The trophy bucks have offically began the rut this last week here in the preserve. There were several mature does that are getting close and they are not in need of company. The bucks seem to have all established themselves in the pecking order and the mature bucks have won the initial rights to begin the breeding. Everytime we were in stands this week there were plenty of bucks on the move and the activity seemed to be at its highest in the mid-morning and early evening. With the moon being so close to full this week they were moving all night and the sounds of antlers clashing could be heard about anytime day or night.
We are expecting cooler weather this coming week in NE Ohio but the hunters should have plenty of action to help keep them warm.
We had a great week at ORWA. Our first hunter was with us this week and we enjoyed a great three days. Everything at the new lodge worked well and the hunt came together in grand fashion. The weather in NE Ohio was the best that we have seen in several weeks with cool mornings and the temps in the low seventies thru the afternoon. We were able to see several nice bucks and the does and button bucks filled in the time between. The hunter was very experienced and after passing several mature trophy bucks made a great shot on a beautiful 165″ trophy with his bow. Both Sonya and myself enjoyed our time with Brian and have made a new friend and memories that will last a lifetime. Thanks Brian! Next year we’ll go for that 180″.
It has been an exciting several days again here at the preserve. We have been having high winds and showers for the past week and when it finally broke we had our first frost of the season. The cooler weather has the big bucks kicked into pre-rut now and the bucks are looking even bigger with their swollen necks. The sounds of antlers clashing can be heard from the lodge deck in the evenings and they are getting ready to get into full swing. The does are not quite ready yet but within a few weeks even that will change and the rut will be here again. We’re saving the rattling until later next week and hopefully the pecking order will have been established enough that the big trophy bucks will want to come and protect their territories.
Most of the apples have fallen and the acorns will soon be all on the ground. There are places in the woods that it looks like a newly planted lawn with marbles scattered everywhere. The turkey and the deer have turned everything over so many times but the trees were loaded with nuts and have kept ahead of them so far. I hope this isn’t a sign we’re in for a hard winter! (more…)