Your thoughts on Early Bow Season

[BBQ Bob]

My brother and I have bow hunted together for the past 3 years. Before that, I was just a gun hunter. He transformed me into a bow hunter and I can take or leave gun season now.

His philosophy on early bow season (first 3 weeks of October) is to use only doe pee and do not use any calls or rattles at all. He is very strict about this. He thinks it is very easy to spook deer by using scents or calls in the early season.

My philosophy is a little different. I believe you need to be a little vocal out there in the early season. Maybe a little doe bleat and a grunt every once in a while along with a touch of Estrus scent. Maybe mix a little with the doe pee. Maybe make a mock scrape.

What are your thoughts? Our rut is not in full force until the first week of Nov.

Thanks, BBQ Bob

[NYBuckhunter]

Keep the estrus scent out of there until just before the rut. It will spook deer, especially bucks. Some fawn bleats once in a while work well for me.

[Deerslayer1983]

early in the season i usually dont use any calls or scent until about the 3rd week in october. All tho i have used a fawn bleat and a light rattle on occasion. Sometimes they work other times they dont. Just a personal preference i guess

[Highr0llr]

A few years back I spent a season making as much noise as possible in Oct (grunts, rattling, bleats, scents), yea I was that guy... ha, and had JACK SQUAT for luck. But ya live and ya learn.
I agree with NYB! You've got the right idea except for the estrus scent.

[BBQ Bob]

Okay... I guess I'll give in to my brother I am leaving a 11 am to go up to my brother's place. The first day of archery in PA is tomorrow. We are hunting Saturday and Monday. My head is SPINNING, I am so excited.

BBQ Bob