September Bow Hunting Reports

[PhilCVG]

I think the title says it all ... Tomorrow gets a lot of us rolling. Stay dry, have fun, and good luck!

To keep the chances of arguments, disagreements, etc. to a minimum, lets keep the locations general, especially when dealing with public land. County you hunted in should be good enough?

[MattG]

This isnt a report & no one needs to listen to me, but I just want to add that I think county is definitely close enough....as we've all seen what the net can do to our fishing spots when people post specifics....keeping spots vague/general would be wisest, zone may be even too specific for public land..probably best to share that info by email. Good luck on the opener whenever that is wherever u may be hunting. I used to always hunt opening day of bow in NJ..just don't have the time these days. Got my biggest bow buck ever on opening day of bow in NJ back in 2000 in burlington. The early season may well be the best time to hunt the big ones. Go get em!

[PhilCVG]

I was initially going to say zone or county, but I'd imagine guys that hunt 55 ( I'm one of'em ) or 65 might have a problem with that. So lets go with county.

[njbowhunter]

Was out this morning nothing but squirrels but was nice to be in the woods again. Will be back out tonight will post if I see anything other then the chiggers. Camden county

[Doeboy21]

yea i was out this morning and saw the same thing, hopefully the afternoon will be better,anyone hunting sayreville or zone 50

[ub1243]

walked into a deer going in this morning.
wind changed on me all morning.
saw turkeys fly down at day break.
sat until 11, bumped a bedded deer going out.
ran into the turkeys behind my truck.

shower, nap, out by 3

[keppy382]

Went to Rascial Flatts concert last night and slept in , will be heading out this afternoon. Ub will call ya after dark.

[salt-hay]

Headed out early , wind was swirling .Had 3 does pretty close..........all very small, so let them walk. Hopefully do better Mon. morn.

[grtwhthunter/fisherman]

four doe as i was decending tree lol ha ha had a fawn almost run into me got her on cell phone video pretty neat. chiggers are all dry and waitin for the afternoon swelter hunt :huh:

[Archer101]

PA's early season starts this coming Sat. My son & I will be out there before daybreak! Hopefully I have some good news to post up here with vid/pics to put up on here!!!

["String Music"]

Had 2 fawns and 2 nice does walk in...heard some more movement and an 8 pter appeared 8 yards from my stand....stuck his head up to check the wind and literally looked right at me...I was very well covered and he did not notice me...He took a long piss and slowly walked away...He came back about 10 minutes later and was with the 2 fawns and 2 nice does...They were very skittish..could of been because I was "sweating like a hooker in church" as I walked in...The big doe stood broadside for me....I came to full draw and followed her left front leg up to her shoulder and placed my sight right behind the shoulder...I just put my finger on the trigger release when one of the other deer jumped...My doe turned quickly taking me off her shoulder...She turned all the way around and walked off my pile...2 seconds later they all ran off following a couple of snorts...I was busted somehow...great cover...must of been my sweaty head....all scent blocked out but they knew something wasn't right...Oh well...gonna get after them tonight again!:fight: So far deer 1 and me 0

[Offshore Custom Tackle]

Day: Sat morning
What did I see: 10 doe, 5 bucks
Location: Tree Stand
Conditions: Drizzle and warm
Catch: 1 miss on a doe.
Hot Lure: Corn, Apples

Saw all kinds of deer this morning, waited for the right shot on my doe (earn a buck). Missed her clean as she made a move as I squeezed the release.

Be back out at 3.

[Treude1]

Salem County, just got ok to hunt here so only put stand out Monday, saw 2 doe in shooting range but id not have good enough sight lines, later had 4 pointer same place coming same direction, ok with stand placement need to cut some shooting lanes.

[hobo]

Saw nice tall rack 6 & 4-does just out of range/ pretty hot-it is supposed to cool down middle of week

[bighunter301]

Hot and damp this morning son had one snort and run off at 645 nothing the rest of the day quit at 1 pm to hot to hunt.... Came home to broken van and wife screaming should of stayed in the woods.....Hunting Burlington County... Just picked up 5ptr on camera the bucks are movin out of their bachelor groups guys.....Might try my Gloucester county spot this week if we get cool weather....

