2018 Rut report

[Trapshooter1]

Last night I drove around some of the areas I shotgun hunt. Seen an absolute stud 160-170 inch 10-12 pointer feeding with about 20 does/ small bucks. He took off after a doe that was in heat, he was completely uncontested. Then hit a couple more areas. And seen a couple more bucks cruising around looking for the last hot does.

 

[Keith stone]

Saw very little rut until about nov. 12 here in s.e. iowa. Sightings of big ones were scarce. Worst year in a long time for me.

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[BJohnson]

Hunted all day on Tue, S Central IA, 8" snow depth. Decent am activity on secluded brassica plot. Two 2-3 yr old bucks showed up around 1100 to check on the 10+ does that had been milling around the area, no mature shooter bucks. Midday movement was a bit slower. More does back in the brassicas around 1600 and I decided I had bought my doe tag for a purpose so I let one fly 33 yards.

My last early bow season hunt was Central IA this am in a reliable doe bedding area. Four anterless around me by 0700. Passed a nice 135ish three yr old 9 at 15 steps after he came in to check on the does-fawns. Second pass for him at point blank range in Nov - hopefully I can see him next yr or in 2020.

I know most have given up on am hunts by now but I think solid bedding areas or secluded plots that see midday doe traffic are still worth some seat time.

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[StickersNKickers]

I forgot to post yesterday. On the way to work in a.m. I saw several deer out in fields, and two decent bucks crossing the road in front of me. Guessing they were looking for does.