I am in deer camp in Kansas. The home owner is also a deer search dog owner. While here for 2.5 days, there have been about 15 search requests. ALL of them have been hunters using Rage broadheads. I have gone on two searches at night with him and have given up on both due to lack of sign. The dog is a blue lacy that has coyote bred in. Beautiful dog that looks like a mutt Weimaraner.
Necropsy report from yesterday’s deer. To your point stuff happens with a moving target. My neck entry wound ended up going thru both sides of the opposite front quarter. No way that happens with a mechanical.
Garrymny, I saw a ton of 1.5 year olds dead on the side of the road on the I-90 from rt. 77 exit to Buffalo during the second and third weeks in October as I traveled to pheasant country. I too have not seen much chasing, scraping and rubbing activity this year either, however, it has been REALLY warm. I think you will see a stark change in the coming days. I have also noticed that the deer are really keying on acorns. I have watched deer feeding for hours under acorn trees on neighboring property, 10' from corn fields. Find the acorns, you find the hub of breeding activity. The buck I got last night came into a grunt call.
There is a discipline needed with expandables. If you watch deer shows on outdoor channel, the outdoor hosts supported by rage, only shoot deer turned broadside. Taking an angled shot you risk glancing off a rib. If attempting a quartering away shot, make sure the arrow hits behind the last rib. I have used both expandable and fixed. I have evolved back to fixed over a decade ago. If I lived out in Kansas or Nebraska taking shots in the wind at distance, I would still be using expandables. Where I hunt is typically near a deer bedroom and shots are angled and less than 30 yards.
I am going to need some positive vibes sent my way. I sent an arrow tonight. At the same time the arrow left the bow, the buck that was busy tasting golden rod heads for doe in heat smells, leaned his head back to taste a head to his side placing his neck over his vitals. I believe the arrow went thru his throat patch. First blood looks great and the arrow is still in him. Not sure of hit, I backed out. No threat of rain right now. Going back in two hours.
Anyone want to start a class action lawsuit against Buckbomb? Their poorly designed pee valve tops give me buckbomb finger when they lock down in use and then pop off when you try to pull the tab back up hosing the user with a lovely mist.
Not saying they can’t try. Bucks are ready as soon as velvet drops. Unless does can carry viable sperm for two weeks, conception does not happen this week. Not my research but decades of backdating fetuses. Now I will listen to a buck “locking down” on a doe group and bedding close by so he can keep tabs and do some checking come low light. In the end who cares, the time is now. Get in a tree!
If you are not seeing does it is because they are in hiding from being chased. State agencies have back dated fetuses and breeding typically does not take place this week. Rutting behavior and breeding are two separate things that only come together for a few days.