[PhilCVG]

Deer 1, me 0 ...

Sat out the morning, still working 6 days and today was my day off. I needed the sleep.

Went out this afternoon, boy was it hot. Sweated like I was running a marathon on my 1/4 or so walk in and continued to sweat while setting up and scaling tree via climber. Finally settled in about 330pm. Nothing until 615 when I had 3 does come to about 40 or 50 yards. The biggest of the bunch caught a whiff of my sweaty stench or my Thermacell and one blow later they were cantering the other way. I quickly got down so as to not blow any more deer out of there, I've been avoiding going near this spot all summer so I don't need to ruin it on day one.

Not sure what they smelled. The wind was light and variable, ranging from ok to perfect for my setup. I am setup on a ridge overlooking a creek bottom, so I'm wondering if the Thermacell or my smell was being carried down the hill by the cooling thermals this afternoon, even given the wind. Not sure, but something gave me up.

I have to say though, it was AWESOME to be back on stand.

[Offshore Custom Tackle]

Hunted tonight and saw 7 bucks and 5 does. all within 25 yards but no real good shots. let them walk.

Total opening day.

12 Bucks
15 Doe

1 Miss

[bluecollar$]

Got my doe out of the way this morning,about a 70 lber.Got my little blue card:D Deer was covered with chiggers. Pushed a lot of deer going in.Hate hunting in the morning,might be the last morning until the rut..

Now its time to target Mr. big. As soon as the wind cooperates.

["String Music"]

Sweated my a$$ off like everybody else...Got in the stand around 4:10 p.m. and the bugs were tearing me up...I had to put my head net on even though it was hot as hell...At 5:20p.m. I texted my wife to ask her how my son was doing...As I shut my phone I looked to the right and there stood at Very Respectable 9 pter! He stood there for about 5 minutes with his nose to the air...The wind was blowing right at him...I was sure he would wind me and jet!..He didn't...He made his way into my pile and ate broadside for about 15 minutes....(Earn a Buck Zone) He finished up and walked away like he owned the woods...Around 6:00 p.m. I had a shooter doe walk in and stood broadside at 22 yards...I shot right over her shoulder...Could not believe it! She ran off not knowing what really happened...To put salt on the would as I was lowering my Mathews Switchback from my stand...The damn knot on my clip came undone and I watched as my bow fell 23' to the ground! Gotta shoot it 2morrow to make sure evrything is ok! Saw an 8 pter in the morning and a 9 pter in the evening....Not bad...and this aint my honey hole...hoping to bag a doe here before going to my good stand!:thup:

[ub1243]

wind swirling all afternoon.
had a 100" 7pt and a 110" 8 pt at 10 yards tonight. they worked a trail that is 10yards in from the field edge. nothing came out into the 40ac bean field tonight, strange.
very little movement today, for me. i need to get closer to the water source if it stays hot like this.

washed my two pair of pants, two shirts, hat and socks. they were camo sweat sponges. they are hanging in the woods out back.

we need a cold front bad.

[ACEarcher]

MAN!! You guys are making me itch to get into the stand here in Pa. Funny, I hear of a few of you guys mention chiggers on the deer. I've only ever seen chiggers a couple of times on deer and never in mass amounts. A couple of the deer from Bradford County Pa that I would get would have one or two on them, but never a lot. Even found on or two on deer in 2A. I've never found any on deer here in 5C in Bucks County. I have heard it suxs when you get bit by those little buggers.

[meatonastick]

Hit the woods at 4pm, spooked one on he way in. Got instand had one doe come into me about 45 min later. Shot at about 15 yds and missed. I was shakin pretty good. Got down and out in a jiffy. Dont think she knew I was there. She didnt run she walked after I Left. Maybe next time

[BuckHammer43]

I scouted a new piece of property Friday before the rain. I found 22 sets of tracks and coyote scat and tracks. One of the tracks was made by a yearling buck just starting on a 'Y'. He was still standing in them at 25 yards. It took him 2 minutes to notice me in the trail behind him. Eventually, he turned back into the wind and fed away from me.

