Finally saw a little chasing tonight. A little basket rack was dogging a doe all through the woods.
What are you all seeing?
Been seeing a lot of does and small bucks. I have seen a lot of scrapes laid down in the past week. Just about time to take off work for a couple weeks.
Thanks masthead. I will be taking two weeks off to hunt in November!
I got a bunch of pics of bucks working scrapes during the night and a picture of a big mature buck cruising around at 10:49 am. It is heating up.
Been really slow around home in Putnam county. Had a couple does/fawns in, but haven't spotted a horn from the stand yet. We really got nailed by the EHD in my area last year - best I can tell we lost around 70% of our deer last summer.
I did hang another stand last night on an old crossing into standing corn that I forgot about from 2 years ago. Remembered it yesterday and went to check it out - lots of rubs around there and a 6 ft diameter scrape - somebody is thinking about the rut.
I got down your way (Owen Cty) to track a deer a week ago - saw LOTS of deer between Spencer and Patricksburg - looks like the EHD passed over that area.
Best of luck all in Hoosierland!
R
Been fairly slow before this week, sounds like they are starting to move now.
I have been seeing deer. I have only seen one decent 8 point. Unfortunately, I have not had any shots yet.
Saw the first chase of the year yesterday. Two small bucks chasing a doe. Nothing serious, but the first of the season. Next couple of weeks should get good!
Good luck everyone!
I've had a pair of does within 10 yards twice, no shot available. I'll be trying again Saturday. No rubs or scrapes that I've sen yet.
I've seen deer nearly every time I've been out this year. Not much sign of rut activity yet that I've seen in Orange County. Plan on checkin' again tomorrow though!
Been a strange year so far for me. Not much doe activity, but have been seeing mature bucks for the past 2 weeks! Had a very unfortunate mis-hap 2 weeks ago on a non-recovery...very nice 9 pt. Had a nice 8pt at 15 yards 3 open shots last Saturday that I had to pass. All in Putnam county. Just about to head that direction now to try and fill doe tags.
kinda slow here in madison county. going out tomorow morning to try my luck! a friend saw a doe and a small buck but no shot where we hunt, good cool nights should starting seeing them move now. good luck to everyone out hunting this evening!!
I haven't been out much but am going out this evening. I've seen one doe while on stand that stayed out in the middle of the field.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1000157.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/P1000157.jpg.html)
Good shooting there Rob. Congrat's.
That is one beautiful picture Rob! Happy for ya.
Thanks guys! I haven't seen much as far as chasing goes. That buck was on his feet moving at a good pace about an hour after a couple doe had moved through.
With my buck tag filled I'm sure I will be able to give some good buck reports this weekend. :D
Should be a good one.
Rob
QuoteOriginally posted by Ryan Rothhaar:
Been really slow around home in Putnam county. Had a couple does/fawns in, but haven't spotted a horn from the stand yet. We really got nailed by the EHD in my area last year - best I can tell we lost around 70% of our deer last summer.
I did hang another stand last night on an old crossing into standing corn that I forgot about from 2 years ago. Remembered it yesterday and went to check it out - lots of rubs around there and a 6 ft diameter scrape - somebody is thinking about the rut.
I got down your way (Owen Cty) to track a deer a week ago - saw LOTS of deer between Spencer and Patricksburg - looks like the EHD passed over that area.
Best of luck all in Hoosierland!
R
Hey Ryan......PM inbound!
One lone small bodied 8 point worked his way past at 40 yards this evening about 6pm. Will try again in the morning.
Saw two small bucks acting itchy while driving g between jobs today. Hunted this evening and saw two doe, each with a fawn in tow.
The action has really been heating up here. Saw a really nice buck last night with a doe. Also found a lot if scrapes.
Bucks still on acorns here. Passed on 11 does / fawns this morn under 15 tds. Took one thur morn in snow and have let 16 small bucks walk one 150" 4by 7 th at tested me twice now 1/4 mile apart. No rut action yet. Parke co
I used smoke as a cover scent then I walk through a corn field against the rows. That's a tough way to walk through a corn field if your trying to NOT knock down cornstalks. Every 3-4 rows had big dog like tracks running one way or the other (like they/it was patrolling) until I got closer to the edge of the woods. There were deer tracks everywhere with a good bit of corn damage. But I never saw a deer. I had a hawk perch in a tree not 10 yds from me. I was standing a couple of rows into the corn wear my ghillie. I figured it was a redtail since it was facing me I couldn't tell for sure then it hopped to another branch facing away and discovered it was a Cooper's. That was cool but no deer.
