Free: Contests & Raffles.
I was disappointed with the deer activity where I was today. Bumped a couple singles in brush too heavy to see them. Did a few rattling sets and the first one yielded my typical “success” (an unidentified deer bouncing away that I didn’t see before or after it leapt away). I have decent results rattling deer to my vicinity but I’ve never seen one of them well enough to see if it’s a buck, let alone kill it. Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing more harm than good because while they come towards me, they are extremely alert/cautious. Maybe I’m just bringing the dinks so far and one day a bruiser will come crashing in.[/quoteI suggest rattling from a tree stand or from a position that prevents bucks from getting down wind of you (cliff/creek/wide open clearcut with no cover) - that allows you to add a bit of control in determining what direction a buck will come in from. BT rarely run right in to a hunter rattling - it happens, but not very often. More likely, they might take 10, 20, or even 30 minutes to make their way toward your position. If at all possible, a cautious buck will likely work it's way around you to get downwind in an attempt to scent check just what you are. If you can't eliminate an approach from that side of you, stay hidden and pay extra attention to your downwind side. I find this type of hunting to be the most exciting when bucks are around. Trail cams around my apple trees show that the deer are pretty calm in my area in Stella. Had another 3 pt. show up in early daylight yesterday, but he was eating apples and did not scent check the area much. Traveling up to Mason tomorrow to end the season there. Willipa Hills was blown out this AM where I went today. I'm not feeling too lucky - I seem to mostly see only young bucks once the peak of the rut has passed.
Vail was rough today. Saw 7 does and 1 spike. Sat the cut I like my buck in 2 years ago from 12:30-5. Turned up 4 of the deer in the cut. Not one mature buck came and checked does.
I suggest rattling from a tree stand or from a position that prevents bucks from getting down wind of you (cliff/creek/wide open clearcut with no cover) - that allows you to add a bit of control in determining what direction a buck will come in from. BT rarely run right in to a hunter rattling - it happens, but not very often. More likely, they might take 10, 20, or even 30 minutes to make their way toward your position. If at all possible, a cautious buck will likely work it's way around you to get downwind in an attempt to scent check just what you are. If you can't eliminate an approach from that side of you, stay hidden and pay extra attention to your downwind side. I find this type of hunting to be the most exciting when bucks are around. Trail cams around my apple trees show that the deer are pretty calm in my area in Stella. Had another 3 pt. show up in early daylight yesterday, but he was eating apples and did not scent check the area much. Traveling up to Mason tomorrow to end the season there. Willipa Hills was blown out this AM where I went today. I'm not feeling too lucky - I seem to mostly see only young bucks once the peak of the rut has passed.
