July NEWSLETTER 2008 |
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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., 163 College Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281
Email: discoverscent@disappearhp.com
| Disappear Hunting Products |
HUNTERS,
July is the month to start getting serious, about the upcoming fall season. There are a few areas,
through out the US, that start allowing deer hunting in August, although the majority will start
sometime in September. The point that I want emphasize is, the deer, particularly bucks, are
currently in the pattern that they will most likely be in when the early seasons open. This time only
last a short while depending your geographical location, as well as the exact timing of opening day.
As October rolls around, the prerut kicks in, and then everything, starts to change. Factors, that can
alter the deer, in the early season, are food source changes, crop harvest, and removing cover, in
the case of cornfields.
The thought has been around for a long time, that if you want a big buck, wait until the rut starts.
Well, think about this fact. Several years ago, a huge typical buck was harvested, on the opening
day of bow season here in Ohio ( end of September ). Also, I am noticing more and more good size
bucks, are being taken during this early part of the hunting season, around the country. The beauty
of it is, we can scout and pattern deer, that are not being hunted, from now on, until we are in our
stand or hunting location, on opening day. The bucks, are now approaching the full growth of their
antlers, so we can now gain a pretty fair idea, of what class of buck, we have to hunt this fall. One
thing to be careful of, with the velvet still on their antlers, they can look very attractive. Although,
when you see a buck in the 140-150 class and up, you do not have to question, whether this a buck
you want to learn more about.
Let's talk about some ways to approach scouting for bucks. First we will discuss farm country or
lands with open areas, interspersed with small woodlots and those up to a couple hundred acres.
Generally these areas possess some fence rows, water ways, creeks or streams, that the deer will
use for their highways. Whitetails, especially the bucks, are always looking for cover or terrain to
keep them out of direct view. Also, in my experience, they prefer the corners of woodlots or
cornfields, for their entry and exit points, going from type of cover to another. One other thought to
keep in mind, are the temperatures, that summer brings. Deer will seek the coolest areas in their
range, to escape the heat, as well as insects.
If you are hunting familiar hunting grounds, then you have a pretty good idea where to start. Crop
changes, new homes being built in woodlots, or other types of land alterations, may be items you
need to adjust to. The first thing I do, whether I am familiar or not, is cover as much of the area, I
am planning to hunt, as I can. I am looking for the concentrations of use by the deer for my starting
point. The first areas, I check are streams, looking for crossings, fence rows leading from one
cover to another, and the corners of wooded areas, and corn or overgrown fields. Once I find a
concentration of tracks, or feeding locations, I then, follow tracks both ways, so that I might better
understand, why those locations are of more interest to the deer. Once I establish the bedding
areas, I steer clear of those, as I do not want to alter their patterns. I then look for strategic
locations, that I might spend time observing, without interfering, the deer as they go about their
business, or set up trail cams. What I am really looking for, are locations, on their travel routes,
between the bedding and feeding areas, that I may place a stand or myself. I want to be as close to
the bedding area, as I can, without disturbing or letting the deer know I am there. Again, it is a little
easier to accomplish this scenario, this time of year, because of all the vegetation, still in place.
Once you feel, you have chosen your stand locations, any preparation needed, should be done right
away. Some years back, I found a low spot in the terrain, that the deer used while crossing a
stream. The tracks were profuse and it was not far from a bedding area. The second or third time I
was in that stand, I arrowed a nice buck. It can go that easy, if we do our homework. Next month,
I will talk about the early season hunting, in the large wooded areas, as well as hilly or mountainous
areas.
Until next month, take care,
Keith Dotterer
July is the month to start getting serious, about the upcoming fall season. There are a few areas,
through out the US, that start allowing deer hunting in August, although the majority will start
sometime in September. The point that I want emphasize is, the deer, particularly bucks, are
currently in the pattern that they will most likely be in when the early seasons open. This time only
last a short while depending your geographical location, as well as the exact timing of opening day.
As October rolls around, the prerut kicks in, and then everything, starts to change. Factors, that can
alter the deer, in the early season, are food source changes, crop harvest, and removing cover, in
the case of cornfields.
The thought has been around for a long time, that if you want a big buck, wait until the rut starts.
Well, think about this fact. Several years ago, a huge typical buck was harvested, on the opening
day of bow season here in Ohio ( end of September ). Also, I am noticing more and more good size
bucks, are being taken during this early part of the hunting season, around the country. The beauty
of it is, we can scout and pattern deer, that are not being hunted, from now on, until we are in our
stand or hunting location, on opening day. The bucks, are now approaching the full growth of their
antlers, so we can now gain a pretty fair idea, of what class of buck, we have to hunt this fall. One
thing to be careful of, with the velvet still on their antlers, they can look very attractive. Although,
when you see a buck in the 140-150 class and up, you do not have to question, whether this a buck
you want to learn more about.
Let's talk about some ways to approach scouting for bucks. First we will discuss farm country or
lands with open areas, interspersed with small woodlots and those up to a couple hundred acres.
Generally these areas possess some fence rows, water ways, creeks or streams, that the deer will
use for their highways. Whitetails, especially the bucks, are always looking for cover or terrain to
keep them out of direct view. Also, in my experience, they prefer the corners of woodlots or
cornfields, for their entry and exit points, going from type of cover to another. One other thought to
keep in mind, are the temperatures, that summer brings. Deer will seek the coolest areas in their
range, to escape the heat, as well as insects.
If you are hunting familiar hunting grounds, then you have a pretty good idea where to start. Crop
changes, new homes being built in woodlots, or other types of land alterations, may be items you
need to adjust to. The first thing I do, whether I am familiar or not, is cover as much of the area, I
am planning to hunt, as I can. I am looking for the concentrations of use by the deer for my starting
point. The first areas, I check are streams, looking for crossings, fence rows leading from one
cover to another, and the corners of wooded areas, and corn or overgrown fields. Once I find a
concentration of tracks, or feeding locations, I then, follow tracks both ways, so that I might better
understand, why those locations are of more interest to the deer. Once I establish the bedding
areas, I steer clear of those, as I do not want to alter their patterns. I then look for strategic
locations, that I might spend time observing, without interfering, the deer as they go about their
business, or set up trail cams. What I am really looking for, are locations, on their travel routes,
between the bedding and feeding areas, that I may place a stand or myself. I want to be as close to
the bedding area, as I can, without disturbing or letting the deer know I am there. Again, it is a little
easier to accomplish this scenario, this time of year, because of all the vegetation, still in place.
Once you feel, you have chosen your stand locations, any preparation needed, should be done right
away. Some years back, I found a low spot in the terrain, that the deer used while crossing a
stream. The tracks were profuse and it was not far from a bedding area. The second or third time I
was in that stand, I arrowed a nice buck. It can go that easy, if we do our homework. Next month,
I will talk about the early season hunting, in the large wooded areas, as well as hilly or mountainous
areas.
Until next month, take care,
Keith Dotterer
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