Dirtroad Current Reports

Live from the field – 11/22/13

Posted on November 22, 2013 by dirtroaddispatch

We are back for another day of fun in the woods. I hiked down and got my stand off the tree I left it on last week to carry it over to the area that I have hunted the last several days. The new scrapes I found are still clean and active. The deer that moved through last night circled around trying to find me but I never got a clean look at it. I moved about 30 yards north to give myself a better look tonight. I still have a long shot at the nearest scrape but more importantly I opened up the woods beyond the scrape. I climbed about 25 feet up into this pine and have good coverage but great visibility. I am looking forward to the last 90 minutes tonight and hope we get some movement through the area with the multiple fronts that are coming through this weekend.

On a side note, the first split of duck season and the last split of dove season opens tomorrow. Our time gets even more divided now so watch the weather and get out on the water, in the field or up a tree!

Categories: Dirtroad Current Reports | Tags: Deer hunting, rub, scrape, tree stand | Leave a comment

Live from the field – 11/21/13

Posted on November 21, 2013 by dirtroaddispatch

We are back on our mission to hunt no less than every other day. Today’s hunt was an open hunt. There was no predetermined location, but sign put me on stand rather quickly.

Tracks that had been wiped clean on Tuesday were back today. It rained here over night so the woods are extremely quiet. Even the squirrels are moving without the nuisance of crunching leaves. I decided to check the active scrapes from the weekend. They were dead. Leaves covered them almost completely at this point with no fresh signs around them. I decided to move down the trail before backing out to a different location. A ways down the trail I found a new scrape in the center of the trail. This caught me off guard because it wasn’t here Tuesday. It was a good size scrape with a fresh rub right next to it. Not 25 yards away was another scrape but this one was massive. You could place a kids sled over this scrape and not cover it up. And there was another smaller one within 10 yards of this one. Instead of looking any further, I set up about 20 yards off the trail against a large pine.

I have stayed in place for almost 3 hours and just had a deer straight down wind blow at me. It couldn’t figure out exactly where I was so I am hoping it circles close enough for me to get a look. I can say, that isn’t a good sign for the cover scent products I am using though. Those details will be in a different post.

We will update later if there is any news on this hunt.

Categories: Dirtroad Current Reports | Tags: Deer hunting, rubs, Scrapes | Leave a comment

Live from the Field – 11/19/13

Posted on November 19, 2013 by dirtroaddispatch

Today I got a mid morning start. After my mistake on Sunday, I have gotten into stand and stayed put. The morning was frosty and sunny with very little breeze. I checked the scrapes when I first arrived and they are still active but not as much as last week. It warmed up quickly and dried out the woods. Bird watching seems to be the best thing going today though. I didn’t even see deer on the drive today. The wind is picking up and it is almost time for me to leave. I may check out a new area or two on my way out.

On a side note, I always clear the tracks that I cross on my way in and out. Today the area was covered in coyote tracks along with very fresh coyote scat. That isn’t good for our hunting in this area.

Categories: Dirtroad Current Reports | Tags: coyotes, Deer hunting, field reports | Leave a comment

After the Hunt – 11/17/13

Posted on November 17, 2013 by dirtroaddispatch

Today we couldn’t do a live post due to the rain. The last several days have been slow for us with still not seeing deer. Arriving early afternoon, it was already raining. Deer tracks that had been wiped clean on Friday in the parking area, were freshly pressed into the mud today. It was a good sign that maybe the luck is changing.

I headed over to the same location I sat on Friday. The rain started to come down harder. The scrape was still clean and found two more rubs in the area. I settled into the only spot that conceals us there. After two hours of getting poured on, I got restless. I also hadn’t scouted this area and wanted to see what the other side of the tree line looked like. I got up and headed down the tree line. The area was every bit as thick as it appeared. About 50 yards away was another scrape. Three solid scrapes within 75 yards of one another is the best signs that I had found all season.

I scouted for about another 30 minutes and found the area to be incredibly dense and it is going to be very difficult to hunt. I headed back to the original scrape and on the trail I heard a blow and looked up to see the white tail running out of the area. I regretted not staying in place and having a short shot at a deer, but the rain just got me antsy.

Having to leave a little early tonight, it was nice to see a deer track over top of the boot tracks. I wiped away all of the new tracks and thought as I left, good days are ahead…

Categories: Dirtroad Current Reports | Tags: Deer hunt, rainy hunt | Leave a comment

Live Report from the Field – 11/15/13

Posted on November 15, 2013 by dirtroaddispatch

Today I have decided to hunt a tougher area. It is very thick and has limited shooting lanes especially for a bow hunter. Why am I here? Well for one the deer haven’t been where I have been all season. I decided that being able to see for 50-100 yards whether in pines or hardwoods was overrated at this point in the season. Therefore, today I am hunting a thicket.

The good news is that there more active signs in here than most of other places I have hunted. In a short check of the area I have found 2 scrapes and a rub. Since I got a late start today I decided not to contaminate the area and set up in the thicket.

So far doves and songbirds are the only things I have seen but hopes are high as we head towards dark. Updates to follow of there is any new news.

Categories: Dirtroad Current Reports | Tags: Deer Season, rub, Scrapes | Leave a comment

Live Reports from the Field – 11/13/13

Posted on November 13, 2013 by dirtroaddispatch

We are trying something new starting today – Live Reports from the Field. Hopefully these reports will get you as excited as we are to get in the field…

A major cold front swept through the area last night creating a great day to be in the woods today. I was the fortunate person from DRD that didn’t have to work today and got to hunt. I got a late start and didn’t get in the woods until 9:30 am. On the way here, I did spot groups of 7 and 4 deer feeding in two different locations. That was a promising sign.

