RE: DE Deer Season starts in a few hours
Well, I hadn't hunted the area I was in for a couple of years, so I drove over Sunday, and put a couple glow tacks on the tree I liked, it's a good natural funnel in a small ravine. Got out of there quick and took advantage of the downpour to hang a couple stands undetected in MD.
I was settled in and waiting by 5:00, and right at dawn one worked by in the thick stuff, and two little forms gosted by under the tree, had to be a couple fawns and their mom. About 7:00, a small buck worked his way towards me, and stopped to paw out a little spot about 10yds from my tree. As I waited for a good angle, he looked back, so I held off to see what else was with him. Another buck about the same size followed him out, and they started gobbling acorns 10yds from me. After a minute or two, they squared off and started sparring, but they were still in velvet so they wouldn't touch antlers, but poked each other's hind quarters, essentially chasing each other's tails in a circle. By this time, I had the bow back, but every time they stopped, they were at bad angles. Finally they stopped broadside, and I double lunged the first one, who went about 40yds and piled up. My first buck in velvet. 110lb 3pt, but a tasty way to start the season.
Came one short of my limit on doves in the evening, and was invited to hunt a farm Tuesday morning by my buddy. Could have filled my quality buck tag on a big 6pt with no brow tines, but decided it's still early to tag out on bucks. Tuesday evening I glassed my fields in MD, and saw enough to keep me awake a little longer ever night between now and the opener, LOL. Found a monster on a piece of public land.
Total for two mornings was 4 bucks in range, 4 does sited.
"In heaven, even the fish have antlers"