2009.11.06
Enough pix for a bit. What's everybody seeing?
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.
I went Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning/afternoon. Tuesday morning was the most active with 6 does, no bucks. Afternoons were a bust. Not seeing much rut activity. Hope it picks up! Bedford Co.
Comment by Carl C — November 6, 2009 @ 2:02 am
I shot a doe on Oct. 31st and her hocks were really dark. I believe that is what they are called, the inside part of the joint on both hind legs. From what I've heard, dark hocks are a sign of a deer in heat because there is a gland in that area that secretes. Then yesterday, Nov. 4th, a little 4 pointer came close to my stand around 5:40PM as light was almost gone; he shook his horns on some bushes and made some real big scrapes. He was being so loud.
Comment by Chris Sigmon — November 6, 2009 @ 2:52 am
that was in Franklin county by the way...
Comment by Chris Sigmon — November 6, 2009 @ 2:53 am
I went out late today and heard a buck grunting in the distant so giving a grunt call I could hear it getting closer, but as misfortune would have it.
Some guys pulled up near to were I was hunting about 300 yds. Talking loudly it sounded like some school girls chattering about the latest Hannah Montana show.
Needless to say, 5 minutes into their 15 minute sound arrangement the buck shut down.
By the way thanks Jeff, Greg, and Steve we really know you think of others when you enter the hunting territory.
Comment by Static Lines — November 6, 2009 @ 4:35 am
JR Mitchell reporting from Franklin Co.
"Not much in the way of rutting here off Sontag Road. The doe's are every where, and the landowner has seen doe's every morning chasing a small buck away at the field I shot their friend at Saturday evening. Hanging a new stand Sunday, I did find a small rub and a scrape down by the creek but other than that, It's awful quite out here. Mark now back to you."
Comment by J.R. — November 6, 2009 @ 6:40 am
In the woods in roanoke co this week, Ive seen a few nice rubs no scrapes. Have seen a couple of young does, spikes, and one decent buck (had no shot on him) Havent seen any chasing yet, hopefully next week.
Comment by A East — November 6, 2009 @ 11:18 am
FRIDAY NOV. 6th: I saw my first real series of scrapes (scrape line) in Upper Floyd County on Tuesday afternoon. Saw several good sized, fresh trees that had been rubbed. Set up with James Valley Scent Wall Hangar and killed a 200 pound 6 point who was definitely looking for "a date to the prom". In Roanoke, I have seen precious little sign as of November 4th. I notice increase doe activity in my neighborhood last night. My prediction is the best time period in Roanoke County will be Nov 11th-16th.
--Congrats on the big six, Quigg. Let's see a picture. My uncle is a big fan of James Valley scents, which come from near his home in South Dakota. I hope you're right about next week as it will be my first opportunity to hunt much since the first week of bow season. mt
Comment by Quigg Lawrence — November 6, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
Hello Mark , Things have been really quiet my way . I was hunting my favorite spot in floyd last friday which is the spot that i e-mailed you the last couple of years with success of a 10 pt. and 12pt. kill .
I had a buck come down from the ridge top to my left of my stand and not seeing the deer or know what it was i grunted a couple of times . I then heard the deer out in the field which is full of branches and broom-sage .
He was rubbing bushes or branches with his rack . I then grunted again and he then turned so i could see him . Man i thought what a buck .
The deer then turned and came in like he was on a string . He got within 25 yards which is plenty close . He then stopped and stood there which the vitals were not exposed , they were hidden behind a bush .
He stood there for a min. sent checking the air then just turned and walked back where he came from . This was a really nice buck i would say now that i've seen a few of these deer the 140 inch class 10pt.
As i went to my stand that day the air was perfect . But sometime during the hunt the air or wind shifted a bit which was just enough to favor the deer . But you know it's not always about the kill . it's the experience to get to see a deer like this which was really cool .
Not seeing much activity other than that .
Sonny
Comment by Sonny Hodges — November 6, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
Still quiet out in roanoke co. this morning, although the weather is just about perfect. I'm with you Mark - I think the deer are running around all night long. I plan to sit it out all day so we'll see if the action starts to pick up around mid-day.
Comment by Matt — November 6, 2009 @ 6:09 pm
Not seeing anything in Franklin County,finally have seen some scrapes the last couple days. I think it will kick in soon as we lose this moon.
Comment by j — November 6, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
I think it's just getting started here in my part of Bedford and Franklin Counties. Starting to see bucks with does but not really chasing. Next week should see an increase in chasing and rutting activity.
The warmer weather on the way might push all their activity to after dark. It's still going to happen whether we are there to see it or not!
Comment by Freddy McGuire — November 6, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
You all are making me feel better about not being able to hunt this week. Maybe the light switch will go on tonight and things will be great when I finally get in the woods tomorrow.
By the way, when I used the words "Enough pix for a bit" I was actually referring to my taking a short break from posting. Please keep sending them. I'll get back to posting pix today. I have no choice or I'd be buried in them in short order.
