Free: Contests & Raffles.
Go after it.
With the end of the season so near, I'd wait for nothing. Go right back where you saw that buck. With any luck you may even find his big brother.
I think you're going to score. -Be still more than you move - be a predator- watch and listen. -Find that area in your spot that has shooting lanes and hang out and watch. -Next time, stay in the shadows and work slowly around the opening rather than crossing the opening.Looking forward to pics!
If it were a big old mature buck you were after, I'd say you made it a lot harder on yourself. Since it's not, I think you're fine, but it may depend on how often the deer are exposed to humans in the woods. Does and really young bucks generally don't totally freak out if they have had a lot of contact with non-hunting humans. Deer smell people scent, (and coyote, cat, bear) all the time. They still have to eat, and as long as they don't feel like they're being hunted specifically, they just keep on keeping on. If they fail to show up and the conditions are still somewhat similar, then you probably need to reconsider and decide for yourself. There are several studies that show deer will avoid an area that has been used by tree stand hunters several days in a row, so your skipping a few days between hunts should benefit you.I think, from your description of the spike encounter, you were fine to hunt that the next day as well. Sounds like you just made him nervous and he moved off. I bet he didn't go more than 30 -40 yards, and probably not even that far. You may have been able to quietly pursue him after a few minutes of waiting for him to settle down.In the future, if you're going to go traipse around your spot, you might as well take the time to clear some shooting lanes so that next time you're there, you have a better chance at having a shot. Just wear gloves and don't overdo it. Stay down wind, well hidden, and 25 - 30 yards back (or more) from your target area if you're really comfortable with that distance. Try to have a couple of good shooting lanes, and try to limit your time in the area. I still like mid-day and late afternoon. (I hate getting up early and out the door in cold wet weather). Perhaps sit on the spot either from a half hour or more before first light until mid-morning, or 2:30 PM till last light. Take a good flashlight and flag your trail going in so that you can stay until the last minute of legal hunting, if you're not in way too deep. Keep your head on a swivel and slowly keep peering around you as you wait. Minimal movements.Resist the urge to break from your plan and head off to see what is going on in the next draw. This one item alone may make your next hunt your last of the season, and fill your freezer. Still hunting with a bow is tough. If you've got a workable plan, stick with it. Good luck.
No worries. Sounds like a pretty good year. Write down all your observations so you can re-visit them next year and make note of what you think you did right and what you should have tried. There are no perfect answers to the deer in the woods hunting question. You will improve over time. At least, you will consider other options based on your past failures. That is the learning process. Sitting on my couch, I wonder what made your doe run. Three or four answers: Coyote, buck, you, or any other noise that freaked out that doe. Always assume there is a second doe close by if you see a single. I've blown a lot of opportunities, but if I feel I'm well hidden and not smelled by the deer, I'm going to sit tight and watch what happens. If you're going to pursue, do it with extreme thought, preparation, and trepidation. I've got lots of noisy rain gear. I never wear it when I'm hunting - you might as well wear a bell on your back. Look for wool layering at Goodwill or similar spots that you can wear under "waterproof" or less-than-water-proof (but quiet) camo outerwear. I'd love to buy some Sitka rain/hunting outerwear, but the kids have to go to college.... Get rid of the noise.
Lets see this dead head you found!
Quote from: lewy on December 20, 2015, 08:20:23 AMLets see this dead head you found!Trying to post it but it's not letting me. I'll figure it out and put a picture up here tonight or tomorrow
It looks like he shed those antlers before he perished. I'd go pick them up
