Why don’t you sit opening day?View attachment 72087
Got this guy on camera in day light multiple times. Think I might break my rule and sit opening day.
I’ve shot my biggest archery bucks on October the 1st…there’s several reasons why it’s a true benefit to hunt the first three days of opener…first of all the moon phase or red moon usually runs from late September into the first couple of days of October…second if you aggressive on those first couple of days and hunt him where he’s never been hunted before it becomes a surprise tactic he doesn’t expect…and lastly he’s still in a late summer early fall mindset (a period in time bucks make a mistake). After October 15th the hunting pressure combined with the pre/rut changes will decrease your opportunities for sure…ya you will see the chasing phase during lat October early November but keep in mind those older bucks lock down to an area I call the historical breeding area that supports older matriarch does and the bucks that recognize that area in the same way..so get out there and learn where those areas are in the hunting spot…you’ll be surprised at how interior scrapes set up the hunting season.I usually wait till Halloween. Let the weather get cold and the bucks start chasing. But I guess I’m not this year.
I don’t have nearly the experience as you but I agree! We open in KY in September and my two biggest bucks were taken the first week of season. So much easier to patternI’ve shot my biggest archery bucks on October the 1st…there’s several reasons why it’s a true benefit to hunt the first three days of opener…first of all the moon phase or red moon usually runs from late September into the first couple of days of October…second if you aggressive on those first couple of days and hunt him where he’s never been hunted before it becomes a surprise tactic he doesn’t expect…and lastly he’s still in a late summer early fall mindset (a period in time bucks make a mistake). After October 15th the hunting pressure combined with the pre/rut changes will decrease your opportunities for sure…ya you will see the chasing phase during lat October early November but keep in mind those older bucks lock down to an area I call the historical breeding area that supports older matriarch does and the bucks that recognize that area in the same way..so get out there and learn where those areas are in the hunting spot…you’ll be surprised at how interior scrapes set up the hunting season.
The buck on the top left was shot on Oct 3rd, the center buck was shot Oct 1st, the upper right buck was shot on Oct 1st… I have other harvested bucks on Oct but these guys are 160+View attachment 72167
I’ve always referred Sept as the easiest time to hunt mature Whitetails…but as soon as October 1st rolls around the beans are no longer a draw, the acorns are falling, and bachelor groups begin to disperse…first time in to a well chosen set up always has a higher degree for success…hunt off of the food sources and try to capture movement to and from feeding areas…good luck keep it fun and Always shareI don’t have nearly the experience as you but I agree! We open in KY in September and my two biggest bucks were taken the first week of season. So much easier to pattern
That's a cool looking buck!Meet “Issachar”… the buck I jumped the first day scouting this newly acquired property last weekView attachment 72270View attachment 72271
I believe Issachar is a 3yr old…possible 4yr old…his front shoulder looks a little small which makes me believe he’s a younger buck…I’m going to pass him more then likely…but suspect he’s a good up-and-commer next yr…I’ll miss opening day for I’ll be attending my aunts funeral on Saturday back home in Michigan. Leaving early Sunday morning to make the drive to Iowa…That's a cool looking buck!
Thanks and good luck!Tonites my first sit…sitting over a waterhole which will serve as a observation sit for the most part..keep youall posted
So you wanted to...?Had a little forky come to the pond @ 6:30…then @ 7:15 I had two bucks come in. But it was just to dark to take a shot…View attachment 72914View attachment 72919
shooters?Had a little forky come to the pond @ 6:30…then @ 7:15 I had two bucks come in. But it was just to dark to take a shot…View attachment 72914View attachment 72919
The two other bucks were feeding down towards the pond but by the time they made it to shooting distance it was to dark…past 7:30 - the forky is off limits for me personally…remember Iowa is a special placeSo you wanted to...?
First buck was a 18” spread couldn’t counts pts since they were feeding mostly. The larger buck of the two layer down 10yrds from the pond so I wasn’t able to come out until 8 last niteshooters?
Forky's aren't for me unless I'm with my kids. You said two bucks came in but it was too dark for a shot, which, to me, implied you wanted to take a shot. That's where my question came from.The two other bucks were feeding down towards the pond but by the time they made it to shooting distance it was to dark…past 7:30 - the forky is off limits for me personally…remember Iowa is a special place