Need an Opinion

[pitweiler]

I’ve located some fairly well used trails that seems to get use early morning and then again around mid day. The amount of tracks and size looks to be does, which is fine, I have a DMP. I also think there is a buck cruising the area maybe still in rut. He seems to cruise through fields through the doe trail and then through the wooded areas to stay hidden. This is public land so I don’t have any cameras up.

Im taking my boy out tomorrow. He’s young and very energetic. It’s going to be his second outing. I want to try to get some action for him, at least see one. I was going to put some Tinks 69 scent bombs out, but I’m afraid the estrous smell would potentially scare away any does not in estrous. I was thinking of trying to Doe-P or just sitting on the trail without scent bombs. I figure Doe-P wouldn’t scare away the does in the area and might still entice the buck that may be cruising. What are the thoughts on here?

[ApexerER]

While there are people far more experienced than me, I would say set up on the trail down wind and maybe farther back than you normally would since the little one will be with you. I have never had any luck with scents even in the peak of the rut so at this stage I think I would be skipping the scents. Hope you get to see some with your son. I remember several of the deer I saw while out hunting with my Dad when I was young. 

[Robhuntandfish]

at this point i would keep it natural.  If they are using it now i wouldnt change anything and just be in ambush for what comes thru.  

[Tughill Tamer]

I agree IMHO I think you should stay away from the scents. Best of luck with your son

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[JRod 8G8H]

I would keep your scent out of the thick stuff and use either a doe bleat can or rattling. That will spark curiosity without spooking anything. I've shot bucks late season after rattling sequences. You're spot on with the deer movement times... That's what I'm seeing too.. Good luck!

[moog5050]

I too would avoid scents.  

[Chef]

Like others have said I would avoid scents, especially being that it’s state land. Those deer have probably had every scent under the sun thrown at them. They are not stupid


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[Team Hoyt]

Avoid the scents. Any deer I've seen when I e used them get very alert and know something is up. I haven't used scents in years because of that. If I was you since you have a dmp I'd shot the first thing I saw, the kid would love it

[grampy]

Leave the scents home. Sneak in and set up downwind of that trail. Find a blowdown or large tree to sit by. Bring lots of snacks for the young guy. Point out all the birds, squirrels, odd trees, cloud formations, anything to keep him occupied, to when the deer show up! When they do, don't be too picky! Good luck! Make it fun!

[TreeGuy]

It's unanimous, no scents. Follow the previous advise. Down wind of the trail or where two trails intersect. I would say, about 20 min before you are gonna leave, hammer on the fawn bleat. You would be surprised how fast them nanny does will show up. Could be a cool experience for jr to see. Good luck and good for you for getting the young one out there !

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[pitweiler]

Thanks everyone. I hope the wind works in our favor. Luckily I have three to four spots lined up in case we have different wind than I expect. This little boy has a lot of future hunts planned already: Black Bear, Elk, Moose. He really wants to do some Coyote hunting in the spring. I wish NYS would make that season year round. 

[pitweiler]

Well, it was a complete bust. I got stuck at work late and didn’t get home till almost 1am. We ended up not waking up until 4:50. Got to the state land by 6:45, 45min later than I wanted to. I had a bad feeling this would happen, but there were literally 10 trucks already there. There were trucks parked near every place I had scouted out. I didn’t want to be “that guy” and bust someone’s set up so I decided we’d walk in as deep as possible. Found more trucks once we got in deep. I had to guess at least 12-16 hunters in a maybe 270acre area. I didn’t want to let my kid down so I figured we’d find a spot and watch an area that was adjacent to my known trails and had some fresher tracks running through it. Well, we’re there for half an hour and i hear 3 people rip off at least 3-4 shots each in rapid succession, sounded like semi or pump shotguns shooting at a running deer. My boy was getting antsy because our spots were blown up and I was antsy because it sounded like I was around folks who would be ripping shots off at possibly running deer, which I think is dangerous and irresponsible, especially on public land where other people are hunting. It was frustrating. We were there for 2 hours. 90 mins walking in and out. Oh well. We’ll try next time. I don’t want to, but with my boy showing interest I’m seriously considering a small lease for less than a grand.