It would have been a chip shot with bow or M/L. Kind of neat.

[Doeboy21]

I am happy to say i got my doe yesterday it was my first deer in NJ i have been hunting NJ hard for the past two years and could never close the deal but finally got it done can't wait to shot a good buck . will post pics later

[grtwhthunter/fisherman]

well achieved my buck go ahead but man it was brutal to say the least...:confused: soaked goin in got in tree 630 way late but just to nasty anyway saw 5 doe and got perfect 15yrd shot deer bolted in meanesy stuff (BRIAR):oANYWAY we got it and it was like bloating almost immediatly. needless to say it was a long night. but loins were yummy and monday its on!!!!!
PS NOT HUNT IN THAT SH-- HEAT AGAIN LOST 10 LBS I THINK DRAGGIN :(

[QuintonZ29]

Hunted in the am on my property....of course the weather man was wrong and it was a nice morning with no rain..I'm sure people stayed home because of that guy....Saw 6 deer,5 bucks 1 doe.....couldnt get the kill on tape so I didnt shoot.....Went to another property and killed my does on tape and then I filmed as my buddy shot and missed a 150" 9 pointer hes been after....sickening....Be back out in the heat on monday...good news if you believe what the weather liar says...a cool down on tues....

Hey ACE i'll give you a jar of my chiggers...they are on steroids...take em home and watch em grow in your woods like sea monkeys......or put them in someone you cant stands woods....hey am I on to something?? I can see it now...selling chiggers on E bay to put in your neighbors propert....nasty trick..ha ha...

[stephenf]

Got my doe in the am ,saw close to a dozen does come out of the corn feild and feed right past me . no bucks ,....I was behund the camera for a buddy and we saw lots of deer ,8 or 9 does and a six a nd a spike , No shooters ,..My other buddies got a doe on video in the am and a sweet 10 point in the afternoon . We also had 2 more go out and get 3 nice bucks on video all 8 points and shot the biggest maybe 115 to 120 inch deer . I will be hunting for my spot on thursday .

["String Music"]

Got my doe out of the way this morning! Going to my honey hole 2nite...I will be hunting my honey hole for the first time this year! Dont like the heavy wind...But I cant kill a buck sitting on the couch...If I dont get a good one than I will hit it in the morning...gonna drop down into the 50's 2nite!:)

[PhilCVG]

Nothing for me tonight ... SLOW.

["String Music"]

Slow for me too....Could not believe it...I hit my honey hole and had 2 seperate does walk in and just before getting to the pile they both turned around and walked away! I seen deer and heard them but they just didn't want to come in...I think the full moon has them moving and eating at night...gonna get out and try again on Wednesday morning...gonna be a cool morning:thup:

[SilentViolent18]

Hunted 530am to 1030, good to be in stand ,nice morning. Had 8 big 20lb plus toms about 7am hang around and make sure there was not a spec of corn to be found , <switched to carrots on sun baiting> 2 small does and 2 scrawny fawns walked in while turks exiting . I passed just not ready to let it rip yet. going to try to be patient for a change .

[PhilCVG]

Slow again tonight.

[mudmarlin70]

You guys are killin me!! I wont get out until Friday...But I checked a spot I busted my butt on over the summer with a clover plot and WOW! The over-under for friday afternoon is...four thirty pm if there's a west wind!!

[MEAT-WAGON]

went out and got my camera last night plenty of meat in the area.....but no horns that i could see :huh:

[MEAT-WAGON]

heres some pics

[PhilCVG]

Not much going on again. Infact, almost a carbon copy of last night ... I need to make a change of some sort.

[DoubleDown]

PhilCVG- have u checked out the moon phase as to best times to hunt?seems they might be getting a late start moving to food.:huh:

[PhilCVG]

Doubledown,

My GPS hunting/fishing guide says best times the last few days have been 615am to 715am and from 130pm to 330pm depending on the day. I work 630am til 300pm, so those times don't work for me lol

My change today was I didn't go out :)

[njbowhunter]

Seen my first deer tonight. Had a big doe with 3 fawns out of range. Nice to see the triplets. Also had a 3 pointer 5 yrds broadside laughing at me under the stand. Gotta love that earn a buck.

