[brokenblade]

This is my second archery season and right now i have quite a few bucks pinned down entering at the far end of a 4 acre food plot about 2 hours before dark. Problem is, i have heard way too many stories of bucks being precisely patterned and then vanishing just as the season started. The PA season starts Sept. 30 and i'm wondering if i shouldn't get my hopes up that they will still be coming during daylight, if at all. When have you noticed deer getting off normal patterns and loosing touch with them for awhile, maybe forever.

 

[Viper69]

I have seen this alot here in Pa. Last year I watched a large 9 point and an even larger 10 point coming out into the same field each night including the entire week before the Pa opener. Then like magic they did not come out the first night in the same spot and I had the wind right. Then Like magic they were not seen during daylight again throughout october. Now keep in mind in my area there is heavy hunting pressure so the big ones learn quickly when the jig is up. I got luckly and got the big 10 point on Nov 8th at 0845. This was the first time I saw him during shooting hours after the start of the season. I hope the deer your watching stay in there pattern for you but dont give up if they dont. Hunting during the rut is much more enjoyable in my opinion anyway. Theres nothing like a cold crisp November morning in the Pa woods!!!!!!

 

[Deadeye33]

Some questions and a suggestion

Since it is well before the season, I would find out what they are eating. Will it still be there in late September? Then I would backtrack on the trails that the bucks are entering the field and look for a staging area in some thick cover. Don't disturb the deer in their beds while doing this. Set up at least 50-100 yards into the woods the deer travel through before getting to the field. Usually when the pressure is on, deer will keep their patterns but just alter them so they enter the field after dark. If you set up 100 yards back into the woods the older/wiser deer will hang back there waiting for dark. Use your bow to bring the dark to them!:wink:

 

[brokenblade]

thanks for the tips you two. i just found out that it's a soybean field(wasn't sure before). do beans go bad after the first frost or will they be a good food source all season.

 

[Deadeye33]

soy beans

I think the soy beans will be fine for the first part of the season anyway. While you are looking on the trails that the deer are coming in on look for a mature white or red oak tree. The acorns will be falling and if you can find a nice oak in heavy cover near the trail that the deer are using you should be golden! Do what you can to set things up today! Deer notice a lot of human activity towards the beginning of the season and get spooky quickly. Act like you are the farmer while scouting, make noise, sing, smoke a cigar, the deer will know you're coming and move off for a while and return shortly. If you sneak around and spook them from a short distance they will recognize you as a predator. If you see a deer or jump one, only give it a quick glance. Don't duck and hide...remember the deer should think that you are just a farmer there to get some work done.

The sooner you do this the better. Find your tree, clear shooting lanes, and get out! If you go back on the first day and find things have changed then you can adjust as the season goes on.

When I was a kid I was so into seeing deer that I would set up stands in August and September and sit in them to see if deer were coming through. That is just plain dumb. Get in, get out, and go back when you can shoot them.

 

[Bees]

This is my second archery season and right now i have quite a few bucks pinned down entering at the far end of a 4 acre food plot about 2 hours before dark. Problem is, i have heard way too many stories of bucks being precisely patterned and then vanishing just as the season started. The PA season starts Sept. 30 and i'm wondering if i shouldn't get my hopes up that they will still be coming during daylight, if at all. When have you noticed deer getting off normal patterns and loosing touch with them for awhile, maybe forever.

Right now you know where they are, come september 30 they probabaly will be at a different food source, where ever that might be.

 

[tpoof]

Its seems in my neck of the woods that the bucks seem to dissapear once they lose the velvet,,,can't count how many times I've patterned bucks just to find that the pattern has changed almost overnight!

Here in Saskatchewan our season opens on Sept 1
sometimes soft rattling will call them out as they like to see who's in the neighbourhood,,they also seem to be more nocturnal after velvet drop.

Still I hunt food sources and water holes and put in my time(every time you go out your that much closer to seeing what your after
Good Luck this season to all!!!:wink:

 

[whtlfanatic]

The bucks are currently in a summer feeding pattern. When their antlers harden and bachelor groups break up (typically in mid - late Sept) they will not be following the same routine as they were in early September.

Many-a-hunter has spent precious time hunting for bucks based on their summer habits only to end the season frustrated.

Forget about what they were doing in July, August and early Sept and figure out what they will be doing in late Sept and Oct.