I'm curious to hear how your season has been going with the unseasonably warm weather we've been having?
I'm hunting public land "big woods" acorns are everywhere. It's like walking on a gravel road. I've seen very few deer so far, mostly moving in late evening. I'm seeing some new rubs and scraps but most movement is nocturnal.
It's been extremely slow up here so far. I've been out a few times and have yet to see a deer. Areas that have been good the past couple of years have no deer using them. At least around here there are almost no acorns at all where as last year they were everywhere.
Hopefully some colder weather show up soon and gets things going.
The first few days of season were a little slow - not much movement in the area I was in. Haven't been back out since opening weekend, but plan on being in a tree on Saturday with the cooldown.
I have seen deer each of the 4 times I've been out.First and last light. I was at half draw on a 4pt last week but he turned at a bad angle and meander off. Hunting my own 30acres.
Sweated through Oct. 1-4 in the Manistee National Forest. Hunting partner and I saw only 1 small doe between us in 5 hunts each. The deer were moving after dark to avoid the heat. Saw a few rubs and 2 small scrapes. Mosquitoes weren't too bad, but more plentiful than deer. Didn't see many archers in the areas we hunt, but did stop and talk with 2 different camps of small game hunters. Lots of squirrels this fall.
Not heading back Up North to hunt deer until around Oct. 22. Gonna fill my Fall Turkey Tag by then, I hope. The Great Northern Fireball is sending 'em down range in good order recently so I'm as confident as I am optimistic. Good Luck Y'all!
I'll be heading for Shrew Haven soon. A week with my Shrew Haven buddy's. Looking forward to it.
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Haven't been out yet, between an elk hunt last month, and a wood cutting weekend last weekend I haven't had time, been checking cameras, and activity has been slow. Went up to my hunting property today and did a walk around, and double checked some stands that I hadn't checked yet, found a few scrapes opened up and a few small rubs, apparently my cameras aren't in the right spots!!! :biglaugh: Ron, safe travels when you head north to your camp, I will be looking forward to stories and pictures, I always enjoy them when you share!!!! I need to get back up there and hunt the "BIG" woods!!!
Jason
Best wishes for a safe and successful year to the Shrew Haven gang. Enjoy every moment Ron!!! Looking forward with much anticipation to the 2021 photos and tales...
Deer really got active the last couple of days. saw lots of bucks moving and does out eating this one came to 15 yards last night
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:clapper:
Friday Oct. 15th, saw a buck at 7:45am but couldn't put 3 point on one side so I let it walk. I didn't hunt Saturday.
Sunday morning I saw seven Doe, there were no shots I was comfortable with. Sunday evening was beautiful out, the wind was just right and no deer! I'm taking a 4 day weekend starting Friday.
Dad and I got to hunt together over the weekend. 40# bear 59. Broke her femur on exit so it was an easy drag.
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Way to get her done fellows.
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Yooper-traveler,
Very nice doe :thumbsup:
What broadhead were you using and arrow weight?
Bob
Bob those Easton legacy carbons. No clue on the weight. it's a Magnus stinger (killer bee). No damage either so it's ready for duty.
Bob about 377 grains. So 9.3 GPI or so.
Congrats Men! Keep at it! Sounds (and looks) like my next trip North this week Friday is right on time. Love hearing the cooler weather has the deer moving during daylight hours. Anyone seeing any 'seeking' or 'trailing' behavior yet?
It's been real slow here in Mecosta county. No acorns here, the gypsy moths stripped all the oaks. I've seen a few does, and one spike horn since October 1.
Too warm yet and since I hunt behind the house I have time yet.
I have hunted the last 3 evenings and have not seen any deer. It's been bright as hell out while driving home. Is the moon phase and the warm temps are keeping the deer movement down?
We're supposed to get some rain showers over the next few days with lower temps. Does weather trump moon phases when it comes to deer movement? Just one of the thoughts I have sitting to the stand for hours.
Hey Bob. I'm not much of a Moon Phase follower as it relates to the rut. Deer tend to move less during daylight during the Full Moon as they are up feeding and active throughout the 'bright' evenings. I believe the rut occurs basically the same time each year, but 'rut intensity' is affected by the temperature. We need a cold snap to get things rocking in the forest. I'm headed up Friday, after the rain and because the low temperatures are dropping from 53 to 39 degrees and the wind is changing to NW. Hoping to see Manistee National Forest bucks seeking and possibly even some chasing the ladies. Keep at it Brother ... good days are ahead!
Dennis,
Yeah, I'm not much into the moon phase stuff either.
I'm a, if it's legal shooting hours I'm a huntin' kind of guy.
Good luck in the M.N.F.
I spent the last 3 days in the forest . . . unfortunately the deer spent this same time elsewhere. Talked with several hunters in the evenings at the local watering holes and everyone was drowning their sorrows, not celebrating. Saw no evidence of bucks out seeking. Gotta happen SOON - I hope!
Any update reports from other Michigan Men? Hope Shrew Haven has some UP success stories to share soon. Feel like I'm going through withdrawal - not that I know what that feels like. :saywhat:
My buddy up at Shrewhaven said there were 50 deer and 1,000 geese out in a newly planted large rye field close to camp the other night when he got of of his stand not far from there. Of course this rye field was private property but only about a half mile from one of his stands. So this movement was late afternoon early evening a few nights ago
Put over 7-miles on the boots last week on public ground South of Grand Rapids. Found 20+ scrapes, hung some cameras and stands and seeing many bucks so far. Sad to say that I have not yet been out, but for sure this weekend. I would guess that the next couple weeks will be prime!
Seeing bucks moving in the early morning. Scouted a goose field and there were 4 really nice ones together at swamp edge. Still haven't got out but cameras show mostly night time visits. I did just see a spike behind my house in my yard trying to rub on a willow sapling. Kind of funny little guy..
Up North for the next several days as the weather, temperature and hopefully the wind looks promising. Still lots of leaves on the trees, but they have turned color and a cold/windy snap should dump lots of them. Hoping to dump a deer this week . . .
Good Luck Y'all!