The Herald Bulletin

Evening Update

Sports

Discussion

October 28, 2009

Rick Bramwell: Rumors of deer's demise greatly exaggerated

Late last winter, spring and summer, I saw very few deer in south Madison County. I wondered what happened to all of the whitetails. Were that many harvested during the 2008 season? Apparently not.

I have been seeing deer just about every time I go hunting. As we get closer to the rut and especially on cool days, late morning and early afternoon activity has increased. Daytime temperatures below 55 degrees seem to be the key.

Temperatures the first week of November are forecast to be below normal. Those cool conditions coupled with does in estrus should make for some fantastic bow hunting.

Earlier this week I saw a buck exit standing corn. He seemed to be in a hurry as he disappeared into a small woods. Six minutes later a doe came busting out of the same piece of cover. It appeared that the buck’s amorous attention was a little early. Two evenings later, I saw the doe again, but not her pursuer.

The next morning, I saw a buck crossing a large picked bean field. He was walking at a fast pace like a fellow with a purpose. It was 9:30 a.m.

This next week is a must time to be in the woods. I’ve been purposefully staying out of one woods until the rut cranks up. Next week, I’ll slip in there.

For the last two years, I’ve hunted a 16-acre woods that is pretty open, flat and has no water nearby. A big buck visits, but seldom stays there. He has rubbed some big trees but has not made any scrapes. I saw him, at a distance, one evening last year. The last time in this woods, I was barked at and scolded. Not by the landowner and her dog, but a sassy fox squirrel.

Deer can be fun to watch and hunt, but they can also be dangerous. Nationwide, about 900 people lose their lives as the result of deer-vehicle accidents. Also, a good number of accidents occur when drivers swerve to miss a deer.

In Indiana, 50 percent of all deer-vehicle accidents occur October through December. A USA Today columnist once wrote that this is because hunters are chasing them 24/7. No, Homer. It is movement brought on by the breeding season.

The next three weeks are especially critical. A buck on the trail of a hot doe will pay little attention to anything else. If you are driving at night, keep your headlights on high beam. Look for the deer’s eyes in the light. Even if the deer is far ahead, slow down immediately. There could be more than one.

Woods, creek bottoms and curves are prime places to be surprised by deer. However, they can be anywhere. My son Brian saw a dead buck at the I-69/116th Street exit last week. Those deer crossing signs were put there for a reason.

If you hit a deer and can safely stop, do so. Do not approach a deer until you are sure it is dead. Call 911. The police have a list of people who will take road-killed deer. They will also dispatch wounded animals to end their suffering.

u u u

Congratulations to the Fall Creek Valley Conservation Club for being awarded “The American Trap Association 2009 Gun Club of the Year.” A membership to the club makes a wonderful Christmas gift.

Contact Rick Bramwell: rickbramwell@aol.com.

Text Only
Sports
  • DSC_1432.JPG Triumphant Tribe

    Seventeen years of frustration and disappointment for the Anderson Indians baseball team ended in a jubilant dog pile atop junior pitcher Curtis Wilson on Monday night at Pendleton Heights’ Field of Dreams.

    May 28, 2012 1 Photo

  • Argylls squeeze into crown

    Madison-Grant coach Ben Rodriguez liked his squeeze play so much that he called it again in the pivotal inning of the Class 2A, Sectional 39 championship game at Eastern High School on Monday night in Greentown.

    May 28, 2012

  • 0529 spts Lapel vs Wapahani_baseball 59a.jpg Bulldogs’ comeback falls just short

    Not even a heroic seventh-inning rally could save the Lapel baseball team in the Class 2A sectional title game at Frankton on Monday afternoon. The Bulldogs scored four runs in the seventh inning but still came up a run short as the Wapahani Raiders won the championship 9-8.

    May 28, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0413 sports Muller semifinal 038.jpg Tribe rallies past Pendleton Heights into final

    This is the stuff of legend.
    The kind of game that defines a rivalry.
    The kind of victory that breathes new life into a program.
    And the kind of defeat that won’t ever be forgotten.

    May 28, 2012 1 Photo

  • George Bremer-2.JPG George Bremer: In with Orton, out of Luck?

    There really is no offseason anymore in the National Football League.
    The Indianapolis Colts haven’t played a game since Jan. 1, but look at all the headlines they’ve generated since that date.

    May 28, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0528 NASCAR Charlotte Auto_Harl.jpg Kahne keeps Hendrick success rolling at Charlotte

    Kasey Kahne powered to victory in the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night, taking NASCAR's longest race for the third time for his first win with Hendrick Motorsports.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0528 Manu.jpg Spurs strike first in West finals, win 19th in row

    Manu Ginobili scored 26 points and the San Antonio Spurs won their 19th in a row to tie the NBA record for longest winning streak kept alive in the playoffs, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-98 to open the Western Conference finals on Sunday night.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • Indians White Sox Bas_Harl.jpg Konerko hits go-ahead HR, White Sox sweep Indians

    Paul Konerko got a big milestone home run and the White Sox got a sweep of the only team between them and the AL Central lead.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • Rockies Reds Baseball_Harl.jpg Reds outslug Rockies on record day for HRs

    Here's how easy it looked to hit home runs at Great American Ball Park on Sunday: Todd Frazier lost his grip on the bat during a swing. The ball wound up in the seats anyway.

     

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • Cubs Pirates Baseball_Harl.jpg Cubs lose 12th straight, 10-4 to Pirates

    The Chicago Cubs didn't come to close to ending their longest losing streak in more than 15 years. Pedro Alvarez, Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones homered, Erik Bedard pitched six shutout innings and the Pirates beat Chicago 10-4, sending the Cubs to their 12th consecutive loss.

     

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo