I don't know why, but I haven't seen a thing since 11/15. I hunt Hillsdale/Lenewee County border which is a great spot for whitetail, but since gun season started all my bucks (and does for that matter) have left the area. I hunt 54 acres of hardwoods surrounded by soybean fields and haven't had any action on my trail cams and bait piles. A report from the Michigan DNR says deer populations are down, but I have never experienced such a drought. Bummed out!!
Folks need to start laying off the Does if the population is in decline. This has been a big topic the last week. Lots of low harvest number for gun season. Lots of states have unlimited doe tags, I think that is about to change though.
Your in a great area, Lot of big deer coming out of there this year. Could be lack of cover? pressure? Lot of factors can come into play. Drive around at dusk and see what surrounding areas are looking like. They could have just moved off to a different property. How where things before gun season came in?
I'm in Westchester county NY where apparently there is a deer "overpopulation". But we are lacking the does, and since the rut kicked in the bucks have gone to other properties looking for them. We are bow only, so there isn't any pressure from gun hunters, just a problem with people shooting every doe they see. -Andrew