Saw an average eight this morning and 7 does/fawns this afternoon (the fawns were with their mamas). Also 3 deer near my truck right at dark-thirty.
Saw one small buck at 25 yards this morning, but no clear shot. Beautiful morning though!
Only saw 2 does the whole weekend. No shot on either; Very poor Oct. for me.
Little bit of warmup here, scrapes are getting opened. I sat the stand on the fence crossing I mentioned hanging in the post before on Friday PM - had a 2 1/2 yr old 4X4 under me working the scrape that nite. I took 16 minutes of video of him, doing the whole deal - licking branch, peeing down the hocks, digging in the scrape, he even stood up on his hind legs and got his antlers in the branches above the scrape for a bit. Nice video - he was at 5 yards the whole time. He was within 30 yards of me for over half an hour and never caught on. Hope he wises up enough to make it another year or two - he won't get a pass from me then! Had a 1 1/2 yr old 4X4 come under me in the same tree saturday AM. They are starting to squirrel around some.
R
Ryan sounds like that will be some excellent footage to see.
Will you be posting it?
Few days ago I knew of just one scrape. Yesterday I did some scouting and came across 31 different scrapes and many rubs. Too bad warm weather and thunderstorms are in the forecast for a few days! Debating on whether to take Friday off still or not.
Here's some scat that was right next to the rub in the next picture. Also, there were places in the same spot deer had bedded.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/varmint101/null_zps94f41914.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/varmint101/null_zps8390404a.jpg)
Largest scrape seen. This one is here every year I believe, but I haven't been in the area for a long while to see. Good ole beech tree!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/varmint101/null_zps8fc2f319.jpg)
Saw a buck briefly at a distance at last light.
Stayed on the ground in ghillie today. Saw 4 yearling does eating apples at 15 yards.
At last light, I saw the biggest doe I have seen in years come running through. I started to draw and she caught movement. We stared at each other for a couple of minutes at 8 yards. I was losing light, so I picked a spot and drew. The doe turned herself inside out and departed.
No shot, but a fun day and I am seeing deer. Good luck everyone!
Its been kinda slow up here in Miami county. Still some corn up in my area holdin the deer. But the deer activity is picking up. I am starting to see some scrapes and rubs. I have not seen any chasing yet. Good luck guys!
Saw 8 does and fawns and 4 small bucks yesterday. Hard to work much this time of year. After this week I get to take a couple weeks off. Looks like it could be an interesting vacation.
Had a busy day of work, so, no hunting this a.m. Shot with my trad league this evening and took first place (which doesn't happen every week to say the least). Itching to drive a Woodsman through a buck for sure!!!
Saw a lot of scrapes in a woods I worked in today in Morgan county.
I hunt a farm near Hagerstown, seems as if the deer numbers are down the last couple years but saw 14 new scrapes yesterday while scouting some areas I didnt hunt last year......
I said this in another thread too but I will be able to get out more soon as my son will be getting his probationary drivers license and starting his first real job. I have mixed emotions about all this but the increased ability to get to the woods will be a welcome distraction. They grow up too fast.
Took two does last week , one sunday morning wwith my new limbs for my Timberhawk recurve that I got sat afternoon. 11Th doe to come by that morning. More 2 1/2 than usual bucks but no chasing yet in my woods.
With Indiana being so long (North to South), it would be interesting to know where those posting in this thread are hunting (Northern, Central, or Southern Indiana).
East Central. About mid way between Indy and Ft. Wayne. Although I haven't contributed much.
In the middle. About 10 miles West of Indy.
The only time I can get in the woods is on the weekends. The last couple have been pretty slow! I have a few days off work next week, so I'm gonna hit it as hard as I can. I usually hunt Lawrence, Orange county ...so kinda south central!
I am hunting in SE. Saw a little 6 pt. yesterday afternoon running back and forth on a ridge looking for trouble. My son saw two others showing off for each other a couple hills over.
I have seen deer every evening I've gone out. The deer seem to be moving about 30 to 45 minutes before dark. I have not had a shot yet but I'm hopefull I wll soon. I hunt Morgan, Monroe, Brown, and Johnson counties so I guess it would be Central.
They grow up too fast.
