I'm taking a week off of work this winter for hunting. Unfortunately I can't go out of town this year so I'm stuck with south NJ. Maybe some of the local board members have an educated opinion on what might be the best week of the elusive rutt for 2014.
what might be the best week of hunting in 2014 ?
willmac1.wm
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lets see sounds good
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If it's the number of bucks you'll see then the chasing phase is the best. Usually 1-2 weeks before the rut, so last week of Oct to first week of November should work. If your after the biggest buck in the area then the earlier the better and late season like 2nd week of Jan. A lot of hunters confuse the rut (breeding) with the chasing phase. The breeding phase will have the bucks usually in lock-down so activity will be slow, unless you are lucky enough to walk up to a buck in lock-down then you can take him as he won't leave the doe. During Lock-down I don't stand hunt and still hunt all day. During the chase phase I stand hunt all day as the bucks will be running all day long. In Jan esp with a fresh snow fall you can follow fresh buck tracks with the wind in your face and catch them feeding unaware of your presence. My last 3 NJ bucks all Pope and Young were shot on the ground 2 in Jan and one during lock-down in Nov with a doe that he would not leave and let me get within 40 yds. I am not an expert, but have been bowhunting over 40 years and these are the best times in my opinion to take a buck.
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thanks ima deff try that in late season. makes sense [up]
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Let me twist the question..."When did the best times of hunting take place in the last five years?" [confused] I'd bet few if anyone can actually quantify that.
After going bust 2 seasons straight taking off the week of predicted "prime times"; I started watching predictions and reading results (just from here, nothing scientific). Over 5 years, the only thing I've consistently seen is there is no consistency in rut predictions with the actual reports of a rut. I've seen more "maybe it's next week" or "maybe it passed" reports than anything that says,"Yeah, its here!" Granted, different parts of the State will have different times, but I can't even recall seeing reports from enough numbers (at one time) to convince me that a rut was really on! JMO, but good luck with whatever week you take off![up]
After going bust 2 seasons straight taking off the week of predicted "prime times"; I started watching predictions and reading results (just from here, nothing scientific). Over 5 years, the only thing I've consistently seen is there is no consistency in rut predictions with the actual reports of a rut. I've seen more "maybe it's next week" or "maybe it passed" reports than anything that says,"Yeah, its here!" Granted, different parts of the State will have different times, but I can't even recall seeing reports from enough numbers (at one time) to convince me that a rut was really on! JMO, but good luck with whatever week you take off![up]
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Look at the full moons of October and November when the full moon in October falls near the end of October or falls early November you can bet a good bit of chasing/ seeking starting around the full moon and peeking 3-5 days after the full moon. With breeding tending 7-10 days after full moon. When the full moon falls middle of each month like it did last year you will see a trickle rut with some does coming in middle of October a few coming in late October and early November then another push coming mid November after the full moon. If you kept notes the last 5 years compare it to the full moon and I think you will be surprised at the pattern you see develope.
Just keep in mind if we get warm weather those prime weeks the seeking and chasing phase will be a lot less obvious during daylight hours with it becoming more obvious on trail cams after dark.
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Interesting you say that because the weather patterns in general seem to be the prevailing fly in the ointment. Don't get me wrong, I get the moon patterns, etc. and I get it's all about increasing the odds; but I've seen so many die hard predictions go south I wonder if it's worth any more value than entertainment. Then again...what's an internet chat room![rofl]
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They are gonna start seeking and chasing when the does are about to come into heat. The does are gonna come into heat when their body says so and it's not affected by the weather pattern. The weather only affects the amount of activity you physically see.
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I'm gonna jump on the bandwagon and say first two weeks of nov.thats when I'm taking off for ny.that being said last year around here i saw the majority of the bucks Oct 29,30,31.i killed a good 6 point the day before halloween.dont overlook the days leading up to halloween especially if the weathers cool.those days always surprise me.
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I have vacation the first two weeks of November for the Virginia muzzy season. Can't Wait!
Youve shot three P&Y bucks in New Jersey? You do know what that means right and how big they have to score?
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What's hard to believe about 3 p&y deer in jersey. My father has shot 2. if you have the right property 125" isn't common bit definitely a realistic goal. I know several other guys with prime spots in Monmouth County that have 10+ p&y. Don't think they would shoot a buck that isn't at least 125".
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