[DeDXT]

It has been hard down here is sussex county. Deer arent really moving and it has been hard to get a nice doe within range. in the past week i have seen 28 deer, 13 bucks 10 does and 5 yearlings. Nothing in shooting range except for 2 1.5 year old does so they felt the sting of my arrow. my room mate have taken 5 deer in the past 18days. 1 was an oops spike. so he is now quality deer hnting.

[mudmarlin70]

Driving around tonight, there were quite a few up and about which havent been seen too much until now. Cooler weather maybe.....looked promising. If I can download a photo from a car camera, I'll try and post. MATURE ol' boy with about a 3" drop tine or split toward the end of his right beam travelling with a younger eight or nine point.

[mudmarlin70]

see if this works.

87

88

[PhilCVG]

Decent night tonight. My brother and I saw 10 does and a small 6. Moved into the thick stuff and he had action pretty much all afternoon/evening ( 430pm til dark ). Little bit slower for me, but I was closer to the edges.

[mudmarlin70]

My doe is done. Took a little longer than I thought, I had motorcycles cut through right after the first deer showed. Not one of the dominant does I hoped for, but she's mature and she counts. Game on.

[Eastern Shore Slayer]

left work 12 on friday made the 3 hr drive down here to cambridge
showered and in the stand on the edge of a bean field by 4
farmer was cuttin hay on the other end of the property so hopes were low
saw a few deer 500yrds away on the other side of the field
skeeters got me when the wind layed down just before dark(forgot my thermacell)
passed on this morning
will be out on the other property tonight

[njbowhunter]

Last night Had a spike sniffing my tree could have spit on him. Turkeys everywhere again. Still waiting on that doe. Never thought I would see the day where I would rather see some does then bucks. Will be out again tonight.

[DoubleDown]

friday evening report- had to pass an 8 pointer looking for my doe.he walked right below my stand.:( had 2 does walk by a half hour before dark.missed a 30 yard shot.grazed a branch that sent my arrow straight into a tree base.shattered the arrow.does ran and came right back to check out what happened and while i reached around for another arrow i knocked the quiver off the branch i had it hanging on. no arrow and they walked by about 10 yards from me.:huh:
nice to see them so curious and not all spooked.love early season with not alot of hunting pressure.

[ACEarcher]

Well, I got to my stand a little late, but over all still a good morning in the woods. I had the alarm clock set at quarter to 5am. So I thought that would be ample time to make a pot of coffee, let the dogs out, and take my time getting dressed and hiking up the hill. Well, I remember waking up at quarter to 5 and I also remember shutting the alarms off at quarter till 5. Yeah and so goes that one. Next time I wake up it's 6am http://www.pabucks.com/deer-hunting-forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif !!!!!!!!! First thing I say to myself " I have 19mins to get dressed drive to the spot and climb in the tree. While I'm rushing I'm just thining to myself am I really going to shoot that 1st doe that comes walking by? Probably not. Why don't I just take my time and soak this all up. And so I do. While I'm getting ready to walk the trail I see my good friend sitting on his deck at 6:30am drinking a cup of coffee. So I end up talking to him for a while. Finally make it up into the stand. Right before I get about 50yards away a whole heard goes running. It's was just nice to see some deer. Later on at 8:28 a mother and her 2 fawns go walking by. I'm just sitting 20ft up watching and admiring. I got out about 9:30 and slowly walked back. I get home to find a note on my door. Another buddy of mine got a nice doe right at daybrake. He heard I was finally done college and home for the time being. We'll be doing some butchering later today.

Overall it was a great morning. I never really wanted to shoot an antlerless just yet, but it was great to get that feeling back again.

[ub1243]

doe down.
late afternoon, prime time.
the 6 bucks came to the staging area just inside of the woods, butting heads and chasing each other.
then a lone doe from a different trail popped into the bean field.
she was quartering away at 25 yards.
i lined up and touched the trigger. i watched the arrow the whole way.
just before it hit her she turned her head towards her back leg.
arrow went right through her neck and under her chest.
rolled her right over.

now it's on.