X2
saw a nice buck chasing a couple does last saturday...should be good here soon. Reporting from madison indiana
So how many of you fellow Hoosiers think that there is enough deer to justify the increase in bonus permits? Here in Jennings they went from 4 to 8. I drive truck and with that big of increase I should be seeing deer in every field I pass. And I pass a lot. Still lucky to see a cpl here and there.
I live in west central Indiana and as of last weekend, it seems that things are starting to pick up. Found a few scrapes and some rubs. Up until last weekend things were very, very slow. I won't be able to get out until Saturday afternoon as I am in Indy. My wife is running the 5K charity run tomorrow for Diabetes research and supporting her with my presence is the least I can do. Good k=luck to all and I hope to have some hunting stories to share by Sunday evening. Hunt hard, hunt safe!!! Mike
Mike, I'll be in the area next Saturday and will be there for a week. Keep me posted on how you do.
Terry, will do! I will be in TN to see my new grand-daughter over the Veterans Day weekend, but will be back in time to hunt the evening of the 11th. I am working on the south end of Terre Haute, so maybe I can run down to Sullivan after work for a bit one evening. Hunt hard, hunt safe! Mike
Saw two 1 1/2 year old bucks yesterday evening. One eating beech nuts, the other, I rattled in.
This morning I saw nothing despite what seemed like ideal weather.
I am near Spencer. (SW part of the state)
I saw one nice 8 pointer this afternoon about 4:30. He was just cruising slowly through the woods. Way out of range though! Maybe tomorrow. Good luck all!
I had a small 5 point come straight in on me about 10:45 yesterday morning. Nice bodied very young deer. Never gave me a shot opportunity, but was great nonetheless. Good luck and stay safe.
Bounced a yearling doe after dark heading out and saw a nice doe about 8:30 this morning, no shot on her though. Still hasn't ramped up here yet.
Kind of a slow weekend. I did see a pretty nice buck chasing a doe this evening though. Also saw a couple other does and 2 other bucks.
Don't know if it is the corn not being picked yet or what, but I am not seeing near the amount of deer...bucks or does....that I am used to seeing. Jumped one doe this afternoon on the way in and saw one smallish buck at about 50 yards, but that was it for this afternoon's hunt. I did find some more scrapes opened up. Won't be able to get out again until the evening of Veteran's Day. Good luck to all, hunt hard, hunt safe! Mike
I hunted the last two mornings and didn't see a thing. I did see some fresh rubs and scrapes but I think I might go back to hunting in the evenings I seem to see more deer. Good luck all.
Still no luck here yet! I have several days off next week, so I hope to get plenty of woods time then. I'll report back...hopefully with hero pics!
Good luck fellow Hoosiers!
I decided to hunt from the ground this morning for the first time today. Found a poplar with a big tangle of grapevine in front of it and sat with my back to it. It was on the edge of a bluff of sorts.
I settled in and a couple grey squirrels cut loose at something to my left, but, settled quickly. They were barking at a six point buck heading in our direction. He walked a trail in front of me and I bleated at him 8 yards out and broadside. He stopped late behind a green briar and I held at full draw.
He looked right through me then began walking again. The next "lane" I had was 22 yards out and he stopped at my bleat, quartered away.
I let the string loose staring at his last rib. The Woodsman strayed a hair left (behind) the ribcage. I watched him run through the woods with my yellow fletching almost buried. He went 70 yards and laid down. I silently watched for the next hour then snuck out to give him time. I didn't like the shot.
4 hours later, with a small army of hunting buddies (6 to be exact), the trail proved to be tremendous. Nothing like I expected! I had to hit a major artery somewhere. It led to my first antlered traditional kill!
There is just something about it, Isn't there? Hard to describe. I've taken a lot of deer with wheels and muzzleloaders, including mid 160's bucks.
Still, my heart pounds harder with a forty year old recurve on my lap when I hear the leaves crunching louder and louder!
I hope to get a thread and a picture or two up soon.
Good luck all and be safe!
That's fantastic Matt! Can't wait to see the pics! :thumbsup:
Ok Matt, what happened to ya?
Any updates?
I was out on Monday from about 10 am til what I thought was 2:30 but turned out to be 1:30. Danged day light savings. My phone said one time with the cover open and another time with the cover shut. No deer were seen.
I have been seeing deer regularly over the last couple days. Had this guy give a nice close shot yesterday morning.
