10/25 Check In

[Tarhunt]

I'm out in Zone 8. I jumped a big doe that was bedded 4 feet from my ground blind. Since, then, nothing but on and off rain. 

[nb6624]

In z5. Feels right..🤞

[JHbowhunter]

I been out since 3.  Only thing moving so far are turkeys. 

[Tarhunt]

Just had a doe lay down within a few feet of my ground blind. I can hear her breathing. 

[_X7]

Rain and an east wind is keeping me in. So much for today and probably tomorrow by the looks of the forecast. 10 years ago I'd have no problem with it. Good luck to all who are out.

[bucky]

They are getting fired up, my buddy killed a big 9 pointer today and I grunted in a nice 16" six pointer that looked bigger at 300 yards, he came in like a puppy on a leash but he got the pass

[Monster Marine]

Well this was my 2nd all day sit the last was opening day .....

seems like all the squirrels are fat this year actually breaking twigs lol walking out in the rain sucks

[JHbowhunter]

had a great afternoon hunt but first 2.5 hours were dead.   Got to watch a very mature buck work 2 mature does and am kicking myself for not taking two different 32 yard broadside shots -  only because with each doe, they were aiming my way, walking my way... Both times, the doe broke off and ran opposite direction when he took a violent lunge. This after watching him stand motionless for 5-10 minutes at a time, before moving again - as only a very old buck will do. 

 At age 56, having  taken and observed enough  mature bucks during the rut, I was still on adrenaline overload and when he finally ran off with the last doe, I started shaking uncontrollably.   I usually only get that AFTER the shot, and 2-3 times i nearly drew, so it was as if I did. 

 

A very mature buck, was very much rutting, and targeting two very mature does.      I suspect that buck already got laid this week, these were not his first of the 2020 fall season.    

As much as it seems like a "lull" this time of year - it is a lull, but only until you are in the right place, at the right time.   I think up here in NW Jersey tomorrow or the day after it will really break loose and be crazy - but keep in mind, the truly mature bucks are ALREADY on the right does.  The "crazy" we see during the chasing phase are more of the bucks 1.5 to 3.5 years old.      But still history shows it's now the best time to be in the woods, for the next 3 weeks without question

Edited October 26, 2020 by JHbowhunter

[Gunsmoke]

They were on the move this afternoon.