Category: PLOSKI: Outdoor Adventures

PLOSKI: See Any Deer?

A group of local hunters met after their day in the woods.

This week in Outdoor Adventures, I am going to talk about the two week deer season ending.

During the past two weeks I have been out hunting several times. However, although I spent a lot of time in the woods, I have had minimal deer sightings. I did see one small half rack and 6 does while hunting, so I can’t say I didn’t see anything… but I must admit, I was disappointed with the turnout of deer for this season.

I have been taking my son for the mentored youth program without much success. Throughout the season, I have spoken with several hunters, all of which seem to agree on the same sad fact…Deer population is down. Most hunters are not having any luck with bagging a buck or a doe.

I know one group that drove all day Saturday with 11 guys and only shot one doe. Another group with 15 hunters drove a long way and shot 4 does with no bucks seen.

One tip is to hunt the thickest cover you can find. Deer seem to stay in the cover when pressured.

If you have a story or picture, email it to me at bploski@kittanningpaper.com

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PLOSKI: Bear Season Recap

Pennsylvania Bear Season was Monday through Wednesday of this week. I have been hunted bear in Pennsylvania for twenty years and never saw a bear in season. I know several people that shot one and told me they hunted many years without much success. A lot of hunters travel to the mountains to get away and hunt. I have been traveling to the Ridgeway area. I enjoy going up to camp and hanging out with my uncle and friends. To me, bear hunting is about having a good time with friends and family and getting a bear is a bonus.

One thing to look for while scouting is a food source and very thick cover. Acorns are excellent source of food and finding a corn field that has been recently harvested would be a good area to hunt.

Armstrong County has an abundance of bear living right here. My friend was spotting last night and saw a sow with 2 cubs in a corn field. Most hunters drive bear by lining up in a row and walking towards people who are sitting on stand waiting for a bear to run past them. I like to sit or still hunt sneaking around the mtn. laurel or heavy brush.

If you have a story or picture, email it to me at bploski@kittanningpaper.com

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PLOSKI: The Deer Are on the Move!

This Week in Outdoor Adventures, I am going to talk about the end to the early archery season.

The deer are on the move! This past week, I have been sitting every morning with a lot of smaller bucks walking around. I have witnessed a few bucks fighting near my stand. Many of my friends are starting to see a lot of deer movement in the areas they are hunting. I talked to a couple of hunters who had shot their buck in the last couple of days and saw bucks chasing doe.

Many hunters enjoy all the rutting activity in the woods. It gives them a chance at a monster buck that otherwise might be nocturnal only moving at night.

While during the rut I like to use doe estrous scents to help bring bucks into bow range. I also like to grunt, bleat. Rattle horns and snort wheeze to imitate a buck.

I have also been seeing many deer hit along the local roads the past few days. When you are driving, be careful and observant.

If you have a story or picture, email it to me at bploski@kittanningpaper.com

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