This hot summer has anglers staying home. The humidity is the highest we have encountered in years. Reading the registry 101 degrees has shattered a 1921 high of 96. Even though it has not been the highest temperatures on record, long-range forecasters call for temperatures to continue to run above historical records. 

More fishermen have changed their course of fishing. They are seeking out more waters that have shady and long shorelines. The fish have been laying low. The average angler has reported very few limits of bass this season. Water levels are low due to the lack of rain. 

Bait and tackle shops report sales are way down. Some are even skipping their next delivery of live bait. Large distributors are seeing this across the board. Boat rentals have taken the hit also. Some are closing early on these hot days. 

Safety has become an issue. Sunscreen and plenty of drinking water is a necessity. Heat exhaustion happens in these conditions. Some fishermen have called marinas to be rescued. You should plan to go fishing before 11:00 a.m. and then after 4:00 p.m. The danger zone is 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Even in these changing times, record bass have been caught. A whopping 12.35-pound largemouth bass was caught in upstate NY.  This record fish was caught in Cayuga Lake on July 11. This is one of our New York State finger lakes. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, says it will replace the 11.4 pound largemouth caught in 1987 on Buckhorn Lake in Otsego County. 

Many Fishing Tournaments fish Cayuga Lake. In the 2024 Bassmaster Magazine 100 Best Bass Lakes, this finger Lake Ranks No. 8 for the Northeast Region of the country. The record Largemouth was released back in the Cayuga Lake unharmed.

Scouting Time for Whitetail Deer

Now is the time to Scout out the whitetail deer before archery season opens. You need to get out there and watch over grazing fields and food plots from a distance. Stay 500-600 yards away and use a spotting scope. 

You don’t want to be seen, heard or smelled out by the deer. Check the wind direction. Your scent is different to a deer. It makes them very cautious of their surroundings. They can pick up on you quite fast. You don’t want to spook them. 

You also need to plan a way to get out of the woods at dusk, so you don’t move the deer. 

Don’t rely on trail cams, do your observing yourself. Trail cams are good, but they are limited also. They only give you a small glimpse. If you use a trail cam, you must check it if it’s not wireless. 

Don’t use the same path through the woods each time to your camera. Use a scentless spray on your boots, to prevent a deer from following your pattern and scent so you don’t move the deer out of the area. Placement of a trail cam, you should set them up by water sources and food sources. All the doe family’s find their way to these resources. They also return to them throughout the year. 

The buck will follow the doe even if they are not in rut. When the rut is on the buck will definitely follow the does. The food sources you should set up near are alfalfa, white oak for acorns, soybean, fields of clover and apple trees.  

You may see many bucks together before the season. They come to grazing fields for food. Of course, they are looking for the doe, but they must eat also. It’s a great time to analyze the antlers. 

When the bucks start to shed their velvet, the bucks start to separate. They are very territorial. A dominant buck will fight for the doe, but some will hang around. The more dominant ones will stay. You’re figuring out where the buck’s general areas are. 

You can see the buck repeat to visit the same spot but then you may not see him for a week or so. They will repeat their own behavior. One may come out early afternoon or evening, then the next week you’ll only see them in the evenings or late nights. Bucks have preferred areas within the home range that they use consistently, but not daily. It is reported that bucks don’t bed down in the same place. They will go to places that they are safe and comfortable. 

They may feed on soybean one evening then, travel for alfalfa and stay for two evenings. Then they may switch to fallen acorns.

That’s why scouting is a great way to learn the deer’s behavior and what’s in your area.  You’ll see deer in that area and new ones that may come and go. It gives you a good insight to wait for the big one. When you know this information, it helps you determine where to place your hunting stand. 

There is nothing like the fresh air and a good hike through the woods. Get out there and see the big picture.