Contributors to this thread:
Well, I've been out 8 times so far and have only seen 3 deer. Almost every year I'm doing pretty good for the first part of the season. Many areas I've hunted in the past (and what used to be a honey hole) is all but dried up with little to no sign.
I've been bowhunting for 20 years and have never seen it like this. I'm not saying that this is not a new normal for me (or CT) I'm only saying that in all my years I've never seen anything like this. We all have bad years. This would be the exceptionally bad bad year of my 20 year history.
Feel free to chime in...
I'm in the same boat. Out 9 or 10 times seen 2 deer from on stand. Hunting same or similar spots, using same gear, and same methods. Last year I had better luck. Hopefully just a fluke. The sign is picking up in certain places.
Im seeing more young then usual this year but about the same number mature deer. Both deep woods and urban settings. On a total number maybe 20% more but all young are increase. Im seeing twos and even a few threes from does. Probably a mild winter helped a lot. Crazy mild winter, I didnt even see the soil frozen over the winter. I was working soil in Feb and there was maybe a 1/2 frozen layer only in spots.
I moved to a spot that has water within 100 yds now. Its a small stream but have lots of pics of different deer using this path. All my usual areas seemed to have dried out also. Will be out for the first time on Sat morn.
Just wait till the rut. We go through this every year. If it wasn't for the rut, it would always be miserable sitting in a tree.
My honey holes have dried up this year too but I know the deer are around they have just moved off to more food there are no acorns now at my spots 5 times and only saw a deer in the dark changed to another spot I have and had 5 does come in and took one home .My spots always come alive as it gets colder we have lots of younger bucks on camera tons of deer before the season and then they disappear That's why they call it hunting and not killing .STEVE
I'm seeing a lot while driving to work in the am but little while I'm hunting.
Look at the bright side, man - you've gotten to spend 8 days out in the woods and you haven't had to drag a deer out once!
I would suggest thinking about water sources, since it has been so dry, but just hang in there... Or get out on foot and see what you find. Might even score from the ground, and that's a feeling!
All year long I had a bunch of deer visit my feed in my backyard during all hours. In the past couple weeks they have been coming in less and on top of that I am getting mostly night pics now which all tells me they have adjusted to a new food source probably the acorns dropping. They are there just a few hundred yards away probably.
Spike,ill bet they're on your deck right now watching you eat that bowl of chocolate chunky monkey giggleing quitelty amongst themsevles...lol
Rough year?? WTF the calendar just turned Oct!!! Please don't tell me you are ready to give up so soon...
x2 longbeard, I'll be lucky to get out there that many times this year. Season is still young for you guys that can get out there more than me. People forget the season used to start in the beginning of Oct.
Water deer need to drink like any other animal find some water you will see deer ,i have seen deer both bucks and does every time out except for twice out of 8 times....
Think of it another way - exclude hunting the places, like high ridges, that are devoid of water. Look for secluded mud puddles and check it for tracks. Deer would rather drink water from a good hiding place than from the edge of well traveled river bank.
Wow, I know it's apples and oranges, but hunting up here in central MA, I would be very very happy with seeing 3 deer over 8 sits.
Keep patient, good things will happen.
Lol Longbeard. I was waiting for someone to pop up on this thread to stir ups one hornets. I'll save you the trouble. I'm a wuss. I'm a pansy. Feel free to denigrate me for checking in with how this season compares to others.
Will I can agree with that. I grew up hunting zone 2 and 4n in MA. Took 11 years to tag a deer. In those zone the deer population is really low. Hunting CT has spoiled me with deer sightings/kills the last 4 years.
If I see a deer when I'm out, I consider it a great day. So far this season, I had one great day (passed on a doe with a skipper), and two nice days in the woods.
It seems like there are a lot of acorns again this year, so maybe they are just not moving around as much yet.
Not here to denigrate you or anyone else. When I read your initial post it sounded as though you had had enough because the conditions were tough compared to past years. Frankly you sounded defeated already and I didn't want to think you were going to give up that easy. Do you understand how I could read it that way ya pansy? Lol
I first off want to say I rarely post but am on almost eveyday. I belong to several other forums as well and this seems to be a reoccurring topic. The calender just hit October its still early on in the season. Im two deer in at this point with plenty of season left. I know many are far more experienced then me but all I can say is you got to move around and can't always rely on "honey holes". Deer are smart and by far smarter than many give them true credit for. Weather has been really screwed up this year but don't let it deter you. Change things up, find new areas, get outside and just enjoy. The best part of the season has yet to come when magical things happen. Also remember hunting has alot to do with mental attitude stay positive and enjoy and success will follow. Think negative and everything will become unsuccessful. Stay safe out there.
MCDM
agree with your comments. Stay flexible. The first couple of times out each year I do some still hunting / Scouting, even when I return to my usually spots, just for the reason the MCDM stated.
Last weekend was my first time out and I was looking for 2nd place to hang a stand when I found a spot that was far better than my old honey hole. It was only 300 yards from my first choice, but what a difference that makes.
I've been out 19 times, only have seen 11 deer. I've had plenty of opportunities to shoot but they have all been at at fawns, does with fawns, or year and a half old bucks. If I shoot them it will only make next year worse. Waiting for a solitary doe or a decent buck. This year has been more difficult than expected for me so far. The deer never come easy and thats how it should be. Loving every minute of it.
I've hunted places in Maine where it is 3 - 5 d psm. Long long sits and sometimes NEVER even seeing a deer after a week of hunting. I've seen the best and worst of deer hunting.