Estrous scent Oct. 15 in NoVA?
 

Well, I haven't seen squat this season so far. Very little deer movement from what I can see and what I read on this forum from others in VA. I think some deer may have drowned in all this rain we've been having.

I am thinking about using some estrous scent tomorrow in the morning.

From what I can tell it is not uncommon for the rut to start around Oct 22 in VA. So it would only be seven days early if I used it tomorrow. Maybe I can trick a buck or two. I know it can scare off other does, but I'm hunting primarily for antlers anyway so I'm not concerned about that.

Thoughts?

Give it a try. Things havent been all that busy so you might as well see if you can get something going. Let us know if it works.

I'm just getting the truck loaded up. Had a BBQ tonight with some friends, waking up in 3.5 hours to make the 1.5 hour drive to my club.

With the rain and wind so heavy and so little deer movement, I'm going to give it a try. Wind gusts up to 32 mph predicted, but I'm going anyway. Nothing to lose at this point, I'm counting on next weekend, the 22nd, to really get things going. Wish me luck.

With the predicted high winds I'm going to work on getting a few chores done around the house so I can be free for some better days coming up. Im kicking myself for not going out this morning though it looks great outside. Good luck hope you connect!

I should've stayed home. Saw one doe that looked like she was running from something.

My early season has really sucked, to say the least. Last year I saw deer every single time I hunted except for once; this year I've been basically skunked three times. I am really hoping for an early rut.

I've seen deer every time I go out. It's just that said deer aren't anywhere close to being positioned for a good shot.

not sure where you live in VA, however i do know that fauquire county had a bad run of hemorrhagic fever that has been doing some work on the deer population. Thats been going on since spring time and wont be totally eradicated until the first frost. I live in fairfax county where you cant swing a dead cat without hitting a deer, but my brother lives in fauquire and we have seen numerous dead deer who otherwise look healthy but are just laying there dead.

I have been hunting phelps in fauquier county and haven't seen much either. I'm getting my quantico licensce this week, so hopefully it wiull be better there.