How would you recommend handling this?

Here is my problem, my aunt owns 20 acres in a semi urban area and started complaining about deer 3 years ago. She asked my to take a few out with a bow, I told her I'd do the best I could.


3 years later I've seen 4 deer total (I keep log books). She has no persimmons, acorns, crabapples, or any decent fruit. All of her property is thinned pine that she keeps clear. I planted a food plot on a firebreak still haven't see any deer (2 years later)


I'm seriously tired of hunting this property due to not seeing deer and her telling me about all of the deer beded down under her porch(no photographic proof)

I've never had to deal with something like that. How would you handle it? I want to be as nice as possible.

 

You can't shoot what isn't there.

 

Sounds like these deer are coming through at Night or they are possibly bedding there. Any trail cameras?

 

There are no deer on trail cams. No deer at night, I've looked

 

I'd try my best to confirm what she's saying and if I couldn't then I'd stop wasting (and letting her waste) my time.

 

Also, how would you recommend telling her that I no l no longer wish to hunt the property? I don't want to start some fight

 

Just state that the facts that you have established over the years of hunting on her parcel

"I've only seen 4 deer in 3 years, I don't think the deer are your problem"

You can always let her know you will come back when the problem arises again.

 

You'd be the best judge of that.
Personally, I'd just say I'm not doing her any good and I was going to focus on other stuff. I don't know what there is about that to start a fight.

 

Im upfront kinda guy so I would first tell thank her for the opportunity to hunt there. But due to lack of seeing an animals it is best if you spent your time elsewhere. Then the first deer you get take her a nice piece of back strap (if she likes venison). It could very well be that she like the company and your visits.

 

Agree with this. And tell her you will come back if it picks up.

 

Put some cams up and see what's all there then go from there.

 

I would quit wasting my time. Simply tell her that you no longer care to hunt there because there aren't any deer. I'm sure she can get someone else to hunt there if that is what she wants.

 

Have any "friends" that bowhunt you don't like.....bring them over and introduce them to aunt.
Drop off a Whitman sampler at Christmas to ease your conscience.

 

Talk to Atlas to see what the problem is. If there are deer there, you should be able to walk up to them and gut them alive. Hahaha.

 

Lease the property:-)


Kilboars Hunt Club

 

Ask her for a date...that should end it