Well I've heard all of these stories of rattling and grunting in bucks, so I went to one of my best sets yesterday. In years past, the bucks always rub and scrape in this area so I hung stands back in July in a tree on the edge of a thick bedding area. The wind was perfect, so Alicia and I packed our gear and headed to the tree for the first time this year. On our way in, we saw a bunch of sign - scrapes and rubs along field edges and what not, along with a ton of tracks. When we arrived at the tree, there were five scrapes within ten yards of it, with the two biggest being within 4-5 yards of my stand. After getting settled, we waited for prime time and I went through a calling sequence. Nothing. 45 minutes later, still nothing with another calling sequence. We managed to see one doe in the area. I think it's still just a weee bit early, but the next week should bring some great things. How about you guys? Are you seeing the same thing? I think we're right on the fringe of seeing it get a lot better....
SEIowaDeerslayer
Well-Known Member
Sounds like my last few hunts. Last night was the first night I saw the big boys cruising right at dusk. My bud took a doe off the ground during the first week of the season and I've only seen 1 doe and 2 fawns and that was 2 nights ago. During early September I saw 33 deer in the same field. I've seen a ton of rubs and scrapes as well, and I have concluded that the deer are limiting their activity right now so they're rested up for the rut so they're limiting their time afoot. Next week they'll all be running around like a chicken with its head cut off, and I can't wait.
nannyslayer
New Member
Did a little calling this morning, had a 1 1/2 year old 6 come running in. Saw 2 big boys at around 8:30 am, and couldn't even get them to give me a second look, and they were only 80 yards away. Another week, or week and a half, and they will be more interested. Been seeing alot of 1 1/2 year old bucks really harassing does.
