Northcountryman

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 ?

Yeah , you know , I used To think that Excessive hunting Pressure would simply drive the deer deeper into the woods , and , I’m not saying there’s not some of that going on , but I think it’s too simplified. I think they’re sticking to thick heavy cover but not changing their core areas too much and just hunkering down till the perceived hunting pressure Lessens a bit . I’ll bet hunters walk right by them all the time and never even know it lol

Yup , agree , but what I can’t figure out is , areas that I thought were For bedding Are holding no deer !! Maybe they’re just Heavy cover areas and not truly bedding ?

After opening weekend , sightings of our Most respectable Quarry have dropped off precipitously . Nobody in my club has seen any deer , not even does , during legal shooting hours since Monday. Having said that, However, when I was driving out to my spot this am around 6, the fields adjacent to the road And on private property were loaded with deer ; What’s up?!! As so often happens in the days following the opener , the deer have figured us out , I imagine and are moving very little ( if at all) during daylight hours and are only coming out under the cover of darkness ? Should we let it rest a bit , do you think ?

Very sorry Wolc

You know , you raise an excellent point , and , I’ve thought of this myself . Prevailing wisdom is , “ always hunt with the wind in your face “ but , isn’t hat more for when still hunting ? I mean , if you think about it , when you’re in a stand , blind , etc. , you’re not moving so , it doesn’t matter if you’re facing inTo the wind ; deer can approach from any direction around you !! And , as you point out , they’re MOST likely to approach from behind you When you do so , cuz they’re playing the wind just like you are !! If I’m sitting , I’d much rather face with the wind at my back .

No doubt !! That’s weird though , no fawn with her ?

Yes , I hear what you’re saying And usually do but , when I got out and moved around , I found lots of sign ( bedding areas, cross trails Going to and fro , scat , etc.) about 200-300 yards behind me and to the south so , I’m thinking I need to move it now . I’m too far up north and facing away so, I’m not seeing them . However , it’s the season now , so , I won’t be moving a ladder stand now , too noisy. What I will do though is slip my climber near that bedding area and see if I can catch em comin back

Wow , yes , you did great!! Congrats!! What region do you hunt in btw ?

Ok , so 2nd day into rifle season ; how are we doing so far ? Currently a big goose egg For me and everyone in my club , but the seasons still young !! Yesterday I didn’t see shit in my stand , so , around 9 , climbed down and did a little still hunting for awhile . I managed to completely surprise 3 does , 2 very nice , but don’t have a tag for 3A so had to let her walk . Today , nothing but 1 small doe ; where all the bucks I’m wondering ?!

Gonna give my some exercise tomorrow!!

My binocs and my safety harness

First of all , I would not use someone’s stand that I didn’t know . But , even if I did , if someone showed up and said it was theirs AND I KNEW DAMN WELL IT WADNT MINE , I’d leave , no questions asked