What an exciting week it is! The Fall Equinox just happened, and with the first cold front of the season, we’re seeing some remarkable changes in deer behavior. While summer kept them mostly active at night or just before sunset, the cooler temperatures are prompting them to venture out during the day and visit scrapes more often. Plus, archery season kicks off in Ohio this weekend and moves to Pennsylvania the next!
First Break From The Heat
Morning temperatures have pleasantly begun to drop into the 40s this week! I was so excited to capture several small bucks on my SpyPoint Flex-M camera near the swamp scrape. On the morning of September 22nd, I spotted one of my target bucks—an incredible 8-point! At around 3.5 years old, he looks like he could score in the mid-120s. I’m really hoping he sticks to this trail that leads to my food plots!
Rope Scrapes Heat Up
I’ve been thrilled to see young bucks actively working the scrapes this week! The cooler temperatures have really energized them, especially between 9 and 11 AM. It’s fascinating to watch this particular young buck using his preorbital gland to mark the BuckRope, attracting several others eager to check it out afterward. It’s just a matter of time before the older bucks join the action at these scrapes too. Exciting times ahead in the deer activity!
BuckVine Scrape
I’m really impressed with the video quality of the new SpyPoint Flex-M2. The 15-second video clips are clear and vibrant, which helps me identify bucks more easily. Around 5:30 PM on the 22nd, a young buck entered the Domain Kill Plot and started to work on the BuckVine. The buck made contact with the leaves on the vine a few times, allowing the scent to reach his preorbital gland. The BuckVine is specifically set up to entice deer to stop broadside at the scrape. I have a ladder stand positioned directly across from the scrape, so if the right buck shows up, I will have a 25-yard shot. Is anyone else getting excited for archery season?
Where Is Your Daddy?
Sometimes a video catches your attention for unexpected reasons. In this particular video, I was initially worried because I thought a buck had its antler stuck in my BuckRope. However, that wasn’t the case! The young buck actually had its antler caught in the BuckRope, and when another young buck approached, it pulled it free. It’s 9:11 a.m., and these young bucks are hanging out in the food plot, checking out scrapes, and asserting their dominance over each other!
Enjoying the Cool Temperatures
During the summer, when it was hot, most of the big bucks didn’t move until almost sunset. However, this week, with temperatures in the low 60s, the big bucks were active earlier and headed to the bean field. The SpyPoint Flex Dark cameras provide exceptional video quality. Take a look at the bachelor group of bucks in the bean field. You’ll notice that they all keep their distance from one another. In a few more weeks, their behavior and body language will change.
If you missed last week’s article, here is the link to read about my “Hit List Bucks!” If you are interested in any of the BuckStik products, check out their website and use code: Litf10 for 10% off your order. You can thank me later!
