2023 deer hunt

[gimruis]

I know there’s a fair number of deer hunters on here and archery season will be opening up soon in many northern states. It starts here in MN on Sat, Sept 16. They’ve legalized the use of crossbows here this season for the general population during archery season.

 

So let’s hear about your plans, strategies, and failures right here for the upcoming season. And most of all, photos of those harvested deer!

 

Good luck out there this season.

[TnRiver46]

Been open for a while already, they allow a velvet buck here now. My strategy is hope my friends have success and give me some food! Hunting is way too expensive for me 

[Way north bass guy]

Opens Oct 1 here, but I doubt I’ll get out with the bow this year ( haven’t in a few years, just too busy). Our two week rifle season is first half of November, I’ll be going to our hunt camp for several days to enjoy the time away from work, and spend some time catching up with about 8 other guys that are just a blast to hang around. Can’t wait!

[gimruis]

1 hour ago, Way north bass guy said:

Our two week rifle season is first half of November

That's when ours is too.  Ours is 9 days.  I hunt at least 8 of them, if not all 9.  Weather permitting.

[Bird]

Brother and I are hanging tree stands next weekend.

Problem we're having is drought.

I'm not seeing the amount of Bucks on camera that I usually see as there's no water up on the mountain.

 

Oak trees have aborted small acorns already due to drought.

My level of enthusiasm has taken a hit but I'll still be out there.

[12poundbass]

Our bow season starts Oct 1 and rifle season Nov 15. I don’t have the free time needed for bow hunting. 6poundbass wants to give bow hunting a go this year. I’ll go out for rifle season. 
 

My friend who’s land we’ll hunt gave me access to his cellular trail cams so I get all the pics sent right to my phone in real time. We’ve seen one nice shooter and a decent one who is board line shooter. Plenty of little ones who could be decent in a couple years. 

[JackstrawIII]

On 9/14/2023 at 12:34 AM, TnRiver46 said:

Hunting is way too expensive for me 

Haha I’ve spent WAY more on fishing gear than hunting gear (not including firearms). 
 

But, to answer the OP, we have a new short anterless-only season in September now here in NY for certain WMUs that have too many deer, according to the DEC.
 

Well, I went out with farmer friends and we were able to fill 7 tags on Saturday night. A huge blessing for my family to fill the freezer, with leftovers to share. 
 

Will try for a buck in November, but the pressure is off for now… which means I can keep fishing!! 

[gimruis]

1 minute ago, JackstrawIII said:

Haha I’ve spent WAY more on fishing gear than hunting gear (not including firearms). 

You bring up an interesting point.

 

I would have to do some math but I imagine all my fishing stuff compared to my hunting stuff is pretty even if I include the firearms and boat. Hunting licenses certainly cost more every year when compared to a fishing license. At least for me.

[LrgmouthShad]

I may hunt but I don’t expressly plan on it, unless it is at home. My Dad told me there are 2-3 potential shooters right now where the family hunts but that the deer are very nocturnal currently. Have been tough to find in a hunting session. He has photos of a new very large buck that arrived recently. That’s the one he and Mom hope to shoot this season. 

[casts_by_fly]

Bow season opened last weekend here and I had planned to be out early. We’re in an earn a buck zone until October so I planned to shoot a quick doe and be flexible on shooting an early buck if one came through. 40 yard groups were looking good and even backing up to 55 yards I was looking pretty good (I wouldn’t take a shot at a deer that far).  Unfortunately with my mother in law passing we were back in PA for the opener and even once we got back here I had a bunch of catch up work to do. I will get out this weekend for a shake down hunt just to get in the woods. 
 

my plan for the year is much like last year. We have a 2500 acre wma at the bottom of our road that has a bunch of deer on it. I can hunt it on sundays also. I have a few locations that I bounce around on it and hunting from a saddle means I can keep moving around. There are two township properties that I get a permit for which are similar. One borders the wma and my own 3 acres which is handy. Then come the rut season in a month or so the bucks start roaming the ridge behind the house. There are a couple doe bedding areas within 200 yards of the house and the bucks run between them in the mornings and evenings.  Starting around the 26th or so and running into the second week of November I’ll be in the backyard tree as much as the wind permits (I have Wi-Fi in my stand).  Last year I was on a guys trip the prime first week of November and have a picture of my target buck under my stand as I was climbing into the car to the airport…. Not going on a trip this year.