Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Deer Sign in Woods


Wobbler

Recommended Posts

I was out 2 weeks ago grouse hunting and hardly saw any rubs and only 1 scrape. I will be out next week during MEA and was just curious if any of you have seen an increase in sign over the last 2 weeks. I have heard no because it is too hot but rut activity I thought was more tied to length of day and moon phase more so than weather. I hunt the big woods up north of Duluth and maybe I am the only one but I want it to cool off soon to get those deer moving.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Haven't seen squat thankfully, I'd rather have that sign show up closer to opener, then those scrapes tend to get visited by the breeding bucks in the area during the hunt, too soon and the scrapes in my area usually go dormant, the rut is daylight driven, between now and Halloween things will really get going.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with everything you said. Last year I had off the whole first week and the activity really picked up that first Wednesday of hunting. The weather changed colder and the bucks really were working up scrapes and rubs. We took 4 dandy bucks last year among us 4 and I was hoping nobody else was seeing squat. It makes me feel so much better Musky Buck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

it will be a couple more weeks untill we see a big increase in rutting activity, being scrapes and rubs. last week of october and first week of november every year guaranteed most activity.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hate to wish for no activity but time has proven if they are in my area heavy in October there gone by November I don't mean totally gone but if there is minimal October traffic, November and timing with the opener usually means good things. Ideally, I want to find 1 huge fresh scrape on opening day mid-day and I'm generally in business and I'm hunting every daylight minute I can as he'll be back with the doe or without if he's done. Can't control if he gets blistered by another opening morning. But hunting way off the road in farm country those active breeding scrapes are golden and a good source for shooting hour movement as they feel fairly secure. I would guess 18-25 bucks taken have been scrape related, I actually like an early opening date as if they don't have a doe they may check that scrape and refreshen often, later opening date usually means he's got a doe or 2 in hand and is spending less time at the scrape and more time in the fields at night finding his next doe coming into heat and no longer needing to run the scrape as frequently as he has does coming into heat and he will follow her and try to guide her through the scrape but it becomes less mandatory plus then the pressure factor kicks into gear, my 4 cents lol.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Havent seen any amount of rubs and scrapes around the Bemidji and up to Kelliher area this cold snap hopefully will get those deer moving, the last few days has been slow in the stand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

activity really picked up that first Wednesday of hunting.

Glad you mentioned Wed of last year which was Nov 9th. The 9th-12th have been our best hunting days for mature bucks, I've got a journal and most of our mature buck sightings/shooting have come on those days. I schedule my vacation around them every year. The 8th has been pretty good too and opening day has alwasy been good too.

Sorry to get off topic, I think things will slowly start ramping up and we will start seeing the usual late Oct activity pretty soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know last year my cousin driving bus route I should've been out the monster was chasing a doe at 7AM running right at my stand location dog gone it anyway on November 10th.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You'd have to kill me to keep me out of the woods Nov 8-12, I think the 10th and the 11th are the best but anything in that area is gold.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here goes what i have been seeing. I was out for the Wisconsin early antlerless hunt. I have been seeing alot of bucks, but have seen an upswing this week as corn came down. Bucks are actively seeking out Does. I saw 3 bucks trailing after does in the last 3 days, head down nose to the ground. It should really start to get exciting over the next week to 10 days.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just got back in and found two scrapes on my hour walk with the kids looking for some birds. Looks like the fun is not too far away from our stands!! winkgrin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In the couple years i've hunted this property i've never seen this many scrapes and rubs appear at any time in the fall. October 3rd they showed up and its just intensified. More scrapes put down every time i go out there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Me to, but as I decided to climb my stand and check my lanes, a little clipping here and there as I cut the lanes in February each year, the 3rd trip up the stand and a 3.5 year old+ 10 pointer decided to walk by, helps the optimism for this year!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Been trying to help my buddies with deer sign and to not be too mislead, I get the tree rubs everywhere each year, I asked honestly how many he said maybe 20. I said realize it could be 1 buck that did that especially if the trees are of a fairly same size structure. I asked them as a teenager how many rubs would you have made lol ? 20 rubs might equal about a half hour of rubbing. They hate my realistic view, they'll be jacked up regardless lol. I also added to somber faces see that 320 acres of soybeans that is now plowed under, no other crops in their section, you just lost half your herd possibly and muzzleloader will be really bleak. The does will stay in touch with the area food sources and the bucks and fawns will follow. Corn is coming off rapidly guys and most have no need to dry it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.