Post by Woody Williams on Oct 29, 2006 10:22:45 GMT -5
Don't get down on the rain; it's a boon for deer hunters
By Steve Ford (Contact)
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Contrary to what most might think, Friday was good for something.
While a cool, steady rain makes most outdoor activity unpleasant at best, it can be a boon to the deer hunter this time of the year.
It presents several opportunities for the hardy set with a good set of camo rain gear.
First of all, it makes deer stupid. Several experienced bow hunters I know like to use a late October rain for a walk-and-stalk session.
Rain allows a seasoned bowman to get close to deer because it masks scent and sound. It also confuses deer enough to give a hunter that extra second needed to draw their bow and accurately launch an arrow.
Rain is also a prime time to scout for the gun hunter and an additional opportunity to hang a tree stand.
Since the rain masks sound and scent, it creates a window to get a stand up without disturbing deer or alerting their nose because the rain immediately washes human scent away.
And you thought Friday was a bust.
- Every year every outdoor agency in the Tri-State puts out the same warning to motorists.
In various forms it will say: "Be on the lookout for deer." Well, it's that time.
Deer are starting to show up in the headlights almost nightly for me on my drive home from work and I've already had one near miss.
Actually, though, I would've blamed myself. You see I was still watching the one that crossed well in front of me on my left without thinking - as we all should right now - that another whitetail might be following it. And one was.
But the large doe stopped with just her front hooves on the pavement and I was able to swing around her at the last second. Then, 200 yards up the road, I saw a nice buck who wasn't the least bit happy I stopped to watch him.
Deer are really starting to move. Drivers beware!
- Some deer watchers are operating under that mistaken impression the rut has begun because they've seen a few bucks chasing does.
Chase is the key word here. White-tailed deer are simply in the early flirtation stage when bucks, and usually smaller ones at that, start to chase does.
When the does get ripe, enter estrus, they will simply quit running and allow themselves to be bred when a suitable male arrives in their patch of woods.
The rut is still a week or more away. When we start seeing buck's noses buried at the base of the tail of their ladies, that's when the rut is here. That's when the bucks throw caution to the wind and really begin to roam.
- Firearms seasons are almost here, too.
Kentucky comes in first in zones one and two (Western Kentucky) on Nov. 11 and runs through Nov. 26.
Illinois comes in next Nov. 17-19. Then the second short season is Nov. 30-Dec. 3.
Indiana's firearms season begins on Saturday, Nov. 18, and runs through Dec. 3.
www.courierpress.com/news/2006/oct/29/dont-get-down-on-the-rain-its-a-boon-for-deer/
By Steve Ford (Contact)
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Contrary to what most might think, Friday was good for something.
While a cool, steady rain makes most outdoor activity unpleasant at best, it can be a boon to the deer hunter this time of the year.
It presents several opportunities for the hardy set with a good set of camo rain gear.
First of all, it makes deer stupid. Several experienced bow hunters I know like to use a late October rain for a walk-and-stalk session.
Rain allows a seasoned bowman to get close to deer because it masks scent and sound. It also confuses deer enough to give a hunter that extra second needed to draw their bow and accurately launch an arrow.
Rain is also a prime time to scout for the gun hunter and an additional opportunity to hang a tree stand.
Since the rain masks sound and scent, it creates a window to get a stand up without disturbing deer or alerting their nose because the rain immediately washes human scent away.
And you thought Friday was a bust.
- Every year every outdoor agency in the Tri-State puts out the same warning to motorists.
In various forms it will say: "Be on the lookout for deer." Well, it's that time.
Deer are starting to show up in the headlights almost nightly for me on my drive home from work and I've already had one near miss.
Actually, though, I would've blamed myself. You see I was still watching the one that crossed well in front of me on my left without thinking - as we all should right now - that another whitetail might be following it. And one was.
But the large doe stopped with just her front hooves on the pavement and I was able to swing around her at the last second. Then, 200 yards up the road, I saw a nice buck who wasn't the least bit happy I stopped to watch him.
Deer are really starting to move. Drivers beware!
- Some deer watchers are operating under that mistaken impression the rut has begun because they've seen a few bucks chasing does.
Chase is the key word here. White-tailed deer are simply in the early flirtation stage when bucks, and usually smaller ones at that, start to chase does.
When the does get ripe, enter estrus, they will simply quit running and allow themselves to be bred when a suitable male arrives in their patch of woods.
The rut is still a week or more away. When we start seeing buck's noses buried at the base of the tail of their ladies, that's when the rut is here. That's when the bucks throw caution to the wind and really begin to roam.
- Firearms seasons are almost here, too.
Kentucky comes in first in zones one and two (Western Kentucky) on Nov. 11 and runs through Nov. 26.
Illinois comes in next Nov. 17-19. Then the second short season is Nov. 30-Dec. 3.
Indiana's firearms season begins on Saturday, Nov. 18, and runs through Dec. 3.
www.courierpress.com/news/2006/oct/29/dont-get-down-on-the-rain-its-a-boon-for-deer/
Did find a couple of rub lines and some beds that I expected to find some deer in... Now I've got a good idea where I'll be concentrating my efforts next weekend!