Well the traditional hunt continues. Got warm today so I took the morning off for some practice. Plus I don't hunt the same spot two days in a row.
Going to give it another try tomorrow. Moving the stand yet again in hopes of finding the right trail.
Yesterday was good. Two does that were too far away, a spike buck that walked 6 yards from my stand tree, a red fox that I called in to the same spot, and numerous squirrels.
Unfortunately here in PA the spike is protected due to antler point restrictions.
I keep seeing deer every time I hunt this spot, but really regretting the earlier hesitation on the doe. I keep hoping that Karma will reward me...
To all my fellow PA guys, keep at it, the rut will soon kick in.
I seen a buck harassing a doe Saturday. Her tail was at half mast. Chasing her in and out of a clear cut. I grunted At him. Ignored me. Grunted again. Stopped dead.... Grunt snort wheezed at me. Tough guy... Heavy horned spike.
I have seen very few runs and scrapes so far. And I consider this week to be the melting pot. There should be an explosion of activity this week n I have days to take off next two weeks
Today stinks with this warm front. But cold temps and snow flurries for us this weekend should cause an explosion of activity. Spend as much time in the woods say if you can.
I hunt near scrapes right now and will start calling Saturday. Rattling for first time in years. But only in the mornings. I will grunt in the evenings but not rattle. Never had a deer come in to rattling in the evening.
Also I seen that buck chasing at 10:30. It's time to put long hours in for this guy. Starting Saturday!
So far all my calls have been ignored. I did take a decoy along yesterday. The spike finally spotted it and walked to within 15 feet of it. He would put his ears back then, up, then down again. He was confused when he got to the side of her and she seemed to disappear. It is a CommanDoe so it is only about two inches thick.
It is a pain to carry one more thing into the woods, so I don't know how often I will use it.
That would be a pain. I get tired of lugging my climber on state land. But my opportunities go through the roof.
We are not lowed to use urine based scents where I hunt. I found 2 new scrapes yesterday and my buddies going to bring in some smokeys pre orbital for me to put on the licking branch. I'm curious to see what happens. No came out. But will hunt near it. As they are on the edge of hemlocks.