Pick a date

[JV NC]

in 09 I saw 2 MATURE bucks on public land the opener in mid September...

They didn't look like they were spooked at all but when they crossed my scent trail they were. They were huge both 140 class and up, huge horse bodies, glistening in the sunlight...ugghh I will always remember that.

I'll bet you will!

Good stuff. How many others, through the years (mature bucks in the AM - early season)?

[Czabs]

in 09 I saw 2 MATURE bucks on public land the opener in mid September...

They didn't look like they were spooked at all but when they crossed my scent trail they were. They were huge both 140 class and up, huge horse bodies, glistening in the sunlight...ugghh I will always remember that.

I'll bet you will!

Good stuff. How many others, through the years (mature bucks in the AM - early season)?

I'm am not the greatest candidate for the job on this question (only been hunting 9 years) but that was the only time I've seen any mature buck outside of the rut in the morning...

[JV NC]

Doesn't matter how long you've been hunting. I appreciate your input.

People can cram a LOT of tree time in a short number of years.

Thanks again.

[dan]

I kind of shake my head at this post... You want me to list the dates when I saw bucks in the morning?
I couldn't give you dates when I seen them at all... How would you expect someone to remember dates? All I can say is yes, I have limited success in early season and so have friends of mine.

Basically, bucks are generally bedded in the morning before shooting light during early season...
You can take three approaches...

1) You can consistently hunt mornings anyway and spook your bucks and hurt your success. But I figure those doing it figure more time in the tree is helping them.

2) You can take the approach that hunting mornings is to risky, and decide to skip mornings during early season. People doing this seem to figure they are doing less damage by not spooking deer.

3) You can make the occasional calculated planned attack in the mornings based on what mornings the bucks are most likely to move in the AM...
This approach can also be combined with hunting the bucks who are bedding in areas where you could not possibly get close enough in the evening.

My approach is #3...

[JV NC]

You want me to list the dates when I saw bucks in the morning?

Well.....yeah. Don't you find it intersting that a lot of people see mature bucks (early-season) so rarely -- that they DO actually remember the date(s)?

If you see a bunch of 'em, that's great!

I didn't mean to leave you shaking your head. But, I would like to hear more about this.

3) You can make the occasional calculated planned attack in the mornings based on what mornings the bucks are most likely to move in the AM...

What would make an early-season, mature buck stay out later in the AM? What are the clues to look for/know. I too would like to choose this option.

Thanks.

[dan]

What would make an early-season, mature buck stay out later in the AM? What are the clues to look for/know. I too would like to choose this option.

Evening or night time storm that leaves the morning calm...
Moon over head / underfoot within a couple hours of daylight.

[headgear]

I called no one here......"lost".

My mistake, I apologise. Hopefully you can see how "here" could have easily been misunderstood for this website and not your home state/area.

[JV NC]

Headgear...it's all good. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and just ask them what they mean - prior to forming an opinion. Do I do that 100% of the time? Sadly, no.

Like I said, it's all good.

[goldtip5575]

What would make an early-season, mature buck stay out later in the AM? What are the clues to look for/know. I too would like to choose this option.

Thanks.[/quote]
[tab=30] Seen later big buck movement on foggy calm mornings.

[JakeJD]

Seen later big buck movement on foggy calm mornings.

I have been seriously bowhunting for 4-5 years. My first year of hunting one large public tract, I saw a mature buck (at least 3.5+) with a younger buck around an hour after light on a cool, damp, foggy morning in late September of early October.

I never really put two and two together before.

[Stanley]

Opening day of deer season would be the earliest. However my cameras tell me in August also, that is when I set my cameras out. Good thread.