First, there was a good run on big bucks in early October during the opening weeks of archery season, which biologists always expect when deer hunters first climb stands in deer habitat.
Then, the reports of trophy racks slowed and, eventually, ended.
Expected? Yes, but not simply because the big bucks disappeared after human intrusion into their home ranges. Instead, biologist Chad Dacus, Mississippi’s deer program coordinator, pointed at many factors.
“We actually had some decent conditions early in October, and we had a good run on big bucks,” Dacus said. “Then the weather changed, it got hot again and it slowed down in the middle of the month.
“If that wasn’t bad enough, we had the full moon cycle to deal with in late October. You add all that together and throw in an abundant food supply and deer activity slowed. We had a lull and we quit hearing about big bucks, not only not being taken but also not being seen. It was tough.”
But…
Dacus said conditions have greatly improved, and so have reports for deer hunters in most areas of the state.
“We have started hearing more and more reports of increased deer activity, and people are seeing the big bucks again,” he said. “They may not be taking them but they are seeing them and that’s a good sign with gun season approaching. I think what happened was that we moved out of that full moon cycle and it coincided with more seasonal conditions.
“In fact, we had our first good frost (Thursday) this week and that is so important. That will have an impact on the natural browse, and start knocking it back. Anytime there is a reduction in one food source that’s a good thing for hunters because deer have to move to find different food sources.”
That frost puts hunters ahead of last season. The first frost last fall didn’t hit central Mississippi until mid December.
While this weekend’s forecast is for warm, sunny conditions, the forecast calls for a drastic change early next week that could actually make Saturday and Sunday productive.
“We’ve got a front coming in on Monday and by Tuesday we’re going to see some of the most consistent cooler temperatures we’ve seen,” said Kim Reeves of Jackson, who hunts in Madison County. “It may be hot this weekend, but I still think we will see more deer movement. Anytime you have a big front approaching, wildlife know it and they tend to move.
“The timing is pretty good because our club is hoping to take out a lot of does this weekend. In addition to parents taking children for the second weekend of the youth season, we will have a lot of the parents carrying the primitive guns to take antlerless deer.”
Mississippi’s statewide gun season on deer opens Nov. 17, but there are plenty of opportunities this weekend. It is the peak weekend of the two-week youth season, which allows hunters aged 15 and under to use regular firearms and take deer of either-sex. It is also the only weekend of the early “doe only” primitive weapon season for all hunters.
Plus archery season remains open for either-sex bucks, and that is what has Reeves’ attention.
“I’ll be taking my bow and looking for the big buck I was on early in October,” Reeves said. “I was close to him three times the first week, but never got a good shot and never drew. I haven’t seen him in two or three weeks but I’ve got some night trail cam shots so I know he’s still there in that same area.”
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