posted
I agree that the most likely culprit is nocturnal deer. Public land that is pressured changes patterns. I'd also guess that is a bedding area and they are feeding elsewhere. They might have you patterned and skip out before you get in your stand. I'd walk in the 3 miles. You can always use the boat to get the deer you kill.
50 acres isn't that much ground especially when only roughly half of it is used by the deer. It's pretty easy to bump them off that.
-------------------- Take a kid hunting!
TGMM Family of the Bow Posts: 5963 | From: Indiana | Registered: May 2003
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The one thing I've learned from watching deer around public land is they are aware when people are coming and going.
I watched deer raise they heads when trucks drive by on the roads. Maybe cut the motor aways from shore and use an electric trolling motor. Be quiet when you beach the boat. See if it helps.
Posts: 689 | From: PA | Registered: Nov 2003
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i would cover the whole place till i jumped the deer from there beds, then i would know where to put up stands from there. or hunt the stands you have more than once a week, you need to know were theyre at....imo.
-------------------- ~~~DON'T SECOND GUESS YOUR INSTINCT~~~ Posts: 1561 | From: st. louis county , missouri | Registered: Jan 2010
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Many things could be the cause, many of which have already been touched on. I would start moving around. Two man drives possibly? Hunt from the ground if you need to, but find out where they are. I tend to think they may have shied away from the water's edge for more shelter. That and the food source may have changed. Another tactic, two walk in to a stand, one walks out. If they are alerted to your entrance, this may fool them into thinking the threat passed by.
-------------------- "I lost arrows and didnt even shoot at a rabbit" Charlie after the Island of Trees. -Jamie Posts: 4418 | From: Coxsackie, NY | Registered: Jan 2007
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Have they changed their feeding habits this late in the season? Up here they are already hammering cedar and juniper...the main winter forage. Very interesting, some really good ideas coming forth. Love this site.
-------------------- David M. Conroy Posts: 2745 | From: Bellingham, Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2009
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I would hunt in the center of of that thick patch of woods to the west of stand 1. I generally look at the satellite view a little further out and see where the thick woods make funnels and hunt around the funnels inside the woods. I only hunt very small clearings no more than a 40 yard view. It has worked pretty good for me so far. I also try to hunt on weekends when there is no moon. Where we are (Texas) they feed at night when there is enough light to see by. Get there before first light and give a grunt at first light. Just my two cents. Good luck.
-------------------- US Army Staff Sergeant 1984-1990 2004-Present Kosovo - 2005 Iraq - 2008 Afghanistan - Soon Posts: 223 | From: Texas | Registered: Dec 2010
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Thanks for all the help so far folks. I guess I ought to think about hunting different areas.
Just a few clarifications...
The 'Wind' arrow was supposed to point in the direction of the prevailing wind across the peninsula. I've avoided that side altogether as I didn't want to stink up the bedding areas.
I may have understated the size of the area. After doing a few quick sums, it's nearer 90 acres than 50!
The thick wooded areas you can see around the perimiter of the peninsula are very, very steep slopes. The centre-line of the peninsula is about 600 feet above the water level.
We have seen absolutly no tracks running along the slopes (there is one small 'bench' running along the extreme North shore that's had a little activity) only up & down & even then, not many.
We jumped lots & lots of deer in the honeysuckles whilst scouting, both in the mornings & afternoons, so we know they're there. We've also seen 4 different bucks (a 10 point that my go 150ish, 2 8 pointers & a sixer, right on the very tip of the peninsula (whilst bass fishing earlier in the year)
It's a ½ hour drive, ½ hour boat ride from my house, plus the time it takes to get to my stand (20 minutes, give or take, so I don't make too much noise or get to sweaty) so I'm favoring late morning or afternoon hunts. Sunup is around 5:45 & getting up at 3:30 in 20º weather is as much fun as it sounds!
-------------------- "I came into this world, kicking, screaming & covered in someone else's blood. I have no problem going out the same way"
PBS & TBT Member
>>---TGMM, Family of the Bow---> Posts: 4791 | From: Tullahoma, TN | Registered: Apr 2006
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mysticguido
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Lay out some corn and see if it is being eaten. You can also use sewing string to mark trails and if the string is broke then some thing walked by. Also the way the string is laying will tell you which way they where walking..
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LOL! I understand what you mean Sal, however the TWRA are really strict about any corn on the ground during season. Even if you're nowhere near it, they'll still ticket you if you're in the same area.
-------------------- "I came into this world, kicking, screaming & covered in someone else's blood. I have no problem going out the same way"
PBS & TBT Member
>>---TGMM, Family of the Bow---> Posts: 4791 | From: Tullahoma, TN | Registered: Apr 2006
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Rob, It sounds like your deer are bedding in the "grocery" store with no real reason to move very far.
I hate to say it but I would ease into those honeysuckle bedding areas and set up a stand if anyway possible. Also when you and your friend hunt, one of you should come out 30 minutes later than the other in the mornings and in the afternoon one go in 30 minutes earlier. Thats what we call at our hunting lease "use your buddy as a dog" tactic.
Glad you are enjoying deer hunting!
Benjy
-------------------- TGMM Family of the Bow ZIPPER SXT 60" RECURVE 52# @ 29" ZIPPER SXT 64" LONGBOW 71# @ 29" Posts: 1445 | From: Irmo, SC | Registered: May 2006
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Rob, Benjy hit on what would be my recommendation. I used to have a somewhat similar situation. I finally just setup dead in the middle of the honeysuckle. Saw a lot more deer. Shot opportunities were often reduced, but when they presented themselves they were close.
Also wonder how the winds/thermals are effecting your area. Have found that crazy changes in terrain, steep ridges with benches sometimes alter what is the expected norm in wind patterns.
And if all else fails and your not "feeling" good about the spot then move. Good luck.
Posts: 72 | From: ohio | Registered: Jan 2008
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