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It is predicted to be 45f this afternoon with a 9 mph wind out of the WNW at 2pm. The wind is supposed to die down to <5 mph by sunset. The wind will be right as the deer approach, but not ideal once they go past me into the ef. I plan to hunt the NW stand again this afternoon, I hope the wind dies down as is predicted. The does that have garnered the bucks attention have come from the West side of the creek the last several evenings late. I saw two scrapes down along the pond I had not seen before when I was setting the camera up on the dead deer, they were new active scrapes and licking branches.

Toms acting like it's spring time

Slowly getting this figured out. Thanks for the input Sito.

Last one for today.

I cannot stand liars.

I changed cards on my cameras on the way in. The dead doe remained untouched, not even a nibble on her.

5:59- Back at the truck, the coy dogs didn't like the sound of my growl, busted out running NW when they heard it. Fun hunt even if I didn't see what I had hoped to see on the last day. Switching gears tomorrow, going road hunter hunting.

There were a dozen deer out on the field when I left, they didn't come out into the main field until after 5pm. The other cameras didn't show any buck activity.

I've got a couple buddies, and one of their son's, hunting our spot up there this morning...but they're actually hunting.

I don't think much of the pumpkin suit look, although it does match my beard

Edited in- Talked to the neighbor after I got down. He told me the buck that his son had shot at was a wide and real tall racked 8pt, 140-150" he estimated. Said the buck jumped at the noise of the shot, but had walked off calmly not seeming to know that he had been the target or that he had been seen by them. He said the buck was last seen walking thru the timber towards the NE bedding area. I told them I had watched and listened closely that direction following the shot, saw and heard nothing moving past me. The buck either bedded in the bedding area, or used the timber between two homes that direction to go back to the North. He did not go further West or South from their last sighting, not that I saw anyhow. We communicated our plans for this afternoon's hunt, told them where I planned on sitting, hopefully the kid will get another chance at the deer. Yes, the buck is one of the ones I have been hoping to get a shot at, but I hope the kid gets him first.

Weather will determine whether I hunt tomorrow or not. Won't be adding pictures tonight, never got the camera out this evening.

I got down and made a change that I should have tried before now, but have hesitated doing it, didn't want to alter the routes they have been using regularly. Will try it this afternoon if the rain isn't falling.

James, had mist and one decent rain shower while there, stayed in because I could see clear sky to the SW. Michael, my need to do list is growing by the day, it too wishes I would hurry up and seal the deal. Mark, the younger does still trailed by this year's fawns are starting to come into estrous here, some of the older fawns as well. The buck was chasing two very young fawns this morning, believe he was not going to have any luck with them, but you never know. He was chasing a doe and a fawn last night at last light.

Foiled by the wind currents again. Probably the only place in Elk County with SW wind at daylight.

Going to take a break over the weekend, might hunt evenings, Sunday evening for desperate road hunters for sure.

Talked to the neighbor last night and this morning, he told me that he and his son had not seen any buck movement all day yesterday, but saw one this morning that they could not shoot at because it was before legal shooting time. I thanked him for teaching the son to be a ethical/legal hunter. He told me the buck went North into the pastures. I plan on hunting from the blind again this afternoon/evening.

Have been in the blind since about 3:15. It was 39f when I left the truck, wind also as predicted, with the sun shining brightly in my eyes. Considered dropping the netting because the sun is glaring off it.

5:53- Back at the truck typing this. Deer were acting very strange, had not seen them bed on the South end nor come from that direction in the evening. Was encouraging to see a shooter buck, even when not having a shot. Perhaps one of the does is closer to cycling now, helped bring him in.

Second rut is on in some areas. I had two young does being harassed by two nice bucks Sunday afternoon.

Still not enough action to get me out there in the cold mornings be still

The caretaker of the property along the West side of the creek did not hunt it this year. I did not see anyone hunting the large pasture North of that property, the landowner had cattle in there this year. I did not see the usual 1-4 hunters rifle hunting the two properties North of me along the East side of the creek. The only close rifle hunters, the neighbor and his son, were to my advantage, blocking the deer's migration NE away from me. The only time I sensed any danger, was the morning when the kid fired off a round that I was not anticipating right at legal shooting time. They were close enough I could hear the click of the firing pin striking the cartridge. The barrel of the gun was pointed well North of me, but being down range from their location, the report was very loud. I was not aware that they were hunting that day. Following that shot, we communicated better about our hunting locations/sightings to benefit both of us. I saw the fewest number of road hunters that I've ever seen while watching for them thru the first weekend. Typically there are a bunch on opening morning, thru the first five days of their season, then the last two days you see the desperate to fill tag folks come out cruising the bottom lands looking to shoot anything they can. Was a nice change to not have that hassle this year.

Am set up in the blind, wishing I had set it up facing more away from the afternoon sun

Does are headed North too

Travis, is always nice to spend time with the family, but shopping is one of those things that I try to avoid at all costs.

My peace and solitude didn't last long, someone is doing some pistol target shooting a mile West and North of me. At least I know the deer won't be going that way this evening.