Confusing season

[Sam McMichael]

This has been a strange season indeed! I have seen very few deer. I had wood cut on my place last spring, which caused me to relocate most of my stands. Initially, I thought maybe I had put my stands in poor locations.

Today, instead of hunting, I gathered greenery for the Christmas decorations and walked around my hunting area afterward. Around every single stand I found tracks, droppings, rubs, and scrapes, sometimes within bow range. Now, I am beginning to think they are more nocturnal than they used to be. I know there are some big deer around, because I have seen some at night.

The only other explanation for not seeing deer is that I am too old and fidgety to be still and get busted before I ever see them. That is a more real possibility than I like to admit.

[fnshtr]

I too have had a strange season. I can't complain as I did take an early doe in September and a decent 8 point in late October... but the rut was different this year.

Lots of mast, both hard and soft... deer didn't have to move much during the day AND DIDN'T!!

I had six different 8 points on my trail cams including 3 dandys. Also had a nice 9 point running around... seen him in squirrel season and once from my stand in early November. Spent more time in the woods than ever (I'm retired) but never seen a buck chasing a doe. Seen a spike with a doe during our firearms season and a decent 8 with a doe during the second week of firearm season.

I think between setting my cameras, stands and hunting... I spread my scent around too much. They seemed to go almost entirely nocturnal about the first of November.

[Steelman]

Guys you have just summed up my seanson so far. Strange to say the least.

[dbd870]

October was very heavy with deer, several just a little too far away. Since gun season came in it has been VERY few and far inbetween.

[akaboomer]

I have been having the same kind of season. I let some does and little bucks walk early in the season just because I was loving the hunt and felt like I had plenty of time. The acorns started falling and the movement shut down. The lease I am on has 5 members that hunt, I am the only trad guy. We have about 800 acres and usually  kill 12_15 deer. This year there have been three total. I have not seen a deer from the stand since November 2nd.

[akaboomer]

I have been having the same kind of season. I let some does and little bucks walk early in the season just because I was loving the hunt and felt like I had plenty of time. The acorns started falling and the movement shut down. The lease I am on has 5 members that hunt, I am the only trad guy. We have about 800 acres and usually  kill 12_15 deer. This year there have been three total. I have not seen a deer from the stand since November 2nd.

[Steve56]

Sam, it's been the same type of season here for me as well(East central GA). Had opportunities for does and small bucks early in the season, but was holding out for something better. We have several trail cameras out that have captured shots of some REALLY good bucks. But they're all in the middle of the night. And they are where we have our stands. Also, it has seemed that the winds have been more "switchy" (may not be a word) rather than being from a constant direction. I think that has played a big part as well.

[Terry Lightle]

Same thing for me here in Osage county Okla

[Longbow58]

Same in Pa. I believe here we had such a good mast crop this year and combined with great ag year and rainfall the deer here felt any pressure they just would move to another area or go nocturnal. Ran 3 cameras and got some good buck but most at night. Got late season yet! Good luck, be safe.

[VA Elite]

same here in Va. and we had an outbreak of EHD. lots of deer had split and rotting hooves. people have found many dead as well.

[hitman]

Same type season for me. Have not taken a shot this year, passed up on some small bucks. Never saw many deer at all. Our deer herd in my hunting area is down quite a bit and we had great mast.

[Roadkill]

We had a difficult year, too.  I know elk are there, but they managed to evade us

[sheepdogreno]

Was an odd season for me in Indiana. The only deer I had in range ended up being my big buck I shot 12-12-14. Prior to that I saw does and a small 8pt with none in range. And lots of sits getting skunked. My other two buddy's have been struggling too. One of em finally got his bruiser down he was after and the other is still wishing he would have shot his!monster when he had the chance last month