booneriverbucks
PMA Member
Awesome to see all the guys in town at the grocery store picking up supplies for the weekend. All were smiling and looked like kids in a toy store. Good luck to everybody that is going out!
Hardwood11
It is going to be a good fall!
How about the snow in some areas ? Deep enough to slow down deer drives ?
In Minnesota I went pheasant hunting and I could barely get through the cattails . Snow was waist deep in spots .
Not a good start to the winter for wildlife !!
In Minnesota I went pheasant hunting and I could barely get through the cattails . Snow was waist deep in spots .
Not a good start to the winter for wildlife !!
Snow hasn’t slowed the trucks down flying across fields hereHow about the snow in some areas ? Deep enough to slow down deer drives ?
In Minnesota I went pheasant hunting and I could barely get through the cattails . Snow was waist deep in spots .
Not a good start to the winter for wildlife !!
iowavf
Well-Known Member
Wait, I thought the orange army shoots anything that moves?
Nrharris
PMA Member
Im not really an orange army. Just hunting when I have time with my LOT tag until my paid muzzleloader tag. I did not hear many shots when I was sitting compared to normal.Wait, I thought the orange army shoots anything that moves?
JNRBRONC
Well-Known Member
I'm a one-man army.
Was pretty quiet in my neighborhood as well. Snow was deep enough that it was somewhat of a challenge with a bum knee, would have hated to do the drives I did back when I party hunted in the early '80's.
As the sun set on Saturday, the deer moved into the ag fields to feed. I was surprised to see them hit the harvested bean field over the cut corn. I think it might have been because: A) the bean stubble was shorter so the wind had blown the snow layer thinner, less pawing to find things and B) soybeans have the protein advantage over corn. Just guesses.
Might let the place rest and hopefully load up with deer until late ML. It we get rain today, which crusts over the snow, my season might be done, which I'd be fine with.
iowavf
Well-Known Member
I didn't see a lot of hunters out either when driving around. I don't hunt until LM either.
sep0667
Land of the Whitetail
Saturday was the first time I've sat my farm on opening weekend morning as previously I've hunted with a group elsewhere. I just sat in a stand. I was sort of going more to have my truck parked there to have a presence and to listen for shots etc. Between 700-900 i heard dozens of shots, mostly 2+ miles away. It was so calm out Im sure I was hearing some shots maybe 3-5 miles away. More in my neighborhood there were a few shots, but not many.
I actually had a great hunt. All the movement I saw was natural movement. Probably saw 15 for sure different deer, maybe 20 total. Even as I could hear shots the deer i was watching just keeping browsing in the woods acting normal. Best part was later afternoon I finally laid eyes on my #1 and got to watch him browse for about 30 minutes 100 yards away. I was thinking I was going to get a chance at him, but a young buck bumping a doe around had them work off away from me. I didnt go Sunday as I didnt care to drive on the roads after the snow/rain.
Overall I heard a lot more shots than I thought I would, but luckily they were mostly all I would guess 2-5 miles away to the southwest, west, northwest so I'm not really sure they affect the deer more in my neighborhood. It was pretty quiet after 1100. Everytime I would hear a volley I would just cringe thinking the better bucks I've been after got shot. But luckily seeing my #1 calmly feeding before dark in my timber settled my nerves and then Monday I got pictures of my other good buck.
I actually had a great hunt. All the movement I saw was natural movement. Probably saw 15 for sure different deer, maybe 20 total. Even as I could hear shots the deer i was watching just keeping browsing in the woods acting normal. Best part was later afternoon I finally laid eyes on my #1 and got to watch him browse for about 30 minutes 100 yards away. I was thinking I was going to get a chance at him, but a young buck bumping a doe around had them work off away from me. I didnt go Sunday as I didnt care to drive on the roads after the snow/rain.
Overall I heard a lot more shots than I thought I would, but luckily they were mostly all I would guess 2-5 miles away to the southwest, west, northwest so I'm not really sure they affect the deer more in my neighborhood. It was pretty quiet after 1100. Everytime I would hear a volley I would just cringe thinking the better bucks I've been after got shot. But luckily seeing my #1 calmly feeding before dark in my timber settled my nerves and then Monday I got pictures of my other good buck.
Darrin
Active Member
I've noticed this as well in the last couple years even without snow. I've just always assumed they'd choose corn over beans when given the choice. With how efficient these combines have gotten over the years I'm surprised they find anything to eat out there...need to target the crappy farmers
JNRBRONC
Well-Known Member
Small odd, shaped fields. Combine tends to knock a little down at the end rows, even the newer combines.With how efficient these combines have gotten over the years I'm surprised they find anything to eat out there...need to target the crappy farmers
tall@wide
PMA Member
I agree about the snow and trespassers. Also, I hunted a food plot one eve looking for an old cull I wanted to shoot. He didn't show but almost all the great young 3-4 year olds did show. I was thinking this is way too easy, and it's no wonder we don't have many old, high scoring bucks around. Most hunters shoot those young 150-160 inch bucks, and the process repeats the next year. Gun hunting over an ag plot in late season, especially with cold and snow is way too easy!Wonder how all this snow will impact harvest. For guys sitting & not driving - man it’s gotta be way more deer sighted and shot. Deer drives….. hmmm. But louder & harder to get around. Bet the trespassing issues are way down with the snow
iowavf
Well-Known Member
Almost as easy as hunting bucks during the rut when they only have one thing on their mind.
northcedar
Well-Known Member
Yep. Hunt the corners and curves. Lol.
tall@wide
PMA Member
I think during the rut is one of the hardest times to kill a mature buck. No pattern and they are always locked down with a doe. Lots of deer get killed during the rut because that's when all the hunters are out. Personally, I'd pick almost anytime except the rut to take a mature buck.
Windlooker
Well-Known Member
You know an old timer once told me mature bucks don’t run around during the rut. They’re old, smart and know where to be to get it done. We see the 2 and 3 year olds acting goofy, much like a 23 year old dude running from bar to bar looking for tail. The longer I hunt I think he’s right on.