[Eastern Shore Slayer]

Sat out satuday morning and got a late start saturday night
in the woods about 430
bout 35yrds from my stand i dang near step on a Sika doe bedded down, had 2 others with her
get in the stand and about 630 i can hear a deer coming down the trail , then i hear the worst thing you can hear, several loud stomps and then she sounded the alarm
right about the end of legal shooting i see a deer out front, looks like a big sika doe, she turns munches on some corn, bout 25yrds broadside
missed clean
bad shot that i probably shouldnt have took as i could barely see through my peep

[BarnesX.308]

Got a doe Saturday morning. 5D.

[esox1]

hunted 5C on saturday, me and a friend saw 17 deer, mostly doe but a large 6 point came out around 6:30pm, this deer owned the woods, he seemed so mad that i was in "his" woods, snorted at me-it sounded like a truck then walked off.

i hit one doe, bad shot, hit a bone/flesh-no blood-never found it or the arrow

[Joe D.]

Whacked a doe in 5d on Saturday morning around 7:00am. One in the freezer.....

["String Music"]

I don't know whats going on...I had a sweet spot where I had 1105 pics in a week...Deer on pile all the time...I have hunted this spot 2 mornings and 2 evening hunts and have not had a deer on the pile in shooting light! I went in this morning and got busted as usual...But they always come back in again later...I try to get in tree pretty early just for that reason...IF I do get busted it will give it time for the ruckus to calm down and allow the deer to get comfortable again...I saw nothing...Climbed down and unhooked the bow from my haul line and there was a Doe about 30 yards behind me...Of course it snorted and ran off...Pretty frustrated right now...At first it was the moon...Now I dont know if it is the high amount of acorns dropping in my neck of the woods!:huh: But as always I will give it a break and get after them again in a couple of days!:fight:

[ub1243]

better rest that stand or take a climber and back off that pile 100 yards.

[PhilCVG]

Well me slow opening week and a half continues. Seems I'm a day light and dollar short no matter what move I make. I saw nothing tonight.

Lil' bro saw a different small six and two does.

[SNJBOWHUNTER]

Been watching a big ten eat at the bait pile but no doe yet. I hate this state. I can see only allowing one buck in reg season, but it should not matter when you kill it. Going out tonight and praying for a doe.

[SNJBOWHUNTER]

:mad: I saw five does, four babbies and a high rack six last night. No shots! Had one doe standing on the dirt road as I walked to my stand. As I turned the corner she was 25 yards. By the time I nocked an arrow and clipped on my release she walked in the woods. At least I did not spook her. Sure would have like to put an arrow in her. Cant wait till Oct 4. No does required!!!!!

[PhilCVG]

Well, the first one is in the freezer. My brother put an arrow through one last night. Now it is on to bigger and better things for him :)

I saw nothing again last night. Both of us took the night off tonight to play some golf.

[MattG]

Congrats Steve! You'll get yours Phil, and if it isn't until 10/4 maybe it will be a monster buck :thup:

[PhilCVG]

Matt,

The good news for me is he is hunting in my spots :)

I've been wandering around trying new sets, none of which have paid off yet but you never know. I knew he would be seeing deer cause I sat in the same spot last year and saw deer most of the time. This year, we are setup even better, so we expected good results. Only problem is all last season I never saw anything really worth shooting. This year however, he has already seen one "decent" 6 or 7 pointer but he hadn't yet shot his doe.

The other good news is, a real nice deer has been spotted twice around the area. Perhaps P&Y size. We haven't seen him yet, but it is nice to know such a creature may be around.

[MattG]

Sounds good Phil, if you dont get on them on their feeding patterns in the early season, then permit bow is the time in NJ. The bucks are probably just starting to break up now, they'll be seeking by the end of October and Permit bow will be rut time so if you're seeing does, you'll be in the right spot for that time when u never know what might show. Hopefully that P&Y buck will show himself during the daylight hours then. If not, mature bucks are usually homebodies, depends how old he is, but if he's been cited more than once, that's likely his core area. Bucks 2.5-4.5 will usually range more than those older, when they get beyond that age their core areas tend to shrink, so if you can find a mature bucks bedroom (I know, easier said then done, but look for clusters of big rubs and actual beds in likely spots) hunt it sparingly and get there before he does in the am, you'll have a got shot at him. Good luck...and let me knows what's happenin with Sr.

