Do you think it's too early to start rattling some horns?
I saw it on the internet so it must be true.
The rut will start when the rut will start, and I will be in the woods on those days that I can make it to the woods. Then I have to be lucky enough to have a big buck chase a doe near my tree. I agree with gathering knowledge, but I look at this like the weather forecast for 10 days in the future,....I don't change my plans based upon what they say 10 days before hand.
Go out as often as you can and enjoy,....and may luck be on your side.
I think the moon based rut prediction from the trail camera study done by Charles Alshiemer, and the guy who was (may still be) the deer bio for the state of VT suggested a slightly early rut this year based on the moon cycles. I think chasing was about that week prior to or covering halloween... Check the last month's edition of Deer and Deer Hunting, the article with this years prediction was in that one I think...
I'm gonna do some calling next time out SWK
Hey "SWK" I've learned a lot listening to guys like you, if it sounds reasonable, I'm always willing to give it a try. Perfect example, someone posted about moving thru the woods silently, using the heel to toe technique. Tried it on a hunt the other day and got to within 40 yards of a deer browsing. In my six years, I have never come that close on the ground, took me almost twenty minutes to cover close to 40 yards. To someone such as myself, who's been deer hunting for six years, you guys are a wealth of information!!
SILVERADO's Link
What's tending mean? At my age I don't remember that part. Seek and chase,.....I get that part.
The whole moon thing is great. But, as an old fishing buddy used to say, "the best time to go is any time you can".
I have yet to see a year where November was not good.
It seems sort of local to huh? I can think of a few crazy epic days. One up here where a friend and I saw 3 mature bucks and several smaller ones chasing a doe - neither of us got a shot. But other folks we know reported nothing moving across town.
The last deer I shot in Redding came in with another about 45' after one of the largest bucks I've ever seen chased a doe in. For some reason Ill never understand, she turned, ran up on the ridge with me and stood there looking at him 10yds from my tree - safer than anywhere in the woods - I was NOT shooting her :). I figured great bait. Despite chasing her like nuts for 10' in front of me, when she ran up, he looked at her, and literally walked off the shelf down into a little river valley and out of my life forever. When a smaller buck came in with a buddy on the does trail and did what the big guy was supposed to (doesnt he read the magazines and books) I shot one standing exactly where the doe had been. My wife, was also hunting Redding but was maybe a mile away as the crow flies on the other side of the valley. She was on a great run, and never saw a deer.
So many times that's happened to me - one area is cranked for a day, then dead as heck for 2 weeks and another area is cranked.
Just have to get lucky I guess :) Wait, no, that would be Notme's goal ;)
