Early rut activity

[Joeabowhunter]

Was out Sunday morning not expecting much.  Haven't put in much scouting time this year at all and deer numbers seem to be down.  I was really happy to see a P&Y buck in the middle of a picked bean field but then I saw a beauty of a buck standing still along the edge of a hedge row guarding a doe.  He's a massive body 9pt with a rack similar to my avatar but wider and longer all over.  He made a couple scrapes as I watched him through the binos but he was fixed on that doe.  He would dog her a little but not let her get 20 yards away from him.  I had a good steady wind in my favour so climbed out of my stand to try and get closer and hope they would pass by me.  Long story short, after an hour of creeping tree to tree and getting setup in a ditch something spooked them and they didn't follow the script.  Trotted back my way and passed at about 50 yards heading into the big woods.  Seemed early in season to see this mature buck after a doe.

[23feetupandhappy]

Seen a nice one tending a doe on Saturday here.

Early yes but there are always a few that come in a month early.

They are very callable right now, grunted in a nice 8 point last night......

And he shoots  

Oh ya, need to pick a spot  

[Sam McMichael]

I own a small tract in Middle Georgia. My grandson and I went scouting, and I was totally astounded at the number of scrapes we found. I have not seen many deer this year, but there are some out there for sure. From the looks of the size of saplings they have been rubbing on, I have some big bucks or some little ones with profound delusions of grandeur.

I am having some health issues, so I can't pull my hunting bow. But it is still fun to scout and watch the deer activity.

[GladwinHunter777]

Seen a small 5 point with his nose up under a doe about 2 weeks ago. If she moved he was right there with her....like a dog on a leash. I thought this was odd to be happening so early as well.

[Terry Green]

Saw a dead 8 point this am at my exit off I75 in the emergency lane....yep, its starting...

[Cyclic-Rivers]

No Doubt things are starting to gear up.  seeing more bucks while driving to work. scrape activity at the farm is hot.

saw 4 bucks chasing each other around the other day mid day and my little brother had 3 young bucks harassing a doe in his field 2 weeks ago.

Hoping for more activity at the farm I live close to, with no food source and a  lot of cover the does seek shelter in there and potential suitors follow.

Hardly seen a buck all summer on this property but I know it will change.

[indianalongbowshooter]

Always some old does that come in early and get the big ones up and moving.. the young dumb ones are always running around like love struck teenagers.

[fnshtr]

Early here in Wood County too. Found "territorial scrapes" the first week in October. Some chasing last week and rutting scrapes started showing up a couple weeks back. Bachelor groups broken up now. Get ready to get after it. Everything is set!

Good luck and blessings!

[Keith Zimmerman]

Yep, seeing it too. Gonna bust loose soon.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Saw many bucks on the way home from work today. Weekend temps will be in the 30s  

[T Sunstone]

I saw a medium buck dogging 4 does tonight and watched a buck work a scrape to dark to see what he was wearing 40 yards away.  On the way home saw a headless deer on the side of the road.  This is in southern Maryland.

[Friend]

Seeing plenty of sign and action that the action is heating up.

Planning to hunt all-dqyers the next couple of days.

[Bowguy67]

Here's my theory on this time of year. Bucks care not about does. It's does in heat, or does coming in that is what they care about. Less does in or near season mean the buck to doe in season ratio is much better than during the full blown rut and thus adds to the competition of the bucks to be first. That's why I believe they seem more receptive to calling, scents.
 Either way it is starting so good luck

[Rays Arrow]

They are defiantly moving more.  Saw nice bucks two days in a row on a commute I make everyday and seldom see a buck.

[ShrtRnd]

Scrapes and rub lines are showing increased activity over in this area of the Province within the last week or so..