After opening day it only gets harder

[G-man]

I usually take my best bucks mid opening week.. opening day is usually slow

[Nomad]

For me personally OD is fun but i can’t recall the last time i shot a buck on one, although i realize many do . At noon today a slammer was walking towards me at 60 yards till he caught on froze behind a tree and ran .

it’s big AG fields here I saw a total of one hunter the last three days on a neighboring farm . So pressure is not like some areas .

Edited November 20, 2023 by Nomad

[jperch]

I think it depends on how much the deer are pressured but generally deer seem to move less during daylight hours as the season goes on.  I believe the DEC keeps data on this issue.  As I recall a high percentage of the take occurs on opening weekend.

[Fab]

Depends on area and pressure 

 

We had our camp since 83.  We only have taken one buck after the 3D day    dad started hunting in 59.   He got one once on the first Saturday     Prior to that one on the 3D day and 2 on the second day.  All the rest we takin on the opener  

It’s possible but very difficult in alot of places 

 

[Doebuck1234]

I got to thinking about my opening day button buck.i think that is the first opening day deer I've gotten,ever!all of my other gun deer have been around Thanksgiving time or hunted day after day then all of a sudden...right place right time.latest I've gotten one is in Dec,last week of regular season

[Nomad]

I’m counting on the sixth day of the season …

[Stubborn1vt]

I'm in Vermont, so our rifle season is only 16 days.  I have shot almost half of my bucks on opening day.  After that there doesn't seem to be a pattern. 

One thing I do know is that nearly all the really big bucks I have seen or gotten pictures of are on Thanksgiving or after.  I attribute this to less hunter pressure and bucks travelling long distance in search of the last hot does.

[JJBat150]

52 minutes ago, Nomad said:

I’m counting on the sixth day of the season …

Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thanksgiving....

 

I see what you did there    

[mowin]

I think it gets harder after opening day because I don't spend as much time in the woods as I should. But I still manage to get something on the ground. 

[Phantom]

22 hours ago, Fab said:

Depends on area and pressure 

 

We had our camp since 83.  We only have taken one buck after the 3D day    dad started hunting in 59.   He got one once on the first Saturday     Prior to that one on the 3D day and 2 on the second day.  All the rest we takin on the opener  

It’s possible but very difficult in alot of places 

 

Interesting what zone ? 

[The_Real_TCIII]

The Live thread is empirical evidence that it gets harder lol

[E J]

I don't pressure my property hard and the neighbors don't either but my cameras have proven to me the deer know what's up.

[Moog5050]

I am not sure go much harder it could get.  Now in fairness I usually have a tag or two filled by now.  We shall see!