(http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp343/nyazel/IMG_0296_zpsd1af81a6.jpg) (http://s426.photobucket.com/user/nyazel/media/IMG_0296_zpsd1af81a6.jpg.html)
That's the first deer with my new Robertson. I think I kind of like it.
Now THAT'S what I'm talkin about! Nice!
Where you on the ground or in a tree?
I've always had a hanker'n for a Roberstson Stykbow.
Hey Bona
I was in a treestand on the edge between an open hardwood and a 6 or 7 acre thicket. There are two drainages that begin along the same edge. Usually several scrapes and rubs along the edge. The other 3 sides of the thicket have about 20 acres of native grass planted around it. The deer came up through the open hardwood worked a scrape then walked by me and gave a 13-14 yard quartering away walking shot. It was a fine morning.
Nate
Congrats Nate! Thats a fine buck.
Nobody has any updates? Somebody has got to be in some deer somewhere. I am still seeing quite a few up and running. Made some more meat on Thursday evening.
(http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp343/nyazel/IMG_0303_zps1adbdfb9.jpg) (http://s426.photobucket.com/user/nyazel/media/IMG_0303_zps1adbdfb9.jpg.html)
Nate, I hate to sound like two women at a beauty shop but I love that shirt. :D
Woolrich?
I am seeing deer, but I have not been able to be in the right spot! Mainly seeing does and small bucks. Still not seeing any serious chasing. I did see a small 4 point about 20 minutes behind a couple of does this morning. Putting in a lot of hours, but no meat yet. Good luck every one!
I saw two 4 pointers this evening. I had a ten yard broadside shot at one but as I lifted my bow another hunter walking up the trail about 100 yards away spooked it and it ran. I thought I had some meat for the freezer. Oh well I'll be out tomorrow morning.
Yea Rob that's a Woolrich shirt. I have a couple of them. I wear them alot this time of year. Should be a good week coming up. I am on vacation this week too. Hope everyone shoots straight.
Shot a nice doe last Sunday. Watched her go 40 yards and then down. Helped my buddy with a deer he had shot earlier...Came back for mine and found four wheeler tracks and no doe! I was less than amused. It would've been my first deer with a wood arrow....
I've got all this coming week off headed into the Indiana firearms season, so we'll see what happens. Nice deer being killed in Indiana so far, congrats to those of you who have been successful thus far, and good luck to all who haven't yet.
Been seeing several deer, a few nice bucks. I think the rut is finally starting to heat up I my area. I haven't been the right place at the right time yet, but I hope to get it done before the guns start blazing.
Looks like it the are finally starting to move.
Saw a beautiful 10 pointer this morning around 8:00 or 8:30 am, nice thick white rack. But it smelled me right away. No more chili during deer season. :)
LOL! Too funny Bill!
This morning was quiet until about 11am. I saw 7 does and 5 bucks before 2pm. Small buck pushing and grunting at a very small doe. Ir was a nice morning to hunt.
Had two bucks fighting down the hill below me at first light this morning. They finally made their way by me about 10 minutes later. They weren't the big guys but they did not like each other. Thought it might be an interesting day the way it started but that was as exciting as it got.
Slept in this morning but made it out this afternoon. Saw 10 does. Made a 20 yard quartering away shot on this doe from the ground. She made it about 80 yards.
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Beautiful doe! I didn't see a single deer in the woods yesterday. Will try it again today. Good luck all!
Small 4 pt at 9:15 then at 10:15 small doe followed a few minutes later by 5 pointer. All within 12 yards while passing. I am lookong for big doe or buck
My nephew works for the highway dept. and he told me he helped pick up a doe and a nice buck on the side of the highway across from the property I hunt. The buck had his antlers cut off already. He saw deer in the field too.
So I went out Monday with high hopes. I sat from 2 til dark and saw nothing.
On my way home just now. 9+ miles, 4 in the country. Buck tending doe in middle of the road, two does crossing at 30 feet and one buck about 5 feet off my front bumper. They're moving.
I've seen more bucks last night and this morning than I've seen all season so far. The little buck this morning looked like it was "playing" with a cat at the side of the road.
I'm going to try and get out this evening and I'm not sitting in that treestand!
Wife barely missed creaming 3 does coming home from work last evening. They seem to be moving now; sure took a while for that to happen.
