Early season

[Greybeard]

I'm in the woods all the time, all year, not just during the season,  Only thing I hate about early season is EAB.  No reason for it with the numbers so low on public.  Enough brown and down guys out there.  Had to pass on some really nice bucks and eat tags because of it.

[Lunatic]

24 minutes ago, Greybeard said:

I'm in the woods all the time, all year, not just during the season,  Only thing I hate about early season is EAB.  No reason for it with the numbers so low on public.  Enough brown and down guys out there.  Had to pass on some really nice bucks and eat tags because of it.

Just remember if you eliminate EAB the season will start in October. 
taking a doe in September is no issue for me. I take 4 deer for my own consumption anyway and by September my freezer is empty 

Edited September 24, 2023 by Lunatic

[Greybeard]

1 minute ago, Lunatic said:

Just remember if you eliminate EAB the season will start in October. 

Why does that have to be?  Why does it matter if a doe is shot before a buck in Sept but not in Oct?  Too few does on public land to keep the buck numbers up as it is.  Without doe there will be no bucks either.  The whole system needs to be restructured to bring back deer on public lands.  The undergrowth has grown up so much I can't get through into places I used to hunt.  1 doe with bow and 1 doe gun with the license, then a special permit to take 5 more does on private land.  2 weeks into the season and I've seen 1 doe hunting nearly every day on public.

[Rusty]

10 hours ago, smittty said:

How many guys on here skip it and wait for October 

I don't start getting the itch until the last week of October.  

[Lunatic]

20 minutes ago, Greybeard said:

Why does that have to be?  Why does it matter if a doe is shot before a buck in Sept but not in Oct?  Too few does on public land to keep the buck numbers up as it is.  Without doe there will be no bucks either.  The whole system needs to be restructured to bring back deer on public lands.  The undergrowth has grown up so much I can't get through into places I used to hunt.  1 doe with bow and 1 doe gun with the license, then a special permit to take 5 more does on private land.  2 weeks into the season and I've seen 1 doe hunting nearly every day on public.

They created September hunt for this reason. Take away EAB and you take away September. I’m not telling you it’s right or wrong only that this is the way it is 

[KBfishing]

40 minutes ago, Rusty said:

I don't start getting the itch until the last week of October.  

They make cream for that

[Cousin Brown]

Never, I love the heat.

[Zone50BugNerd]

Started skipping the early season several years ago and do not regret it at all.  My hunting season has been whittled down to about 6 weeks now; usually from the 3rd weekend in October, and then I hang it up by the last weekend in November.  I hate the heat, but I hate cold toes even more.  These days I couldn't care less if I shoot anything; these 6 weeks sitting in the blind or tree are about peace and quiet for me now.  I let deer pass almost every sit too.  The older I get, the more appreciative I have become just to be able to get out, and less concerned with the kill.  

[Mixbaghunter]

I like to start in September so I can have October to run dog my tru love getting harder to shoot doe on state land and not seeing as many been out afew times . May give up the early season soon and the more guys that do the state will have to do something about it if they want more does killed. 

[Buckeyes11]

Never during EAB.  Usually wait til the second  week in October 

[Ron]

Me. 
 

But that is only because my work schedule this year is crazy. Normally I like putting a couple in the freezer in September if we have cool nights. 

[SPEARFISH]

I always hunt the early season.  I’d rather we didn’t have the earn a buck but if they didn’t a lot less does would be shot.  I hate when a good buck gets boogered off the property from doe hunting.  

[JFC1]

I love the early season. Woods are beautiful and it's cool to watch as deer patterns change. There aren't many ticks in my area this year

[gregtpal]

If i dont need meat, one big reason i wait for the regular bow season opener is not pressuring or alerting bucks I cant shoot to my presence.  

[Greybeard]

3 hours ago, Lunatic said:

They created September hunt for this reason. Take away EAB and you take away September. I’m not telling you it’s right or wrong only that this is the way it is 

They can stop eab without cutting the season.  They did away with eab in zones during fall bow because it was wiping out the herd, they can do it here.