Which week to take vacation in PA
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: LostNwoods
05-Oct-20
First week of November (Full Moon) or second week. I hunt in 5D/C and right now I put in for first full week.
From: Phil Magistro
05-Oct-20
I would take the first week of November. Research shows the moon has no effect on deer movement.
https://www.deer.psu.edu/wandering-in-the-moonlight/
From: spike78
05-Oct-20
Second week. I usually see not much going on yet the first week. This is in MA but I’m guessing same as in PA.
From: Teeton
05-Oct-20
I know ur not in bear country, i would pick Saturday the 7th to Sunday the 15th, that be the week i would pick. Now for me it most likely going to be Saturday October 31 to Saturday November 7th. Thats only because of bear. I saw 5 bear last archery season. Ed
From: Jethro
05-Oct-20
First week of Nov has been good for me the last two years.
From: Bowbender
05-Oct-20
I'm taking both.
From: RIT
05-Oct-20
If you don’t have to decide now wait and see what the weather is like closer to the dates you can hunt.
From: Zbone
05-Oct-20
First week of November... My vacation begins October 29 and ends November 10th...
From: Bradford
06-Oct-20
2nd week!
From: Supernaut
06-Oct-20
I'd take the first week in November. Good luck and safe hunting which ever week you decide!
From: Smtn10PT
06-Oct-20
Depends what state you are going to hunt on your vacation...
From: Phil Magistro
06-Oct-20
"Depends what state you are going to hunt on your vacation... "
I think the title of this thread gave that away.
From: Supernaut
06-Oct-20
Firearms season doesn't start until the Saturday after Thanksgiving in PA. Some WMU's in PA you can archery hunt right up to the day before firearms season starts. I have had most of my bow hunting success the last 2 weeks in October in PA but that's just me. My hunting time is limited due to work so I just try to get out every chance I get.
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
06-Oct-20
LostNwoods I’ll be down there second week of November and then the second week of rifle (doe and buck season). I tend to find the area I’m in is a little slower during the first week. However my buddy slammed a big wide 7 Saturday down there.
From: Rut Nut
06-Oct-20
This is always the big decision every year. I usually take the first week, but this year since we have an extra week of Archery and Nov 11th is a holiday, I took the 12th and 13th off and only have to take 2 days off to hunt 5 days in a row!(can hunt Sunday the 15th this year)
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
06-Oct-20
Hit it right on the head rut nut! Where in PA are you?
From: Rut Nut
06-Oct-20
I’m in the Poconos but also hunt out in Western Pa on my buddy’s farm and also down in the Lehigh Valley with friends. This year I have four 5C tags, two 3D tags and one 2D tag................... ;-)
From: Jrhendricks
06-Oct-20
Not in PA (Nebraska) but having the same dilemma, 19-23rd is good moon phase and sure to be less pressure, 26-30th bad moon phase and increase in pressure but historically good and everything after should be great rut hunting but highest increase in hunting pressure. interested in everyones thoughts on this thread.
From: PAbowhunter1064
06-Oct-20
October 3rd!!! :)
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
06-Oct-20
Jeeze! I got 3 for 3C! Plus my buck tag. Hoping to get the buck in archery. Gets tough during gun. Even with limited pressure where I am
From: Rut Nut
06-Oct-20
You ruined your season Josh! Now what you gonna do when the Rut kicks in?! ;-)
Nick- I like to be able to take a doe wherever I hunt. I’ll be lucky to fill 3 or4 of those doe tags, but like to have the option if more opportunities are presented.
From: PAbowhunter1064
06-Oct-20
I did ruin my season, Perry! Now it’s up to my dad and Katie to get their buck! I’ll play guide and babysitter during November. In all seriousness, make sure your in a tree on November 7th, no matter where you hunt! Good luck folks, and may your arrow find it’s mark!
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
06-Oct-20
Perry, we got a few pretty solid spots at least to fill doe tags. There’s buck, but harder to come by the second week. And we keep an 8 pt restriction....however the last 2 years there’s a huge 5 pointer walking around. Big forks on both sides and usually just one brow that’s like 2 inches. So if he shows up this year he’s on the menu. Get the 5 point genes outta the farm haha!
From: Teeton
06-Oct-20
How many if you actually factor in bear hunting into your decision on time off?
From: Shawn
07-Oct-20
I 100 percent feel moon phase has no effect on the timing of the rut but I believe it does effect deer movement. If you choose the first week of November make sure you are in your stand during the mid day from like 10 to 2. This last week with the full moon the deer moved a ton during mid day. Than went back to bed around 4pm and did not move again until right before dark. Shawn
From: Rut Nut
07-Oct-20
I kinda factor in bear hunting when I plan my vacation, but I see most of them before or after the season. I'll probably split up my week this year and take a couple days the last week in Oct, one the first week of Nov. and then the 2 days the second week in Nov.
I LOVE unique rack bucks Nick- I'd be huntin' hard for that 5 pt! ;-)
Stick- I think you nailed it! Katie's gonna whack a monster in the RUT this year while josh is changing dirty diapers! : )
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
07-Oct-20
rut nut- Oh I see him yearly. Same field. Always right at last light. He steps out this year the 6.5 creedmore will be barking. Usually don’t get many buck chances during bow. Usually fill that tag in rifle if I’m lucky
From: MF
07-Oct-20
I always take the last week of October thru 1st week of November. They're still hittin scrapes then but I hunt in north central mountains in Tioga. Been getting a bear tag last few years.
From: PAbowhunter1064
07-Oct-20
Leave it to Rut & Stick to really take the wind out of a fella’s sail....now I know why Katie was so happy I got a buck early! I didn’t think about spending the rut watching Baby Shark over, and over, and over.....
From: Patdel
07-Oct-20
If possible try to put it off till the last minute. Watch the weather and pick the cooler week.
From: Rut Nut
14-Oct-20
LMBO Josh! : )
Think I decided.........................................taking OFF 10/29 and 10/30 and 11/12 and 11/13. Might add 11/3 if weather looks good.