[mudmarlin70]

Phil.....STOCKTON

[PhilCVG]

lol ... I'm still wishing that piece of woods was about 20 mins closer Mudmarlin. I'm not sure I still have access to it but I went back and forth all last season wondering what to do with it.

[mudmarlin70]

It looked god from what I saw Phil. I know with the price of gas and all it's not feasible for every day, but if you've got access, I would suggest checking it out ven if just for a couple of hunts in the prerut.

I thought the same thing years ago when I got permission near there. I drove about forty five minutes and it's been worth it over the years. I'm closer to there now. Havent been to my piece there other than scouting, but the property owner said there's a couple I will want to check out. Got my eye on something else so far this season, but i've seen a shooter there almost every year regardless of my intentions elsewhere.

[urban assault]

hey guys looking to lease a good tract of land does any no of any

[esox1]

sat afternoon, 5C, one 6point and four does, no shots, i was on the ground, the does walked right behind me within 10-15 yards

[DoubleDown]

turkey,turkey and more turkey for me this evening.

[LUCKY7]

PA 5c Public Land 2pm-dark. I went to a new area which I never hunted before. Walked around a while and found a nice little spot and picked a tree. Saw nothing but squirrels until about 6pm and saw one doe out of range, and 6:30 a little 6pt popped up out of nowhere within 7 yards. Neither deer knew I was there and both headed in the same direction. Looking forward to the next hunt!

[Searching]

Hunted 5-d last night and the deer started feeding early. First time this year with the intent to take one. It's nice to get them when they don't have a clue, ended with a nice fat doe . Hopefully the intruders stay out and the deer move like last night all season! Tried a new butcher and I'm very happy with the cuts and price, even if I had to pick up the same night at 11:15 no holding space, thanks ed for fitting me in. GOOD START!!!!

[PhilCVG]

Couple days to get caught up on ...

Friday night I hunted alone in the drizzle and saw 3 or 4 deer out of range. It was pretty miserable. Brother didn't see anything ( about time ).

I was waiting for lil brother to register and give Saturday nights report but he is asleep at the wheel it seems. I saw 3 or 4 deer again out of range, but he arrowed his second buck ever ( both with bow and arrow ) and it was his biggest. It was the decent 6 ( very close to a 7 but you can't hang a ring on the point ) pointer that he had been seen. Nothing huge but as far as we can tell about the deer we have around the places we are hunting, he was ok to shoot. We both agreed that we passed this deer up last year in the same exact spot when he was a 4 pointer.

I know this is worthless without pics but I'll try to get some of the cape tomorrow. We didn't have a camera with us and with as warm as it was we just wanted to get him taken care of as soon as possible.

Last night, I saw nada and he shot at and missed a doe. Arrow deflected.

[esox1]

5C last night 5pm till legal time, one doe smelled me and ran, then as i was walking to my truck i saw 4 does

[Racker]

only if it was Saturday yesterday! Sitting in stand about 6pm when I'm looking off to my right looking at something that looks like a deer face! My mind playing tricks on me of course when i hear a twig snap behind me on the left. Turn my head to see a nice 8 pointer. he comes to the feeder and eats for 5 minutes then steps away from feeder and watches squirrels eat and stomps his front hoof several times, squirrel pissed him off, and walks away nice and slow! Couldn't shoot it with the bow until Saturday as I'm in a doe only zone until 10/4! In comes a doe and a fawn, Doe behind me left side! Fawn on feeder! I draw back at the doe behind me and think i have a clear shot! And wammo and the doe stands there! The fawn never leaves the feeder. The doe has no idea what was going on! I said to myself how the hell could I miss the deer! Then i see in front of me a broken twig off a tree. Both the doe and fawn walk off 5 minutes later as the doe never presented another broadside shot that i felt good about!

[DV1]

TTT

Time to get motivated to get ready for the season, it's coming up. Reading through these should help with that. :)