found only 1 good scrape and saw no bucks. Odd year for certain
That's alright, backstrap steaks, a few roasts and make jerky out of the rest!
That's alright, backstrap steaks, a few roasts and make jerky out of the rest!
Duck dogn
Well-Known Member
My two target bucks left first week of Oct aint seen them since so I hope this weather and ladies this weekend will change that
Appalachian American
Well-Known Member
I'm following your camera updates as I don't run any. We pretty close to one another so thank you for sharing!
Not sure how far you are, I'm hunting in Pickett. But no deer today
May your aim be true and your knife sharp. Best to all. I just moved here and been so busy with buying house, selling house, moving, and long awaited vacation that covid had delayed. But I will be ready next year. My saving grace is that I have a Texas Hill country hunt in mid December. Looking forward to the stories.
philsanchez76
Well-Known Member
Since I only have access to public I don't look forward to rifle season as much as a lot of yall do. It gets really crowded and the deer start hunkering down. Muzzleloader season is always my best crack at a mature deer but all my cams have basically had no mature bucks on them for the past 2 weeks, the very few scrapes ive found have gone dead and I've had no mature buck sightings. Plenty of does and always a 1.5 year old buck or two out harassing them. Starting to think I just suck! Good luck to all this weekend.
Starting to see more "outside" bucks moving though part of them may be bedding in three high pockets I have stayed out of.
I had to work on one of my springs a couple days ago and took the opportunity to scout the whole ridgeline 3/4 and down a big ragged U. Not one scrape worked even though big fresh tracks in some I made. Not one this year rub.
I did accidentally jump 2 shooters and a couple lessors in another area. Guy hunting next property over passed a few lessors today.
I took a heavy body buck today that was obviously looking for does but definitely not in a hot fuss. I would describe him as nonchalant. I could bring his tarsals in the house and the wife wouldn't notice. (Well, maybe, not willing to test that. I try to keep brave well separated from stupid.) Point being he wasn't demonstrating highT.
Just seems like they are a little behind...
I had to work on one of my springs a couple days ago and took the opportunity to scout the whole ridgeline 3/4 and down a big ragged U. Not one scrape worked even though big fresh tracks in some I made. Not one this year rub.
I did accidentally jump 2 shooters and a couple lessors in another area. Guy hunting next property over passed a few lessors today.
I took a heavy body buck today that was obviously looking for does but definitely not in a hot fuss. I would describe him as nonchalant. I could bring his tarsals in the house and the wife wouldn't notice. (Well, maybe, not willing to test that. I try to keep brave well separated from stupid.) Point being he wasn't demonstrating highT.
Just seems like they are a little behind...
BSK
Well-Known Member
I promise it's not just you. Or the alternative, we all suck!
Been seeing lots of chasing and one lockdown last 2 days. Big boy was locked with a doe yesterday morning and had his sidekick tagging along. Same again last evening. This morning the sidekick is alone and picking on younger bucks and following does. I saw a single mature doe all by herself browsing, staying 100yds+ away from the action. I'm guessing big guy was near but I couldn't see him. I'll sit a little longer.
BSK
Well-Known Member
I can't remember a rut so muted, or possibly late (except 2007). I'm hoping it's just late in western Middle TN. I would hate to think what I saw last week was the rut.
BSK
Well-Known Member
Is this normal timing for your area Ski?
Yeah it kind of is, but kind of late too. The lockdown is normal. I have a metric poop ton of does on this farm, and inevitably one or two pop way earlier than others.
What's not normal is the scrape activity that just started this week. It's a month late. I'm finding them in unexpected places too. One is in a cow pasture with no licking branch, and it's active! Still no rubs except deep inside buck bedding cover.
I'm in Manchester, an hour southeast of Nashville.
BSK
Well-Known Member
Thanks Ski.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
Same. Never seen or dreamed of a year this lame for buck activity. This far at least
My brother and I process our own as well and it is very rewarding to take it from scouting and killing to processing and feeding my family! I know it's not for everyone but we enjoy it. Plus I had too many bad experiences with a local processor. Never believed I was getting my buck back