Mark
Comment by Mark Taylor — November 6, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
One doe seen on 10/31, no shot though. Watched a spike chasing a doe on Wed. AM in Roanoke City near my house, went out that evening in Roanoke Co. and saw severel doe's and one buck, not a shooter. Had an excellent shot at one doe so decided to take it and CLICK!, primer never ignited the powder. They did not stay around to find out what that sound was. Went back Thurs. evening same spot only moved to a pop up blind and at 5 start to see deer only to get a shot and make a bad hit, doe went down but watched her make it into some really thick stuff. No blood that I could find and I looked and looked, no blood where she was standing either. Second time in my career that this has happened to me and it is just as frustrating as it was the first time. I hope Quigg is right about next week because I am off and hoping for redemption.
Comment by Jim Basham — November 6, 2009 @ 6:52 pm
Mark, things are real slow here in Rockbridge County. I have hunted Saturday through Wednesday. Seen two 4 points, by themselves, one small 8 and a huge ten together ( Didn't offer a shot due to heavy brush ) This time of year, you just don't useally see a big buck with another buck. He should be out searching for doe's. Seeing no rut activity at all. I was to be off all this week, but went back to work yesterday. Save a few days for next week. Hope things will be better by then.
Comment by Todd Hostetter — November 6, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
Nelson County: have just begun to see bucks mixed in with does.
Comment by JB — November 6, 2009 @ 7:19 pm
Mark, I hunted all day Monday,Tuesday and Wed. in Franklin and Pittsylvania Counties. My properties are horned and scraped up pretty good but buck movement is just not happening during the day right now...although a buddy saw two shooters slip quickly across one of our food plots about 8 am Monday but they didnt stop to eat.(Pitt county) The moon change this week will help a lot. I did hear some fairly aggressive sparing the other morning right at day break.(Boones Mill) They sounded like pretty good bucks! The only thing that came to my grunt was a 4 pointer and then he bedded below my stand at 8 am. That tells me he was up all night doing his thing due to the BRIGHT moon. If the temps will stay down I think this week will heat up. Hope to have better news next week.
Comment by Chuck Sharp — November 6, 2009 @ 7:43 pm
On Tuesday here in Franklin County (Callaway area) I had a small 6 and a doe approaching my stand when I heard a grunt from farther in the woods. A little spike came running down the logging road and started trying to spar with the other buck. These two youngsters ended up chasing each other down the mountain and I never saw them again. The doe had no clue what was going on, and eventually left as well. I have seen several horned trees, but they have been horned since the second week of October. Nothing new as of late.
Comment by gun for hire — November 6, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
I actually have a deer report. I just saw two nice does, either of which I could have shot with my bow. The problem was I was in the city of Roanoke, on a run on the cross country trails behind Patrick Henry high school. I also saw a scrape on the one of the trails.
The landowner at the property I will be hunting starting tomorrow reported that he saw a nice eight-pointer yesterday evening while driving in to the property. But I'm not sure if it was after dark.
Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good about my decision to take most of next week off to hunt. (Though I will have my laptop and will be blogging from hunt camp.)
Comment by Mark Taylor — November 6, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
ON the second page of thursday, nov 5 paper the caption under the photo reads"Jerry Borger with two coyotes. Er,one of the coyotes is a bobcat.
I cant believe that the outdoor writer did not spot this.......
--Er, I did spot it, Jerry. After it showed up in the paper. I put the picture of Jerry on this blog about a week ago. And, yes, I knew that one was a coyote and one was a bobcat. But I don't pick the photos for those Page 2 teasers, nor do I write the captions. And, unfortunately, the guy who did made the mistake. Not that I haven't made mistakes before, but I didn't make that one. But, thanks for making sure I was aware of the error. mt
Comment by Jerry Schrade — November 6, 2009 @ 10:08 pm
No sign of bucks chasing does. Some scrape acitivity and quite a bit of horning in my area. Hunted every day so far, with results 72 doe seen 5 buck seen. 3 spike, 1 3 point and a 6 point. Have not seen any chasing yet. I have several shooter buck on trail camera at night. As yet none have been visible durihg daylight. Botetourt county
Comment by Ron Durham — November 7, 2009 @ 5:13 am
I've been hunting in Roanoke Co. since the beginning of bow season. I killed one doe during the first week. Haven't seen any bucks on that property. I have had two bears near my stand. One was pretty small and the other was a decent bear, but never game me a shot.
However, I was hunting in Pittsylvania Co. on election day and saw two nice bucks. The first trotted across the small field that I was hunting at about 80 yards around 8:15am. The second was an absolute giant. Twelve+ points with LOTS of mass and length. He came in the field to my left where a big tree had blown over and I couldn't get a shot. Made me absolutely sick. He started chasing a doe around for the next 20 minutes, in and out of the field. This was around 9:30am. Needless to say, I will be taking my muzzleloader with me from now on.
