I've been out a few times in the last four weeks. For the life of me, I have not been able to pattern these deer when compared to last year. The only real differences between this year and last are an abundant soybean crop nearby and no frost in September. As far as dates line up, the moon phases from last year to this year are all backwards. So I have to figure if things are two weeks ahead of schedule or two weeks late. I'm leaning towards late.
I've tried moving a few cameras around but still haven't had that much luck. I brought my Wildview up to the hill to check on a buck I had seen from the road. So I've really only got two cameras functioning in the search. I think the strategy for the time being is to locate rubs and scrapes and try and monitor them. I've neglected parts of the refuge that make me really curious now because its likely that the bucks have picked up on the fact that they remain undisturbed areas.
I've got a few hunches to the west, a few to the north, and still a few more to the far northeast. The bucks have started making scrapes, but I'm doubtful that they are anything more than territorial. Unless, of course, I believe that the 'October Rut' holds any validity. If I buy into this, it would suggest that only the best of the best of the most healthy does are able to be bred in October (or that they enter their estrous a month early). If I believe this to be true, then that would mean a few things: there would be fierce competition for mating rights for these few does (or none at all - depending on how you look at it). The bucks should still be in bachelor groups, unless the best of the best of the dominant bucks split off from the group because they know there'll be no competition for those few does. Bottom line is I need to find the bachelor groups.
Go west young man.
