ericmcgehee

Since I just got my bow, i have never hunted this early before. What are your thoughts on calling this early? I had been just sitting in my ground blind, but I cracked my horns together a couple days ago, and heard a deer about 10 min later come running in to me. It was behind my blind so I could not see what it was. It snorted, and by the time I turned around and looked out the window, all I saw was the tail as it ran off. I rattled again about 10 to 15 min. later, and heard it snort again. That was the last I heard or saw of it.

So should I call or not. Also where is the best place to put a ground blind this time of year? I put it facing where 3 trails intersected, and the deer came in behind me. I have tried the edge of fields, but think the full moon has kept them in the woods later.

Bocajnala

Right now I try to hunt over the feeding patterns, calling works this early, as you saw. But be careful not to over do it, you can spook the deer and make them call shy. As far as blind set-up. That is hard to say. I sit edge's of fields where several trails come in. Or just hunt well used trails. The deer are moving a lot to feed right now, and that is how I plan my hunt. Good Luck!

countrymudder

rattling this early is fine..it has proven successful for me before..just dont overdue it..the purpose thisearly is to make the bucks around you curious..like the other post said..stick to feeding patterns right now..as those bucks are preparing for the rut

bcward

I agree with what the others are saying. Concentrate on feeding patterns this time of year the bucks are still in their bachelor groups. This time of year it is not uncommon to see a whole herd of bucks feeding together all at one place.I assume since you are rattling you want a buck. If you stick to feeding patterns right now you will enhance your chances. However they gotta get to where they feed somehow so finding their routes to and from where they feed can also be very successfull. Good Luck!

kodiakhuntmaster

I agree. Food is the main thing on a deer's mind right now. Find a food source... Acorns, hickory nuts, persimmons or muskedines. Hunt over that, and the deer will be there. It may take them a few days, but they will be there.