New to Va

[Tech Rally]

Moved to Va this summer and am looking forward to my first bow season down here. Took a scout yesterday and found a good intersection with some old rubs from years gone by. Back up north we would normally start to see a few tree rubs this time of year but I couldn't find any down here. When does the rubbing start in central Va.? When does the rut start and what is the peak week for the rut? Thanks in advance.

[powder]

I'm giving you info from here in MD. Where I think that the most of the rubbing and scraping starts end of Oct. and the main part of the rut starts in first of Nov.

[Old-Grady]

Welcome to VA, the rub's start here in Oct as the month goes on you will see more and more rub's & scapes. The rut comes in here during the first two weeks of Nov as a norm some where around the first full moon.

[Bullbuster]

Welcome. What part of VA ya live?

[Tech Rally]

Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like the whole marking schedule is the same as in Michigan. Bullbuster I'm in Farmville.

[Ricky]

Here in eastern WV I start to see rubs anywhere from the 2nd or 3rd week of October. Scrapes appear around the 3rd to 4th week in October. Rut is kicking in the 1st and 2nd weeks of November and is just roaring the 3rd week.

[rattler]

I agree...Mid oct. you start seeing "good sign"...full on rut can vary by a week or so, but first 2-3 weeks in nov. is the norm...where in MI...I spent 10 LOOOONG years on the sunrise side...Alpena, Oscoda, etc...lots of doe...lots of tags...lots of meat...lol...

[Tech Rally]

Rattler, I spent the last 21 years in the middle of the thumb, Lapeer. The deer I've seen so far down here are pretty small but decent hieght yet thin atler growth. I guess big heavy deer do alot better in the Zero degree temps of Michigan than they do in the 100 degree summer heat.

[MeOff]

Welcome to Va. You will soon see that the heat does not affect the racks. I hunt the ISLE OF WIGHT area (SUFFOLK) Va. Our problem over the last 5 or so years is lack of farm crop as most farmers have been growing cotton. Last year and this year we finally have more peanuts, soy bean and corn. We also stopped killing the young bucks and here are the results. The 8 I blew the brow tine off of has a 000 stuck in the rack (2nd pictures);I'd say that's pretty thick! The bodies here compared to michigan are smaller but I think if you find the right area that isn't pressured to hard(GOOD LUCK). My son goes to school at Longwood in Farmville There are some nice deer there that we have seen driving him to and from.

The two tangled in grapevines were found dead, one choked to death and the other broke his neck during the rut. One was a large 10 pointer, the other a good sized 8.

[racn35]

Cant help ya on the fury critters up there but I know alot about the scales and feathered ones !! Lots of catfish at Sandy River and some of the best smallmouth fishing of the whole east coast is Briery Creek. I am going duck and goose hunting up there in a few weeks-

Briery creek:
VDGIF > Fishing > Lakes > Briery Creek Lake (http://www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=21)

Sandy river:
VDGIF > Fishing > Lakes > Sandy River Reservoir (http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=114)

I KNOW THAT DONT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION BUT IT WILL GIVE YOU AN INSIGHT FOR SPRING TIME WHEN DEER SEASON IS OVER.....

[rattler]

Tech Rally, lots of small racks in MI as well...Big Deer, Small Hat...lol...where I was hunting there were way to many does...you could get tags for $1 and take 8 per season...but only 1 buck(spikes 4" or better)...there are some BIG deer in VA...The Dismal was a hot spot for years as they would hit the farms around it...I don't even know if you can still hunt it anymore...but alot of the farms are gone or grow no feed crops...you used to be able to go back country on the blue ridge pkwy. with the rangers help, but I guess they stopped that to...My uncle ownes 20+ acres in blackwater(va beach) and loves to show me pics of big racked bucks in his back yard...but he WILL NOT let anyone hunt...:poke1: ...I hope you find a great place and get your 1'st VA trophy...Good Luck

[Tech Rally]

meoff, Now that's what I'm talkn bout!!!! :clap: Lots of mass and hieght there.

Racn, ya Briery creek is right down the road. Looking forward to sitting out watchin a spread of deeks. Unfortunately I sold my duck boat before moving down. I kept my 18ftr so I could troll for them stripers out in the bay this fall.