Hi Ladies and Gents. I'm from Arkansas and I recently moved to Maryland near DC. I found a nice wooded area near my place and I decided to check it out before I grab my hunting license. About an hour ago, 2:30 pm, I made it to the location. Immediately found a few scrapes, trails, droppings and beds. I wasn't in the spot 30 min. Moving slowly, my first mind told me that I had enough intel but my second said to find a tree for the climber then leave. Well as you can suspect, I looked up and saw a deer 20 yards away. The deer stood and looked then turned and ran away. As he turned, I could see that he had a huge body and a nice rack. At least an 8 pointer. He was definitely mature. He didn't go far, nor did he bolt. He casually ran away. I immediately left the area Disappointed that I spooked the buck. I don't plan on going back in the area until I hunt it. Which will be at least 2 weeks. Do you think that I blew it? Should I hunt as planned? I'm positive that the area hasn't been hunted but that the deer has encountered humans because the location is surrounded by a residential area. Any tips for this scenario?
Sounds like You'll be alright. If he didn't blow and stomp, just kinda casually left and you did the same. Doesn't sound like he cared to much. Just make sure when you head back in, use the wind and be quiet.
I wouldn't worry about it and keep hunting. If he is the dominant buck he shouldn't leave his area over just you slightly spooking him. Best of luck this year
This I know for a fact. If you don't go back in an hunt you definitely will not kill him or any other buck. Since he slipped out and you dint chase him or fire at him chances are he will come back. Worst case he goes nocturnal but once the rut starts he will give in to temptation and start cruising. So with that said get back in there and lay the smack down on him.
I'd head back in there stay back a little bit and hunt that bugger you now know one of his bedding spots! Good luck!
Thanks Guys. My first thought was of him going nocturnal but he didn't seem to bothered and it's still pre rut
So you kicked him from his bed? If so what was he bedded in? Was it on a point? If you walked into his bedding area he'll be back and upon returning will confirm a human was in his bedroom by scent. If this is the case best to stay out and if he was bedded there due to a certain wind direction first time in I'd have the same wind and set up expecting him to be bedded in the same area.
Welcome. I'm in MD also. Is it public land or private. If it's public he's probably already seen a few hunters and might be cautious heading back to that same area. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
He wasn't bedded but there was a ton of trails, a few scrapes and a green bedding area near him. Great tip about the wind direction. Only problem is that I never got to choose a tree that's suitable for my climber. There weren't many trees suitable for a climber near the beds or trails that provided me with a decent shooting lane.
Thanks for the tips guys. On the first hunt of the seasona few does passed through, The heavy buck that I bumped just days before while scouting hit the trail and gave me a perfect 25 yard shot. I Double lunged him with my rage broadhead and he Expired after 20 yards.
