Carolina guys... report here
 

Put over 20 hrs in the stand this weekend, took fri and monday off, did both morning and night hunts for whitetail, I saw NOTHING! I guess it was the kiss of death shooting a doe on my first hunt out 3 days into bow season. Was nice and cold this weekend, 45-65 deg most hunts, was windy some times. Hunted some trails in Locust/ Albermarle area, lots of tracks just no deer. Hunted my spots around Charlotte that Ive baited, nothing going on there. Anyone have luck this cool weekend? :violin:

Seen no deer all bow season, hunt in Charlotte area too. Every year I see at least one every time out. What changed?

No idea, My friend shot and didnt recover a 8pt in charlotte area, another friend that hunts close to my property, said he saw deer both nights as he was climbing down from the stand... saw their eyes glowin from his head lamp. I think they will show more when the leaves drop... I really believe they are more nocturnal that anything right now :(

Been hunting Halifax county every weekend since the season came in. I have seen only 4 deer total. Thats about 12 different sits for 4 deer. Last year I was seeing deer on every hunt and passing deer. I hunt mostly in the woods and the acorns have just started to drop so it has not been an acorn issue. tracks are everywhere. Why are the deer nocturnal this early with no real pressure in the woods yet? Other hunters in the county are saying the same thing.

Well I have been a lot. I hunt in Richmond Co, Montgomery co, and Moore Co. So far I have been real lucky seeing a total of 45 deer. Morning hunts and evening hunts. All doe except for 2 buck. One spike and one really nice 8 pt.

I hunt in Richland county. Got a big doe Sat, and shot a 8pt last night. Friend shot a 12 pt. tues night. The bucks here on moving. Both bucks were on their feet and shot around 6:45pm. The rut at least here is right around the corner. My 8pt had a massive neck, and cuts and puntures all over his neck and ears from fighing.

Saw a dead 4pt on the side of the interstate here in charlotte so they must be chasing does to some extent. Also my friend up in Stanley co, shot a 6pt I think on a morning hunt. Most of my trail camera does looks scratched up down their sides... I dont know whats going on with that either...

Saw alot of does sunday, they were moving good in the woods from 7:30-10, got busted... didnt get a shot on any... was 44 deg in the AM, sunny, left at 11 about 65deg by then.. 3/4 moon

I got to pull the string on a doe 3 weeks ago in Union, SC. Unfortunately I missed when she jumped. She was at about 30 yds. and had just come out of a creek bed into the edge of a field I was hunting the side of.

I like to hunt the public lands around Sumter National Forest. There is some really nice land if you are willing to put in the time to scout and hike into where most people won't. I mostly blind hunt since I'm a big fella.

I went hunting again this pas Saturday and didn't see a thing except 2 dogs that ran through the field peeing on everything they could. I figured after they went through the day was over. Still a better day sitting in the woods and seeing nothing than sitting in the office working.

Good luck guys!

Saw some good does friday before the cold front hit, couldnt let an arrow fly, had branches in the way, came in on some blind calling- grunts and bleats, leaves were crunchin good they stormed right past me, things are turnin on around here. One doe was 130 or so, wish I had shot :(

I'll check in, even though I have nothing to report. I'm in the Charlotte area and I'm looking to get into hunting. Sorry to hear it's been a slow year for everyone so far.

Charlotte Fella's - - I have multiple places to hunt in NC but live in Kannapolis and was looking for a place to bowhunt close to the house. Let me know if any of you have a lease or want a hunting partner. Been hunting for 15 plus and it really consumes me in the fall. Hope to hear back from some of you.

JD

Things are starting to get fired up here in both Wilkes and Ashe Counties. The last two weeks have been real good for alot of folks. Saw several good bucks in the 130 range but no shots. Rub lines and scrape lines are starting to show up with each passing day. The proof is also in the pudding so to speak as the trailcams are showing the big boys now. Muzzleloader starting this weekend should be interesting up this way. Good luck to all and God Bless...

Yea Im out in stanley/ carrabus co now, I rattled in several deer wed-fri, had lots of does come in also from short loud rattle squences, (like a quick fight that ended).. Most of the deer Im seeing are migrating along bedding areas/ thick brush, that attach to acorn plots/ tall mature spaced out trees, however Im not sure how kicked in the rut is. I found a good scrape out there, and had a 4pt come in that was an older deer... He tore up a tree and went sulking past me as I grunted at him... Not quite the responce I would have thought... He didnt seem peaked out.. Ide say another week its in full swing. Saw 8 deer yesterday before the rain... (no shots :( I only archery hunt) Lots of muzzle loaders goin off every night so must be good...

Where are you hunting in Cabarrus county?

Near the county line/ locust area. Actually saw two nice bucks this morning around 8-9 am. One was a bruiser and darted off... Get out there tonight if your in either county they are moving good with this wind.

I hunt in Franklin County I shot a giant cow horn about 2 weeks ago. I went yesterday saw 15 head and not an antler in the bunch all moving between 9 and 10 AM. So I have seen plenty of scrapes and rubs but no chasing....

Spent alot of time in the woods this past week, only saw two deer both solo's one doe and a spike buck late morning 9-10 am. Think they are moving around under the full moon... Nothings been coming to rattling or other blind calling

Got a 6pt thanksgiving day, anyone else been out? Deer have been moving good, even saw 9 the other day in the afternoon crossing a road...

Where are you located louie? I hunt in rural Rowan County near Cleveland. I saw 1 four point buck and couple of does the Friday after Thanksgiving and have seen absolutely nothing since. I dropped about 120lbs of corn last week and by the looks of it, nothing has touched it either.

I take that back. Went out yesterday morning and this morning. Finally had 3 does pay me a visit. The size on all 3 weren't anything to get excited about, but it definitely lifted my spirits a lot just to see some activity.

Any of you guys hunt near Southport? I am going to visit my Father in Law over the holidays and he says things have not been so good down there. He only has pics of deer at night time. No daylight pics at all on the camera. Let me know what is going on down there if you can. Is the 2nd rut timing going to hit during the holidays?

Phillip, I hunt a small plot of land near a pond in charlotte (30 acres) and its a funnel to the interstate... hunting there this year has been weak, I see the same "resident deer" but no bucks. However halloween and thanksgiving this year out in albermarle/ locust area were intense.. most the people I talk to right now that hunt are saying that deer havent been visiting their food plots.. All of the deer Ive seen have been in hardwood acorn trees mixed red oak and white oaks. Find a thick patch that still has acorns under the leaves and you might see some better deer. Also been hunting near rub lines on cedar trees amist the acorn plots.. good luck

Thanks for report Louie. At this point its slim pickins pretty much everywhere, especially this late in the race. I'll probably stay put in the spot I have for now and pray hard for anything just to get a little meat in the freezer and start thinking and planning for next season.