Penobscot Valley Hunting Report: November 27, 2007

Well, if you only have been able to hunt on Saturdays this year, then it has been a tough deer-hunting season! Stormy or windy conditions have prevailed on all four weekends in the Penobscot Region this season making hunting difficult and testing the motivation to deer hunt at all. On the other hand, if you have had chances to hunt during the weekdays there have been some very good days to hunt with lighter winds and cooler temperatures.

As expected, week three showed a change in the composition of the harvest from large numbers of yearling bucks to fewer, larger more mature bucks. Yes, there’s still a good proportion of younger bucks being taken, but the peak of the rut is upon us making the mature bucks more active and hopefully more vulnerable.

In most years, the Thanksgiving week hunt falls slightly after the peak of the rut, but this year, due to the early start to the season, bucks should still be in hot pursuit of does. During my own hunting activities I have noticed that old scrapes have been freshened and that some new scrapes have appeared, indicating that the rut is still high gear!

If your one of those lucky hunters that has already tagged out there’s still plenty of other hunting opportunities available this season. In my travels I have observed hundreds of Canada geese utilizing cornfields. I have also noticed some sizeable flocks of Mallards and Black ducks using agricultural areas. Don’t forget about ruffed grouse either, the season extends to December 31st and I have seen plenty while sitting on my deer stand. It may be a little premature, but it should be a fantastic year for spring turkey season. Good nesting and brood rearing weather this spring has bolstered turkey poultry production and has produced large fall flocks throughout the Region!