I drove US-31 up to South Bend Tuesday and then up through central MI and then back down I-69 to Indy yesterday. Lots of large headless bodies on the roads.
Early morning today, I saw one big bodied 5 point buck at 50 yards and then had 2 small does bed down 25 yards from me. They stayed bedded there for over 4 hours before they got up and strolled away. Never had a decent shot and they were very small. They were fun to watch though!
Sounds kinda like my morning. 8 pointer came by right at daylight. Then had a doe fawn come and bed down 75 yards away from me. Put all together with the beautiful sunrise this morning and I am calling it a very good day.
I went out last night and stayed on the ground. About 40 yds west of my treestand on the opposite side of the creek. I had three does run past at 5:24. No shots as they ran past my shooting windows. They stopped out of range and were checking their back trail so I was hoping to see a buck come through but no.
Still all in all the best hunt I've had so far this year. The does were a large, small and medium that past by at under 10 yds.
They surprised me because of the highway noise.
You boys be extra careful tomorrow....it is the invasion of the pumpkin army
I went out this evening for three or fours hours. I didn't see a thing. I wanted to hunt my spot one more time before the pumpkin heads overrun everything. It's time to head for the deep woods.
Rut activity has really picked up around here. Had some bad luck yesterday morning. Had a buck come in dogging three does. His head and shoulder went behind a small tree leaving his last three ribs exposed for a shot. For some reason....does moving around, two more does coming up another trail, bow noise....not sure, he dropped when I released. The arrow hit him in the shoulder blade and deflected due to the quartering angle I guess. Found about two tablespoons of blood total. He ran off about 50 yards and checked a scrape which is the only place I found blood bigger than a pin head sized drop. He then turned and trotted down a hill and jumped the creek. I followed his tracks in the creek bottom and found no more blood. Called a friend and we did a grid search with negative results. I was positive from the hit and watching him through the binos work a scrape that the hit was superficial, but I still made the effort.
It was late when I finished my search so I called it a day rather hunt the afternoon. Hit the woods this a.m. and rattled in two small bucks right after sunrise. Around 10:00 I had a very nice buck push two does past me, but no shot was available. 20 minutes later a lone doe came through and followed the same path as the others. A very good morning!
Went back out this afternoon and hunted from the ground in a creek bottom. Thought there might be more activity in the bottom out of the wind. Saw one small buck in the bottom at sunset. I pulled out and still hunted my way out of the woods for the last 30 minutes of shooting light. Got out to the field where I turn to go to the truck and there were 3 bucks feeding. Two of them were pretty small....I had to use the binos to see their antlers! The third buck was pretty decent so I stayed put with about 7 minutes of shooting light left. No shot developed but I got a heck of a show! As they fed they moved closer together. One of the small bucks went after the other one as the bigger buck stood and watched. They apparently got too close to his "space" and he took off after them. It finally got too dark to see them, but I could hear them chasing each other around as I walked down to the truck!!
A great day overall! Tomorrow is supposed to be even windier with rain forecast for all day so I am sleeping in and heading to church. Good luck to all....hunt hard, hunt safe! Mike
I talked on the phone with a fellow Indiana Tradganger while we looked at a satellite photo of the farm I've been hunting.
I can't wait to get out there again. Would have gone tonight but work called me in early.
I'm hoping for Friday morning or evening.
I have only been out three time since the gun season started. Saw does every time out though. I should be able to spend some time afield this long weekend.
Just came in from the woods. Saw two does right at first light and three more at around 9:40. Set up a doe decoy this morning and had a young buck take notice, but he actually backed away from it and stood looking her over for about 15-20 minutes. No shots but a great morning in the woods! Mike
Shot #39 this Thanksgiving morning , that is the 39th buck under twenty yds. More bucks than does last couple weeks and finally took a heavy 9pt with my new Timberhawk limbs that scott did a wonderfull job on. Three big does fell to that combo earlier this month with all taken with two blade zwicky deltas and 340fmj easton arrows. Hope all of you had a good of a thanksgiving as I had ! John Benetti
I got out Sat. morning but later than I wanted or I probably would have had 4 does within my range. The long weekend didn't go as I wanted but the season isn't over yet!
I wounded a beautiful sapling that was standing between me and a nice doe over the weekend in the HNF!
I hope to get back out there post gun season and try again.
Brother took a 4 1/2 yr old 148" buck day after Thanksgiving in Vigo county. .45 Long Colt at 40 yards.