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Chris Straub of Cloverdale killed this great nine-pointer on Monday while hunting on private land (in Botetourt County) with his uncle, James Firebaugh.

This is Straub's first buck and his uncle reported that it came after his nephew endured a frustrating season last year.

Teddy Ratcliffe killed this great seven-pointer earlier this week in Franklin County.

This is a mature buck with some interesting character. Notice that it is missing its G-2 on the right antler, and the G-1 on the left antler.

I love bucks with character and I'd be smiling like Teddy if I killed this bruiser.

Regular reader/poster Matt just posted a comment on another thread that I feel deserves its own life. So here it is:

"Have any of y'all been in the woods this week? I'm curious as to what stage everyone thinks the rut is in. I've been hunting in Roanoke Co. all day today and have only had two spikes walk by my stand. Not seeing any rub lines or scapes in the usual locations either. I figured the action woould be picking up right about this time but I just haven't seen it so far."

I wish I could add some input but I haven't hunted all week. But that should change Saturday. From what I've been hearing daytime rut behavior has been pretty quiet. But I really think it should pick up as we get away from the full moon (which was Monday). Next week should be better, and could be really awesome if the weather is colder than what forecasters are calling for.

So, what are you guys seeing?

Oh, and while I'm at it, has anyone been hunting from pop-up blinds and willing to talk to me for a story. Just e-mail me separately. Thanks.

How much does Kevin Heath Jr. love hunting? While most kids his age were getting ready to knock on doors and ask for candy on Halloween evening, this 9-year-old from Bedford County was out hunting.

So, when he didn't have school on Tuesday morning, you know where he was going to be. He shot this nice doe and three-point buck that morning while hunting with his dad.

These are deer three and four for Kevin Jr. this season, so he's certainly doing his part for herd management in deer-rich Bedford County.

Chris Sigmon hadn't gotten a chance to hunt this year until the muzzleloader opener. Sigmon, who has just been hunting a few years, said the hunt turned out to be the shortest in his brief career of chasing whitetails.

He had been in the stand only a few minutes on Saturday afternoon when he turned to see this doe staring at him at a range of just 40 yards. Because he was hunting in an earn-a-buck county, Sigmon had already made up his mind to shoot a mature doe if he got the opportunity.

The deer was on to him, stomping and trying to get him to move. But Sigmon was patient. After about five minutes the deer turned and offered a broadside shot.

Sigmon had a great commentary on his hunt. Here's what he wrote: "I'm 23 and have only been hunting since I was 19; I always wonder if seasoned hunters only get excited over bucks. I cannot control my heart rate when I see any deer, which is why I love hunting."

I'm not sure I'd call myself a veteran, but I've been hunting deer for about 30 years. My heart still pounds whenever I get a deer close, even if it's one I have no intention of shooting.

With a day off of school for 8-year-old Chris, Ralph and his son headed to a private land spot has in Bedford County.

After Ralph got a shot at this seven-pointer, he let Chris help with the tracking, the field dressing and then the skinning -- all important parts of the whole process. He included a traditional hero shot of him and Chris with the deer, but I really loved this picture.

Here's what Ralph wrote about the hunt: "All in all it was a wonderful father-son day.... a small buck but a very special one all the same. To me the real "trophy" has nothing to do with the size of the animal..... the real trophy is the HUNT itself."

Hey, can anyone tell that I'm getting slammed with pictures? Wow. This is starting to feel like work!

Jimmy Fuller sent in these trailcam shots taken on public land in Bland County.

Like me, he's not experienced with estimating antler scores so he was hoping someone would offer estimated Boone and Crockett scores on these bucks.

Freddy McGuire had a productive week last week, knocking down two does in Franklin County, which effectively earned him the opportunity to fill all three of his buck tags if he gets the chance.

Well, Monday he got the chance to get started.

He saw four shooters but this was the only one he could get a shot at. He made the shot at this great eight-pointer it count.

Interestingly, he added that he saw no signs of rutting behavior. But I've been hearing more reports about bucks on the prowl so it's getting going.

Ralph Booth killed this coyote Monday morning while deer hunting in Franklin County.

This was one of three together and Booth said he thinks he now knows why he hasn't seen any turkeys while hunting that property this year.

All that squirrel hunting practice paid of for 5-year-old Gary Justus on Saturday evening during a Highland County hunt with his mentor, grandma Donna Justus.

They were in a shooting house overlooking a food plot when four deer came into the field. This was the biggest doe. Gary sat in Donna's lap as he took aim. Donna said he was nervous but she helped try to keep him calm as he aimed at the doe, which was about 50 yards away.

Gary did his part and the shot was perfect.