Need Help In Mass

MassBowhunter · 11-12-2002, 01:05 PM

I'm hunting zone 11 (Berkley) and seeing nothing but does and button bucks. About 2 weeks ago the area was torn up with scrapes and rubs. Now the scrapes have gone dry and the only sign I'm seeing is in their feeding areas. I know where the does are bedding and am hunting the fringes of it. It's always been my belief that if you find the does you'll find the bucks. That doesn't seem to be the case this year. Are there just so many does around that the bucks don't need to move as much or what? I did see one 4-6 pointer moving through at about 90mph but that was it. Last year the area I was hunting had a good solid buck that I believe was the dominant buck. He was always in the area and responded pretty well to rattling/calling. Just never got him in close enough for a shot. He was harvested by a Dodge Ram about halfway throught the shotgun season though <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>. Anyone else having this problem? Any ideas on where to setup or what to do? Any help is appreciated. BTW I picked up my license too late to send in for the doe tag and didn't get a chance to purchase one.

Thanks
MASSBOWHUNTER

DaveH · 11-12-2002, 01:14 PM

Mass--I could've written what you just wrote. It sounds as if we're hunting the same stretch of woods . . . except I'm hunting in Maryland. It's strange, you're supposed to see bucks running all over the place unawares during the rut--and some years it's like that. Then there's years like this were a spaceship comes down and takes the deer to another planet to do their breeding! I've just got to find where it's landing and when!!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Today's small bucks are tomorrow's trophies.

Tom Mac · 11-13-2002, 12:26 PM

I hunt zone 11 as well and I took a nice 7 point Nov. 1st when he came into the Wildlife Reseaerch #1 Select Estrous scent I had out. He chased a doe all morning in the area and it wasn't until 8:15am the doe led him down wind of me and he winded the scent and came to investigate. I'm sure that buck would have continued chasing the doe if I hadn't had the scent out so that is what I would try especially at this time. My buddy also had a small buck come into a scent wick last Monday. An estrous scent could be just the thing if you're hunting edges of doe beds. Also, see if anyone else is hunting your area. Someone moved into my area witout permission and I found out he hit a deer and lost it and must have

laxnut · 11-13-2002, 04:41 PM

The rut is in full swing. All the good bucks are bedded down with a doe waiting for her to become ripe. The bucks will only move if the doe they are with is moving and they don't move much. In a week or two we will be in post rut. 25% of the does will still need to breed and the big boys will be running all over the place.

Red-Dawn · 11-16-2002, 11:11 AM

I also hunt zone 11 in Mass. I hunt Lakeville and Berkley also. Shoot me an email if you'd like. We probably hunt really close together. I've shot 2 bucks already this year and could probably give you a couple tips on how i've been seeing them. I've seen 11 different bucks this year.
Matt@BristolCountyComputer.com

MassBowhunter · 11-16-2002, 02:45 PM

Thanks for all the input. I've got a few new ideas to work with now. I'll keep you all posted.

DaveH if you find that spaceship can you see if any of the deer on board have Massachusetts Plates?<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

MASSBOWHUNTER