Time for deer hunters to be afield

If you are going to be in the woods deer hunting, now is the time. Probably the next two weekends are times that most deer hunters are waiting for. Signs of the rut starting are evident and most hunters have noticed a change in behavior of deer.

Simply put, the rut is the time whenmost does come into heat and bucks will be on the prowl to find receptive does. The breeding urge sometimes overcomes a buck’s natural wariness and caution.

The bucks typically undergo a hormonal change about this time and it will be evident by increased scrapes where they leave their calling card, and rubs on trees where they take out their aggression. Clusters or lines of scrapes, especially near prime cover, typically mark the home bedding areas of bucks.

Bucks often are found in bachelor groups earlier in the year but now they usually do not tolerate other bucks near them. There may bemore daytime activity or sightings of bucks, but this isn’t always evident.

In this area most does come into heat early in November,

usually around November 8 or 9. It may vary a couple days either way, but each year it is pretty close to those days. These changes are dependent on the amount of sunlight reaching the eyes of a deer. It does not have anything to do with cold weather.

When the does come into heat the bucks abandon scrapes and spend their time searching for does, what some people call the “chase mode.” The hunters that were disappointed earlier this season at only seeing does should hunt those areas now.

Wherever the does are, the bucks will eventually be there. Concentrate your hunting on pinch points, hogs backs, or wooded fence lines connecting blocks of timber.

This does not mean that the bucks will be abandoning all caution and running willy- nilly through the woods. The greatest activity will be in the hours around dawn and dusk. They are still primarily nocturnal and depending on the phase of the rut or other factors, you may actually see less buck activity near your location.

A lot of writers tend to over- analyze and make things seem even more complicated than they really are. Sometimes

I think that these articles complicate and cause more confusion than they help.

Basically the bucks are ready to breed before most does come into heat. Thus, you may see more buck activity during this “pre- rut” as they wander about seeking receptive does. When a buck finds a receptive doe, he will stay with her for the day or two. Just as the doe may be nocturnal or spend the day hiding in remote or thick cover, the buck will accompany her. You may wonder where all the bucks are during this period that some writers call the “lock- down period.”

During the peak of the rut most bucks will not bother making or freshening their scrapes. They are seeking or tending the does. As we mentioned earlier, hunt the areas where you have seen lots of doe activity; this is where the bucks will be. Bucks will often remain in cover near a field, downwind of where does are feeding.

Following this week or two when most does are bred, you may see more buck activity as they are still looking for does during the post- rut. Some writers claim to have analyzed this annual breeding cycle into seven stages. Personally, I think that many hunters who try to follow their stepby- step advice will end up with more frustra

tion than deer harvested. Some scientific studies have shown many of these assumptions to be false. Deer are not robots moving exactly alike, and each hunting area is unique in cover, habitat, and deer patterns of movement.

The main thing is there may be more activity, and if you are lucky you will see a buck following a doe or on a scent trail and not exhibiting the normal caution that bucks do. There are also typically more hunters afield at this time so it increases the chances of sighting.

Make sure to get out there, hunt the areas where does usually are found, and put in your time. Youmay want to use grunt or bleat calls but don’t overdo it. Good luck to everyone and let us know of any good results.

SHORT CASTS

Outdoor Activity Increases in 2020

Outdoor activity increases but so do problems in 2020. A lot more people were involved in outdoor activity the past six months, probably because of the pandemic. It was an activity that was encouraged because it was safer outdoors and theoretically you could enjoy various activities while maintaining social distancing.

There were many indicators or measurements of increased outdoor activity including an increase in li

cense sales, crowds at trailheads, parking lots or other outdoor facilities, or the booming sales of sorting equipment including bicycles, kayaks, or other gear.

Normally the increased interest and usage of outdoor resources would be considered a good thing. But there is the problem of overcrowding, over- use and wear on resources, especially on hiking trails or recreation areas in the high peaks. This is not a new problem and the DEC has been trying to deal with it by encouraging alternate hiking areas, education, and restricting parking.

So far, these measures have had limited effect and the effects of the pandemic have greatly impacted the area. In addition the increased crowds have brought serious problems of littering, abuse of resources and problems of theft.

What will be the effect on hunting with increased participants without the stellar efforts of hunter safety instructors? The DEC has made the mandatory hunter safety classes available online. Will those who take the required classes complete them honestly and with sincere attention to the principles and ideas stressed?

With large numbers afield, and perhaps a significant percentage illprepared, will we see a drop in safety, ethics, and practices of conservation? It is too early to tell

if there will be problems like there are with the new wave of hikers.

There is no easy solution to all of these problems. Increased education and enforcement are certainly needed but there is probably a realistic limit to those two solutions.

Schwerd, Simpson Win 2020NY’S Pass It On Award

For the first time ever, the New York State Outdoor Writers Association has named two people to earn the organization’s coveted “Pass It On” Award for 2020.

Kenyon Simpson of Bolton Landing and Bill Schwerd of Middle Grove were both named to receive the recognition this year because it is difficult to mention one person without the other – they have been working together and volunteering for over 50 years.

Both have worked together as Hunter Safety Instructors and promoted the 4- H Shooting Sports Program for Youth. They have also held clinics for other instructors and have been designated Master Instructors. Each year one of them holds a major banquet as a fund- raiser for the 4- H program to fund and promote youth shooting sports and Hunter Education projects. Both have received numerous awards for their efforts and long service as hunter

safety instructors. It was high time to recognize these two stalwarts of the outdoors who pass things on every chance they get.

This annual award honors the active member of NYSOWA who has done the most to “pass on” our outdoor heritage. NYSOWA has recognized the fact that it is vital to pass on our outdoor heritage, including the understanding of the role of conservation and an interest in our outdoor sports. This can be done in several ways such as creating awareness through writing, helping organizations that promote these activities, or directly being involved in mentoring and educating.

AE Adventures

Scott Locorini, owner of AE Adventures, reports that this summer they were able to operate adventures safely . with kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and camping while following state mandated COVID protocol. They avoided crowds and operated on trails and waters without seeing another soul. The winter season will feature many custom trips in addition to Kayaking with Manatees and Cedar Key, FL ( fishing, wildlife, and endless kayaking. Email ae4adventures@ gmail. com to reserve your space. You will be asked for a deposit when the trip and lodging are confirmed.