December NEWSLETTER 2009 |
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have topic you would wish to be discussed in a future newsletter, let us know and we will
consider it.
If you do not want future newsletters, please email or write us advising so and you will be
removed from the list.
Write to: Disappear Hunting Products Inc., PO Box 414, Wadsworth, OH 44282
Email: discoverscent@disappearhp.com
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HUNTERS
As I write this, I am pondering a very interesting year so far. As I wrote last month, there have been some
very nice bucks taken this fall hunting season. Here in Ohio, it has been a strange season to say the least.
The acorn crop in the area we are hunting is non existent, which affects deer movement considerably.
Secondly, the amount of buck rubs is the least amount this year that I have seen in a number of years. Then
the first two weeks of November, during the peak of the rut, sightings of big bucks during daylight hours was
very low. This is the type of hunting that can leave you scratching your head and wondering if you have
totally lost your hunting skills.
Before I go any further, I would appreciate the experiences and feedback from my readers from around the
country in regards to the above comments. Now I will give you my take on the matter. Here in Ohio, we had
a very warm September, This is when a lot of the buck are doing their rubbing, ( although they continue to
rub to a certain extent, until they lose their antlers ) in order to strengthen their neck muscles and relieve
some of the frustration of the energy building for the upcoming rut. Scientific studies haven proven that the
rut and related activities are 100% controlled by the length of daylight, so the rut is going to happen every
year no matter what. Evidence of that are the fawns born the following spring. Now what matters to us
hunters, is the amount of activity displayed by the bucks, as this is what creates opportunity. With winter’s
coat and body fat built up, a buck probably does not feel like bustling around during a 70 degree day and if
the nights stay warm, no doubt the same results are going to happen. We had this scenario and this may be
the reason of the small amount of rubs this year. Then October rolled around and the weather got ugly, much
cooler temperatures, a lot of cold rain and buck activity everywhere. As I mentioned last month, scrapes
were appearing all over the place as well as seeing lot’s of nice bucks. Some dandies were taken.
Then November and the rut. I must confess, I don’t recall such pleasant weather as I was enjoying while
hunting the first two weeks of November. 60’s & 70’s during the day with mostly sunshine is great if you are
simply on vacation, but it sure does not do much for hunting big bucks. The only sightings of trophy bucks we
experienced, except for one ( spotted at 8:00 am ) were before or right at first light (before legal shooting
hours ) and at dusk or after dark ( again not during legal times ). The cold weather brings out a lot more
activity from the bucks and this is what creates all the sightings normally experienced this time of year.
Whitetails farther south don’t have as thick of winter coat and maybe not as much fat buildup, allowing them
to be more active without feeling discomfort. There are always ways around such situations, and as they say,
go to plan B.
My next move was to check out areas around creek bottoms that are accessed by steep sides ( very
difficult to get and out of ) and filled with all kinds of miserable briars, multiflora rose, saplings, grapevines
and other such vegetation. These spots are considerably cooler, being lower in elevation, as well as shielded
from most of the direct sunlight. Well I found the bucks I was looking for, but so far no shots, as you have to
be right on top of them, because of the heavy cover. The most important fact in this arena of hunting, is to
be able to slip in and out, as undetected as possible. I will continue my pursuit and I guess this is what I
really like about hunting big whitetail bucks. It is never easy and you have to make constant adjustments for
one reason or another. But ah, when you succeed, there is no better feeling in the hunting world than that of
wrapping your hands around the antlers of a dandy whitetail buck.
I want to wish all of you and your families a Blessed and safe holiday season,
Keith Dotterer
As I write this, I am pondering a very interesting year so far. As I wrote last month, there have been some
very nice bucks taken this fall hunting season. Here in Ohio, it has been a strange season to say the least.
The acorn crop in the area we are hunting is non existent, which affects deer movement considerably.
Secondly, the amount of buck rubs is the least amount this year that I have seen in a number of years. Then
the first two weeks of November, during the peak of the rut, sightings of big bucks during daylight hours was
very low. This is the type of hunting that can leave you scratching your head and wondering if you have
totally lost your hunting skills.
Before I go any further, I would appreciate the experiences and feedback from my readers from around the
country in regards to the above comments. Now I will give you my take on the matter. Here in Ohio, we had
a very warm September, This is when a lot of the buck are doing their rubbing, ( although they continue to
rub to a certain extent, until they lose their antlers ) in order to strengthen their neck muscles and relieve
some of the frustration of the energy building for the upcoming rut. Scientific studies haven proven that the
rut and related activities are 100% controlled by the length of daylight, so the rut is going to happen every
year no matter what. Evidence of that are the fawns born the following spring. Now what matters to us
hunters, is the amount of activity displayed by the bucks, as this is what creates opportunity. With winter’s
coat and body fat built up, a buck probably does not feel like bustling around during a 70 degree day and if
the nights stay warm, no doubt the same results are going to happen. We had this scenario and this may be
the reason of the small amount of rubs this year. Then October rolled around and the weather got ugly, much
cooler temperatures, a lot of cold rain and buck activity everywhere. As I mentioned last month, scrapes
were appearing all over the place as well as seeing lot’s of nice bucks. Some dandies were taken.
Then November and the rut. I must confess, I don’t recall such pleasant weather as I was enjoying while
hunting the first two weeks of November. 60’s & 70’s during the day with mostly sunshine is great if you are
simply on vacation, but it sure does not do much for hunting big bucks. The only sightings of trophy bucks we
experienced, except for one ( spotted at 8:00 am ) were before or right at first light (before legal shooting
hours ) and at dusk or after dark ( again not during legal times ). The cold weather brings out a lot more
activity from the bucks and this is what creates all the sightings normally experienced this time of year.
Whitetails farther south don’t have as thick of winter coat and maybe not as much fat buildup, allowing them
to be more active without feeling discomfort. There are always ways around such situations, and as they say,
go to plan B.
My next move was to check out areas around creek bottoms that are accessed by steep sides ( very
difficult to get and out of ) and filled with all kinds of miserable briars, multiflora rose, saplings, grapevines
and other such vegetation. These spots are considerably cooler, being lower in elevation, as well as shielded
from most of the direct sunlight. Well I found the bucks I was looking for, but so far no shots, as you have to
be right on top of them, because of the heavy cover. The most important fact in this arena of hunting, is to
be able to slip in and out, as undetected as possible. I will continue my pursuit and I guess this is what I
really like about hunting big whitetail bucks. It is never easy and you have to make constant adjustments for
one reason or another. But ah, when you succeed, there is no better feeling in the hunting world than that of
wrapping your hands around the antlers of a dandy whitetail buck.
I want to wish all of you and your families a Blessed and safe holiday season,
Keith Dotterer
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