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Anyone else not like early season?

I like it: dial in set up. Bag a doe (check this year) and get a feel for a few spots, sort of actively scout along the way as rut unfolds. It’s no pressure time and a good excuse to just be in the woods.
 
Bwhana said:
I developed my own rule years ago based on observed activity and harvest success. The Rule of 60 states that I only hunt if the max temperature during the day is less than 60. My success is far better, I'm more comfortable from temperature and less mosquitoes, and waste less time watching trees.

In NC, I would love to see our season shortened to begin on Oct 1st for bow opener.
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I've noticed the same exact thing over the years. Anything above 60 it's dead out. And what's interesting is last year was the first year I started using cell cams, and not 1 but all go dead above 60 every single time.
 
I'm a fan of the early season only for the fact that I can get out and start spending more time in nature. It's been a cool start here in VT but not great. I might lay off for a couple weeks until the leaves are gone.
 
bigmike23 said:
I've noticed the same exact thing over the years. Anything above 60 it's dead out. And what's interesting is last year was the first year I started using cell cams, and not 1 but all go dead above 60 every single time.
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Haha. I’m bookmarking this for next year, it’s about 60 consistently now .
 
TreeCreep said:
I’m getting to this realization since moving to a much lower density state ( NH ) . 70 or above my sightings are extremely lacking. NJ and PA comparatively the deer followed more patterns.

Aside from getting into saddle shape, “observation” and slowing down I’m starting to question my return on time.
Fortunately I’m connected with a few members on here to trade info and keep each other motivated.
I’d be best served by taking off more time to hunt on weekdays in areas where there is a deer/ good deer sign.
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@TreeCreep
I like how you're keeping track of what works for you and what doesn't work. More hunters need to take notes or at least keep in mind what their past successes have proven. :)
I know what you're saying about the warmer temps and the deer not moving. They're fat and sassy, this time of the year. Food and bedding is close and plentiful. There's always more movement when the rut kicks in to full gear. :cool: ...or when the crops start coming off.

Having said that.... This year has proven me wrong on every aspect that I just mentioned. :rolleyes: Shot a nice doe on Monday and a decent buck on Thursday of this week. The rut won't even kick in until the first or second week of November.
 
It feels more like hunting to me when there's snow on the ground and a stiff wind.

But I see probably more deer in the early part of the season and I especially like that time of year for poking around big woods, so long as the bugs aren't bad. It's a good time for discovery and getting a sense of a property.
 
In VT early season is my favorite. Deer sightings are highest and predictable. I don't need to pack or wear a million layers. Hunting pressure is as low as it gets. I'm not freezing, either in the tree or on the walk in/out in the dark. Sits are more justifiably limited to 3-5 hours, so I'm not staring at trees and squirrels quite so much.

Mid season = orange army everywhere. Deer vanishing. Cold all day sits staring at trees and humping in extra layers.

Late session = freeze my a** off or hump in a wardrobe of clothes. Still too many competitors bumbling up the woods. More deer sightings than mid but not by much.

No contest for me.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
 
I love the early and late season. I'm not so much on the rut, even though I go. The public land during the rut in SW Va. is packed with orange. Also the game laws don't allow does to be taken until the very last day, which means horn hunting, which is not for me.
 
For me deer hunting is for the experience. Not necessarily to kill a deer. But of course that’s what I’m trying to do obviously. But yeah early season doesn’t have the deer hunting feel for me either most of the time. So I don’t focus on getting out as much as possible, but more like just dipping my feet in for when the season starts to heat up later on.
 
bigmike23 said:
I've noticed the same exact thing over the years. Anything above 60 it's dead out. And what's interesting is last year was the first year I started using cell cams, and not 1 but all go dead above 60 every single time.
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LMAO. Just sounds like a bunch of excuses in this thread of people trying to convince themselves it's not worth the sweat and bugs. No easier time to get on a buck if you have the time to scout in the summer. I usually don't have that time but there's 0 chance you'll see me sitting out the early season when there's barely anyone in the woods and tons of crops to influence travel. This guy didn't seem to care about moving around mid day with highs in the 90s. If you don't like to hunt early, that's fine, but lets not act like deer just suddenly don't exist.

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I'm not a big fan of the heat, bugs, and snakes of the early season. Even when I still lived in Michigan and our season kicked off October 1st, I didn't care for hunting the first couple of weeks because of the weather and mosquitoes, let alone here in Kentucky where it kicks off in early September!

I'm planning on going out for my first hunt this weekend, and my time will steadily increase as we're entering my favorite time of the year.
 
Congratulations!
Yes, seasons can change in two hunts or two minutes.
I have early season the least dialed in but I’ve stopped relying on cameras in season (on public) and have a few spots pinned down for a month from now.
I am trying to get more efficient at the time in woods ( not to mention gear budget) = more deer sightings
Scouting is enjoyable on its own but if I were to take a vacation day to hunt its not going to be in September, outside of opening day.
Honestly not prioritizing enough vacation days is my own hang up.

BowhunterXC said:
@TreeCreep
I like how you're keeping track of what works for you and what doesn't work. More hunters need to take notes or at least keep in mind what their past successes have proven. :)
I know what you're saying about the warmer temps and the deer not moving. They're fat and sassy, this time of the year. Food and bedding is close and plentiful. There's always more movement when the rut kicks in to full gear. :cool: ...or when the crops start coming off.

Having said that.... This year has proven me wrong on every aspect that I just mentioned. :rolleyes: Shot a nice doe on Monday and a decent buck on Thursday of this week. The rut won't even kick in until the first or second week of November.
Click to expand...
 
If I could only hunt 2 weeks of the season it would be the first week and the last week. Give me drought conditions and 90 degrees the first week of September, or 20 degrees and sunny right after a blizzard in late January. No better time to kill a big one on purpose than when his antlers are still fuzzy, or getting ready to fall off.
 
I guess it’s probably being new to bow and saddle hunting but I have just been excited to get to be out and know I need the practice. Hopefully I can get so good I’ll get jaded and picky later on. Lol! (Kidding, I know everyone has their own good times to hunt)
 
Early season here is absolutely miserable The heat and humidity is terrible I still go a good bit but mostly in the mornings so that i can be fairly comfortable
 
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