Seems like the first hints of the rut are kicking in. Hopefully this cooler weather will hold.
Good luck everyone and be safe
Comment by John Branson — November 8, 2009 @ 1:47 am
Not seeing much in Smyth Co. over the past couple of days. I did go this morning and saw a little spike with his nose on the ground as he worked the ridge below me. Other than that, only one scrape and a few rubs and no shooters (130 & up). Hopefully things will start picking up in the next few days.
Comment by Tyler Sheets — November 8, 2009 @ 8:27 am
Update on buck activity in Callaway. Was hunting yesterday and before good shooting light, a buck fed by my stand and walked out the ridge. After about 15 minutes, I use a bleat can and called the buck back to within 20 yards. Turned out to be a nice, heavy 7 point buck the dressed out at 151 pounds. Later in the morning while waiting for a doe, I saw a small spike and used the can again and called him to within 15 yards. I never wished a buck would have been a doe, but with Franklin being an "earn a buck" county, had to let this guy go.
Comment by gun for hire — November 9, 2009 @ 5:32 am
Here's a thought on "baiting deer":
1)If bucks are in bachelor groups... And does are together with the incursion of some smaller bucks why is baiting a problem?
2)I mean-if the purpose of baiting is to stop the transmission of diseases wouldn't these same diseases spread when deer ultimately come-together in their various groups to mate?
3)Then if baiting is illegal then shouldn't using scent be just as illegal? And should stores that sale these various food baits Deer Cane, Buck Licker, Acorn Rage aerosol and pour feed as well as Come'er Deer Should the be fined for selling these different products.
4) If you use these various items wouldn't that increase the number of harvested deer to decrease the population, when deer will in most cases avoid some of these baited areas for their more natural available food sources?
Still if it was to decrease deer numbers it would be viable to bait areas to bring in does to decrease their numbers to increase a positive number of bucks to does through out the county.
5)Some people say to get a big buck you have to play the wind, know were acorn trees are, but on average all of the trophy bucks pictured were harvested on family owned property isn't their something to Big Bucks staying in a safe perimeter of private land?
No matter what we may think, I feel baiting don't enhance your chance on a trophy buck or doe it's the luck of the draw, but baiting do sway the hunters advantage in decreasing the numbers of unwanted or controlling the deer population.
A lot of questions what's your take.
Comment by Static Lines — November 9, 2009 @ 5:50 am
I got out over a greenfield for a couple hours yesterday evening. Saw a good number of does. Only two bucks. A 3-inch spike and a little six-pointer. The six was chasing around.
All of the deer were pretty freaked out by my young buck/doe decoy set-up but a few (including the six-pointer) came close enough to investigate that I could have killed them with my Hawken. Will be in the woods in the early morning and tomorrow no mature doe that comes close enough is getting a pass.
mt
Comment by Mark Taylor — November 9, 2009 @ 5:52 am
Hey mark found that bone i was looking for this past sat Nov. 7th.8 ptr. 17.5 inside spread 19.5 outside spread.Came in behind me about 10 minutes after i had used the old BUCK ROAR.1 shot with the KNIGHT @ 35 yards and he was mine.This was around 9:00. I will send you a picture when I download them on the computer.
-Congrats. Looking forward to seeingthe pix. mt
Comment by Brian Porterfield — November 9, 2009 @ 8:26 am
I hunted last Wednesday to Saturday in Floyd, Carroll and Grayson County. I took a doe in Floyd, never saw the first buck or sign of rutting. Carroll County - saw all does (too far to shoot with muzzleloader) but I saw some fresh rubs on trees. I also saw a small 8 and 4 pointer sniffing a doe on the farm next door on the way to the store. In Grayson, I saw a lot of does (too far again) and a small spike and a pretty good 7 pointer (I'd say a 2 1/2 yr old) came running through the field at 4pm, I don't think he knew where he was. My Uncle and cousin hunting the same property saw two small 8 pointers still running together just eating in a field. I did find 7 fresh scrapes in Grayson on Saturday morning so I think the rut is getting cranked up and this week will be the time to be out there. I'm also seeing a lot of small bucks and does dead on the sides of roads.
Comment by Jason — November 9, 2009 @ 6:54 pm
I believe the RUT is here (11/13/09) hunting friends!!! I saw a very mature 10 point buck this morning with his nose in a doe's rear standing just 15 yards off the side of a secondary road. You don't see big bucks like this during the daylight in this area at all and I drive by there every morning/evening. I've also heard from friends that they have seen mature bucks with does already too! Today and tomorrow I bet there will be some whoppers laid down. Good luck everybody!
Comment by Jason — November 13, 2009 @ 6:46 pm
Things are still quiet in roanoke...starting to see more rubs and scrapes popping up but the bucks still don't appear to be interested in the ladies thus far...I took most of my hunting vacation time the past two weeks and haven't had much to show for it...at least in the area where I'm hunting, rifle season appears to be the golden ticket.
Comment by Matt — November 13, 2009 @ 7:41 pm