We have had ideal weather for the archery rut this year when many, many bucks typically fall. Next week looks to be pretty darn good rut and hunting weather as well. I would not be surprised to see the archery buck harvest up significantly this year due to two weeks of ideal weather during a period when hunters historically take many deer. 

Our camp is primarily rifle hunting folks. Come rifle season, the usual complaints of not seeing many bucks during rifle season circle the campfire at night even though I know there are plenty out there on the property. Every year I try to get some turned onto archery during the rut and beg and plead for somebody to come down and hunt with rut with me telling them they can use one of my crossbows. I guess they would rather complain then come hunt, see deer, and maybe shoot one?

I personally find archery to be more enjoyable but to each there own on this. Also using a recurve this year has just made the challenge more thrilling but some don't want a challenge either.

I saw the biggest live buck I’ve ever laid eyes on yesterday at 70 yards while it was crossing our creek. A rifle would have been handy — lol.

Our area seems to be strange this year. 2 scrapes when we usually find 10+ and only 1 rub. Havnt seen any chasing or any usual signs. Some bucks seem to be hanging around mature does but no little ones pushing them around. Weve seen 9 different bucks and 6 total doe in 12 total hunts.

I seen a stud 10pt tending a doe this am on my way to work. He had her on lock. Wouldn't let her cross the road I watched em for about 5 min

Go to a local Ct cemetery once in a while before dark to watch the deer.
Tonight about 4/15 on 1/3/25 a big 10 chased a doe right past the truck.
 

I never had a scrape on our property during the seasons until this week — 3 different ones opened on 3 different days.

F

r3g3
Go to a local Ct cemetery once in a while before dark to watch the deer.
Tonight about 4/15 on 1/3/25 a big 10 chased a doe right past the truck.
 

A friend of mine was looking to fill a doe tag in his back yard (backs up to some big woods) yesterday evening, when a good buck came out harassing some young does.  He grunted it to 30 yards and, and missed the shot.  lol.
 
In one of the spots we hunt with a very high deer concentration (WMU 2B), in I got this trail cam pic on Oct. 24th, 2023 which would suggest this doe was like bred in late February or March:
 
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