[bgood]

Yesterday me and some guys from my club posted a property we have and during that time we came across several areas where there were rubs and some pretty major scrapes. I won't be hunting this property until ML season which starts the week of Thanksgiving for does only and then later for bucks starting 11/28. So here's my question. Will these spots still be fairly active once we get into late November? Will the rut still be happening?

In previous years I've only hunted shotgun in Zones that didn't offer November hunting options and I never really paid too much attention to early season or rut activity. I always just looked for prints and deer crap to find a spot (not effectively I might add).

I could use some advice as to how to hunt these locations in the last two weeks of November? Any ideas? Thanks

Also, a big part of this property is a corn field backed up by hardwoods (tons of hickory and acorn) and swamp. The corn is already cut down but will deer still come to the field to feed on whatever corn is left on the ground or will they mostly have moved off that as a food source in favor of the nuts?

 

[bgood]

I have to give this one bump. Somebody must have some opinions. Thanks.

 

[JerseyJim]

Will the rut still be happening?

Yes it will!!!

The corn is already cut down but will deer still come to the field to feed

By late Nov. I don't think there will be much corn left on the ground. They will most likely be looking at other food sources.
IMHO you should set up were you have seen the most deer sign, tracks, trails, rubs, scrapes, ect.ect.. The rut will be on and where you find does you will fined bucks following. If you can figure out what they're eating at the time and/or where they are bedding these are the best areas to set up in. Between bedding and feeding is the ideal spot! Good luck!

 

[Dragthor]

bgood, if you are hunting where I think you are hunting... this is what happened last year:

In October a buck was making nice rubs and then scrapes in a an area that I hunt. I hunted the area throughout October but only saw him 2 or 3 times (really early in the AM). However, when Nov. rolled around.... vanished.

Even worse... 6-day he became a nocturnal ghost.

Oh... and I think he survived. Hopefully, I have a chance at him this October.

 

[bgood]

Thanks Drag. I am concerned about them going nocturnal too. The area I'm talking about is not my Jefferson spot but another property we have in Lambertville - I'll probably hunt down there for the early ML season then move up to Jefferson for later. My guess is they are bedding back in the thick stuff and move into the fields for feeding. Just behind the field are some really nice areas with water and plenty of Oaks and Hickorys so I expect to set up between the thickets in the back of the property and the Oak grove/stream area. At least that's my current game plan.

I have scouted Jefferson in a very limited way so far (road the perimeter on my Mt. Bike) and really didn't see much sign at all but the guys tell me its a decent property. I want to get back up there now that things are heating up (cooling off). I need a good solid 3 hours on a Sunday morning!!!!!!

I appreciate the advice. I hope you get that guy or at least push him to me .