Northcountryman

I agree , definitely so right now , gotta take the pressure off for a bit and let them forget about us a bit . Deer are wary and quite formidable but they’re not Magical! Sooner or later , they’ll let their guard down again and that’s when you need to be there !!

I’ve thought of that but I wouldn’t still hunt now following all the pressure for the past weeks and a half ; I think that would just prolong the drought amd keep them Totally nocturnal For a longer period . Actually , I’m sure they’re still moving a little during the day but VERY little . Probably just shortnjaunts to get upnane stretch , take a whiz , etc . Then hunker back down again. Unless you have a piece of property REALLY well scouted and have a good idea where they’re hunkering down , still hunting would be a waste of time IMHO. I would keep rotating spots and keep the intrusion down to a minimum and let the woods settle down a bit then give it a go with either still hunting or stand sitting . Couple guys in my club are locked into such a routine right now that I swear , the deer have patterned them totally and they’re never gonna see shit at the rate they’re going . Every morning , same stand , sit till 9:30. , then back to camp for a nap , lunch , etc . , then back out to same stand again for the afternoon sit . Hell , you don’t have to be smart to figure that out lol. I am convinced that the pattern we’re seeing now (which happens every year post opening weekend , mind you and ALWAYS causes suppression of deer sightings) Can only effectively be hunted by either cheating ( ie deer jacking which is unethical as hell), or, using well coordinated deer drives ;the # of participants partaking Contingent upon the size of the parcel being hunted, of course . Back in the day , deer drives were routinely used but now , seem to be a relic of the past . Too bad cuz it quite often worked Very well.

I hear you man , same here . I agree w Rob-c and would rotate spots if you can . I hunted today in a spot I tried Saturday and didn’t see a damn thing ; however , did see some sign and moved my stand to what I feel like is a better spot and it’s all set . Won’t hunt that spot now , though till Saturday at the earliest , probably more like Monday . Instead , I’ll go up to camp and try some other spots . Biggest thing is to keep your spirits up , enjoy your solitude in your blind ( stand , whatever ) and don’t give up. Remember , you definitely won’t see deer if your sitting on your couch !!

Yes , I agree . If I’m able to hunt there tomorrow, I’m setup not too far from one of those spots I surmise to be a bedding area. I would like to take a pic but don’t wanna go traipsin around too much and alert them to my presence so , slip in to my climber and that’s that

Yeah? Ok , looking at the pics , I know the biggest tree was a hemlock and I think one of the smaller trees with the double split was as well . The smoothest bark trees I believe are beeches but not sure . Would that be 2 bucks then ?

Deer sightings are Definitely Few and far between currently , but , it’s bound to get better now . I think hunting pressure is greatest opening weekend and then steady till weekend after thanksgiving ; after that, gets better and you should see some deer again .

This area that he frequented ( or frequents if he’s still alive and kickin) is like, classic hunting magazine topography , I swear. Well , Maybe not In terms of food plots but bedding areas tree type and cover ridges , etc ., classic ! When you come Down off The high point , there’s a ridge line that he travels ( I would imagine other deer would also ) that’s fairly level and is about 2/3 up when comparing high to low ground . The trail meanders ina gentle gradual elevation change upward ( or downward depending upon direction of travel) and is the most natural gradual change in elevation that you can take . It’s perfect!! Also, wind directions typically blowing from SW come over the high point of the ridge in the direction of the road and drift down the slope . There are some lower slopes with evergreens patches that I envisioned him bedding down in facing downhill so he has his back covered with his nose and can see and hear danger from below and , to either side . Perfect setup .

I hope you’re right !! Gonna try again in the am and see if they’re a any other bucks around , and hey: maybe my buck isn’t dead after all!! Lol

Thank you , my friend , yes , I’m sure hoping that maybe the dead one was a cruiser and not THE one . so , I set my climber up in there today and will give it a shot anyway ; I mean , what can it hurt ? It’s be interesting to see what happens at the very least . My gut instinct , though , is that was the buck frequenting that area , but I’d like to see If there’s some other younger bucks around that show themselves as well .

Looks like it’s likely my buck that made all those beautiful rubs is dead ; DEC officer said he had a broken leg so , more than likely , struck by a vehicle at night or something . This was such a nice buck He likely intimidated all of the other smaller bucks in the area and are not likely to encroach upon his area , so I’m wondering: how long would it take one or more of them to figure out he’s gone and move in to his area?

Update : called DEC and officer came and inspected the carcass . She said buck had a broken leg so , it’s likely he was indeed hit and died and subsequently, town workers may have dragged him to that spot and removed the antlers . Who knows for sure , but again , what a shame . I’m wondering now though should I still try to but that Spot or is it a waste of time ? I’m sure other bucks would eventually , move into his territory but right away ? Doubt it

Just went over and turned him over ; absolutely was not hit and pretty sure he wasn’t shot either , rifle or bow . I wonder how and why he died then ? Old age ? There’s nothing coming out of his mouth indicating that hemorrhagic disease so idk. Ate something that made him sick ?

Doesn’t look he was hit to me but maybe I’ll go back and try to roll him over with gloves ; side showing looked clean and no bullet holes at least

I couldnt help but reply to my own topic cuz , VERY upset right now . Just drive over to that spot to look around a little more and try to figure out if he’s bedding or feeding , and , to my chagrin , came across the Body of a beautiful buck , Dana horns . Pic is posted below . I know there’s no way of knowing if this is him but I feel , in my heart , that it is . Looks like somebody shot him and removed horns for a trophy ; either that , or came across him dead and removed them . My feeling is some dipshit poachers jacked him at night when he came out in the grassy area to feed by 17 just for the rack . Very upsetting and very disappointing, to say the least . Should I even bother to hunt this spot now considering what I discovered ?

Same here , I’m a morning guy through and through , and , I just love slipping in when it’s dark , enjoy the peace and stillness around me , watch the sunrise, etc. I don’t know if morning is any more or less productive than afternoon but , much more enjoyable for me

Ok , so I went out to a new spit yesterday with a buddy , not expecting much cuz no Pre scout , and ended up stumbling across one of the most pronounced rub lines I have ever seen!! Easily over a dozen trees rubbed in a straight line gradually going parallel and slightly diagonally up a ridge. After laying down pins of this on my app, I studied the map and topography and made perfect sense to me that he was traveling in the easiest line or pathway uphill requiring the least amount of energy and also , sort of an edge transition zone . What I’m trying to figure out though , is if he’s rubbing as he’s approaching bedding cover or prior to going up to feed , as , I can’t tell . The rub lines appear to end at the top near the power lines and there’s some really thick briar bushes in there , so much that it would be very difficult for a person to walk through . Is it bedding ? Here’s pics of some of the rubs ; looks like a fairly Nice sized sized buck Made them, right ?

I agree ; I do , how ever, take my coat off it’s warm while IN stand but NEVER TAKE OFF ORANGE WHEN STILL HUNTING . I don’t care if it’s public or private , not a good idea!!

Hope you’re right Big Daddy!!

It varies but quite often Wurtsboro

Oh ok , should be good deer population there right ? Near southern tier and all . I’m in 3H and 3A. Sometimes I do 3M as well

Cool Bud , what region do you hunt ?

Decent 7 pointer right ? NOTHING in the woods cuz they’re all on private property and / or bedded down somewhere not moving !!

No , I think you’re right ; they know those houses/ property that are sanctuaries and the state land and other private areas that are hunted , no doubt . Check out this pic taken at 10 am about 2 miles from our camp on private property

Wow , that’s discouraging , guess I’m far from the only one seeing this then !! So , how long before they resume their daily pre gun Season activities ?