I had to go to Walmart today to pick up a few things, and decided while I was there to zip through the hunting section to see what was shakin. I got there, and was appalled. The line at the counter was 20 deep, with people buying licenses and guns. As I walked by the counter, I heard a man inquite, "Do I need to sight this gun in or something, or is it ready to kill at deer with?" He was serious, and the cashier said it should be ready to go. There was nothing left, be it scent, shells, or calls.
I thought for a sec, looked at the people around me, and bought myself one of the last blaze orange vests they had left.
I can only imagine what all those calls, scents, and guns are going to do to deer movement in my neck of the country.
Time to hunt the deepest thickest cover.

Good luck all, and be safe.

Yep...Monday is the opening day of our two week rifle season.......but just the begining of a stretch of rifle seasons and muzzleloader season. The great 4 weeks of archery seasons end Saturday and the deer run crazy the rest of the year. Goodluck to everyone from here on out....your going to need it. [&:]

Oh I know exactly what you mean. Been there, seen that. It's rediculous isn't it! Wow I totally agree.

Our general season started on the 4th and most weekends it sounds like a shooting gallery. However this year has been unusually quiet. We have not been seeing many deer and I guess no one else is. I moved one of my stands into some really thick stuff to see if they might be in there.

I stopped at the Bass Pro Shop last night after hunting to pick up a couple things for opening of shotgun here in NY saturday.
All I can say is.....

It was insane. Orange stuff flying all over the place and dangling from shelves. About 70 people in the ammo aisle. People buying guns. People literally RUNNING through the store! Listening to conversations that I wish I rather not heard. I grabbed my batteries for my flashlights and orange hat and got the heck out of there.


What's even worse is the last 2 or 3 days of bowseason here. All I hear is ATV's riding all over. Hammering of stands being revised. People talking. Shots being fired sighting in guns. ACCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK[:'(][]

campo,

scary isn't it? It is pretty sad when i am actually freightened to walk to my spot on opening day of rifle anymore. I now look like a giant pumpkin and I hate it. I am just happy that my neighbors on both sides of me post their property like crazy to prevent the crazies from entering.

Here's what I don't get....

How can someone buy a license and a gun (no clue about the gun) and not go through hunter education first (so they would at least learn something about hunting/firearms). [&:]

Wal-Mart? I hardly ever shop at Wal-Mart.... I avoid their hunting/fishing section like the plague. It's totally insane! Dick's Sportings Goods is fast becoming that way too!

I buy my stuff weeks ahead of time, so I don't have to deal with that mess in the stores. I am all set for rifle season tomorrow (Nov 18th) here in Virginia. It was a fun bowseason, and I had a great time. I always love the peace and quiet of bowseason, but now it's time to break out the long guns. I am glad I don't have to deal with the public land WMA's.... I hate seeing WMA's get so bad on opening day, it looks like a freakin' pumpkin patch out there! [:'(] No thanks... Been there, done that, and survived.

Butch A.

Yeah the best part of our hunting season is about over, the weekend warriors will be out in force in most parts of the country soon.

I think IA is the last state in the nation to not allow the guns during the rut, thank GOD!!!Our gun season opens up the 1st sat in dec and I stay indoors.

I am lucky enuff to have an awesome Archery Only WMA by my house, and when gun season opens it just pushes more deer onto our WMA.