It has been a difficult deer season for us. Still not seeing a lot of deer while hunting but even more discouraging is the lack of deer that we are moving while get to and from our stands.

There has been much more positive feedback regarding this season but we haven’t seen a huge change in the northern zone this season.

Although the season has been slow for DRD and their friends, we still encourage everyone to put the time in the field. We may not be seeing much from the tree, but you certainly can’t see anything from the couch or office chair.

Even the squirrels have quieted at the moment, but I will be patient and see if anything will come through between now and dark. Updates to follow if they do…

Categories: Dirtroad Current Reports | Tags: cold weather, Deer hunting, field reports | Leave a comment

November 11, 2013

Posted on November 11, 2013 by dirtroaddispatch

Well, we know that we haven’t been updating DRD much lately and for that we apologize. It is the time of year to spend as many hours as possible in the field and that doesn’t leave a lot of time for updating the website. Over the next several days we will try to update our activities. Here are the highlights before you get the stories…

DRD traveled to the Badger State in October for grouse and woodcock hunting. Although the locals stated that the woodcock big flight wasn’t in yet, it was one of best years that we have experienced. Fantastic dog work made the experience even better. Grouse numbers were definitely down from prior years, but was still excellent.

Since returning, we have spent many days in the woods deer hunting. Our season has been very slow so far, but across the state feedback has been much better than previous years. Although we still believe that the state needs to adjust its plans for the future. Great strides were made this year with reduced doe days, coyote quota hunts, and state-wide open forum meetings; there is still more work to be done.

Please be sure to either attend one of the meetings that are being held currently across the state or electronically submit your thoughts to the state. Many of the comments we are hearing is that we wish Georgia would control their deer population much like Kentucky or Illinois. This can and should be achieved with a little effort from the outdoorsmen and women of Georgia reaching out to those that can make these changes.

Stay in the woods, good luck and be safe!!!

Categories: Dirtroad Current Reports | Tags: Deer Season, Grouse, Woodcock | Leave a comment

Georgia Deer Management Plan Meetings Announced!

Posted on October 29, 2013 by dirtroaddispatch

Attention All Georgia Deer Hunters:

Georgia Wildlife Resources Division announced today that they would be conducting 10 Open House style public meetings through early November. These meetings are an opportunity for all of us to discuss our feelings about seasons, limits, reporting methods, and other issues regarding deer seasons in Georgia. This is a rare chance for the outdoorsmen of Georgia. Please take time to attend one of the meetings in your area or please forward your thoughts to dirtroaddispatch@ymail.com and we will present them for you.

North Georgia Meeting Dates:

Dalton Tuesday November 5th 3 – 8 pm Dalton Convention Center

Gainesville Monday November 18th 3 – 8 pm Gainesville Civic Center

Marietta Wednesday November 13th 3 – 8 pm Cobb County Parks and Recreation

Greensboro Tuesday November 12th 2:45 – 7:45 pm Greene County Library

For more locations and dates in south Georgia, or more information please check www.gohuntgeorgia.com or email us at DRD.

*Information provided by www.gohuntgeorgia.com and Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources.

Categories: Dirtroad Current Reports | Tags: Deer limits, Deer season length, GA DNR, Georgia Deer Hunting, Open House Meetings | Leave a comment

Deer Season Under Way – Late October

Posted on October 26, 2013 by dirtroaddispatch

Deer Season is well under way and feedback across the state is much better than last season. There are good results being reported across the state. More sightings, good buck kills, and coyotes being eliminated are all being reported from the field.

The acorn crop is seriously reduced this year with the high rainfall totals from earlier this year. The common report is that if you find the acorns, you will find deer this year. Most of the deer we have been seeing are located directly under oaks that are producing. They are feeding throughout the day as well.

It is a great start to the season and hope that these results last all season long! Good luck and be safe out there!!!

Categories: Dirtroad Current Reports | Leave a comment

Time to get out and hunt Georgia!

Posted on October 17, 2013 by dirtroaddispatch

We are back from our bird hunting adventures in the Great North Woods, but those stories will need to hold off a few days. Have you looked at your calendar? It is that time of year again! It’s time to get out and hunt! Some new seasons are even open right now so there are plenty of opportunities this time of year.

Georgia started it’s first October Goose Season this year. With such a large resident flock of geese in Georgia, this October season offers us an opportunity to take some birds at a time of year that we normally can’t. There are very few migrants this time of year so this season can be challenging. It will be more about being in the right location than decoys and good calling. This extra season is a nice bonus for Georgia, so make sure that you get out and support it.

Also, Saturday marks opening day of Modern Firearms Deer Season. Be sure to check out the either sex days for your area as they have been reduced for most of the state this year. Georgia hunters have the benefit of one of the longest firearms season in the country. We have had our struggles the last few years with the deer population, but state biologists are confident that this is a good year for us. Saturday is a lot like Christmas Day for deer hunters. They wait all year and then can’t sleep the night before. It is an exciting time of year for outdoorsmen across the state.

Check your regs, pull out your orange, and get ready to head into the woods! Please share your stories with us at dirtroaddispatch@ymail.com. If your story is chosen as a post, you will win a $25 Bass Pro Shops gift card!!! Have a safe season and good luck to all this season!!!

Categories: Dirtroad Current Reports | Tags: Firearms Season, October Goose Season, Opening Day of Deer Season | Leave a comment