i'd be happy just to see one.
Connecticut
Contributors to this thread:
Just got back from my third day of still hunting. Thanks to bigbuckbob I understand what too look for. Of course on Sunday i left my bow at home and only used my eyes. Between Saturday, Sunday and today, i have 20 hours in the woods and have yet to see a deer. I did find done good sign in the same area i had my stand stolen from last year. I have one day let before i have to go bank to work on Wednesday. Think I'll bring my climber there UN the morning and see what happens.- Duncan
Just got back from my third day of still hunting. Thanks to bigbuckbob I understand what too look for. Of course on Sunday i left my bow at home and only used my eyes. Between Saturday, Sunday and today, i have 20 hours in the woods and have yet to see a deer. I did find done good sign in the same area i had my stand stolen from last year. I have one day let before i have to go bank to work on Wednesday. Think I'll bring my climber there UN the morning and see what happens.- Duncan
Just got back from my third day of still hunting. Thanks to bigbuckbob I understand what too look for. Of course on Sunday i left my bow at home and only used my eyes. Between Saturday, Sunday and today, i have 20 hours in the woods and have yet to see a deer. I did find done good sign in the same area i had my stand stolen from last year. I have one day let before i have to go bank to work on Wednesday. Think I'll bring my climber there UN the morning and see what happens.- Duncan
Duncan,
you're more than welcome for the help, I enjoy sharing what little I know.
I'll take you to my tree the next time we go out. I know this goes against all of the unwritten rules and laws of hunting, but you're a young guy who wants to get a deer, and I'm an old guy who only will shoot big, ol' bucks.
I would go out this Saturday but it's my 39th wedding anniversary, and the last time I was late for our night out it was due to hunting, so I may be polish, but I learned that lesson real quick!
I'll call you about a day we can go.
its a little hard for a new guy to spot deer this early with the leaves on the trees I could remember when I stared my buddy's would say look at the deer I would say what deer you have to learn to look out a lot farther in the woods it will come .Steve
Steve,
you're so right!!
I've been with friends and I'll say to them look at the deer, or fox, or coyote and they can't find it until I literally describe every tree and bush around the animal.
I look for 2 things in the woods. Horizontal lines, like the back or belly of a deer. Why? Because there are very few horizontal lines in the woods.
I also look for a color that doesn't belong, like a patch of brown in the green, or a dark spot where everything around it is light. This one is not as easy to pick up and it depends on time of year, where you're hunting, the cover, etc.
It is a learned technique and comes with time. But isn't that the fun of hunting, learning nature and understanding how everything is put together so perfectly.
I always get disappointed when walking out of the woods empty handed. Parts of me feel like I'm going to hand up my broadheads and go back to shooting paper and hay bales. But one i get back in my truck i start thinking about that pile of droppings or that section that kind of looked like a game trail. I get ask amped up again and can't wait to get back out. I will get my first deer this season. -Duncan
Notme are you lost for words ? That has never happened before. Dont give up I haven't pulled my bow back on a deer yet this year and bbb hasn't done it in a couple .LOL Its part of hunting and its only going to get better ! Steve
All the years I've been hunting I had some where I saw deer all the time in he early season then nothing during late season or vise versa . I know the feeling well but when you see that 1st deer you will be hooked and forget about hanging it up . Sometimes you just have wait until the end of October and 1st couple of weeks in November and set up for all day sits over fresh sign and let the bucks push the deer to you.
mark the calender steve,tis a rare moment indeed,lol
What i said was , when i first started i would just still perfectly still and barely move my eyes..i was so focused of on 30 yrds and in i wouldnt see the big picture..youll be surprised on how much you can get away with once you learn what to look for..and yes its perfectly acceptable to stare at a downed limb behind a tree for 20 minutes waiting for it to move..we've all done it.lol
The only thing worst than not seeing deer is missing 2 shots at a 4pt buck like I did on Monday. The bastard bedded down behind 3 trees 28 yrds from me and I was stuck holding my bow at the ready for over 20 minutes. I'm still debating whether I should of hung the bow on the hook while he was bedded or not.. Good thing there is still plenty of season left.
Spent 3 hours today replacing my 12 y\o sons stolen stand, with lock this time. Checked to make sure my (hopefully) big buck stand wasnt f#*# with. Haven't hunted that one yet, waiting for the right time. while checking though I could smell the deer. They were probably watching me. Then I went to spot number two and moved a stand to where wwe've been seeing a big doe come out on the field edge. A mere 40yards. Shes not gonna come to us. Hopefully all comes together next week with the colder temps etc.....spend the time and disect the area. Dont go by what they should/might be doing, but what they are actually doing. What I've seen for the most part in 25 years is that they dont change much from year to year. Especially when it comes to the rut. They seem to do it in the same place each year. Your doing the right thing by spending time and paying attention.