So, I had a great hunt. It was better than any I have ever had on this piece of public land. In fact, until this year, I had given up on this spot since I had never, in many hunts, seen a deer in the daytime that had not been spooked. This place gets hammered. But I found what looked like a nice spot on Google Earth and it turned out to be good. The only problem is that it is 3/4" mile downhill from the road. And I mean DOWNHILL.
I got in there about 4:30 and found some great sign. Several really fresh scrapes and trails galore. I set up, on the ground, overlooking a creek bottom. The wind was steady down the creek. I was in a spot where several draws came together. About an hour into it, I hear the tell-tale sound of a deer, and a big one above me on one of the ridges. I look up just in time to see a nice 8 pointer about 30 yards away. My wind was going towards him but I hoped he'd get to a shooting lane before he smelled me. No such luck. As soon as he smelled me, he blew out of there fast.
About 30 minutes later, a deer blows at me from down the creek. 2 minutes later, a nice doe comes crashing down the hill upwind of me by aout 50 yards. Only problem is she was heading away from me. All in all, a very successful hunt on this heavily pressured ground. It was nice weather, the woods were gorgeous, the rut is getting in gear and all is well. Thanks again for all your um...encouragement.
On my way up that hill, I was dang glad I didn't shoot that heavy buck or even the doe. It is super steep all the way.
Peace.