So today I caught myself standing 15-20 feet away from what could have been my first deer. I decided to hunt a small piece of state land that I had scouted a few years back. It was the only local place I had scouted to date. I had an idea where some doe had bedded down previously, and decided to still hunt my way through a section of the land that was a mix of thick stuff and open areas with tall grass. After making my way through a lot of thorny stuff, I found myself on a deer trail, which led me to droppings and some decent tracks. I was creeping along the downwind side, running parallel to the trail. About an hour in I made my way through a chokepoint into a small open area, and was making my way through, hugging the edges and slipping between bushes when I hear something. I knew it was a deer right away, since I had already heard enough rabbits and turkeys to know that this was much bigger. I saw what looked like a small doe bolt. I heard a second deer, and thought it was a doe. But it didn't run. And about 15 feet away, I could see what was a deer. It was hard to see because there were two small pines, more like big bushes, between the deer and me. Then I realize I am looking at what seems to be a small buck. But, then I start to really see what it is I am looking at. I see the base of the rack, and it looks thick. I could see that he was tall. I nocked my arrow and stood there, watching him taste the air. My heart was racing. I'm thinking, this buck could be my first one, and from the ground at that. I had the pine “bushes” completely blocking my shot. I could only see him through the branches. It felt like an eternity, but it was maybe 3 or 4 minutes that we both stood there. He was looking in my direction, and I was doing my best to remain still. I was so tempted to try and move, but he was looking, and the ground was crunchy. The wind must have swirled, because all of a sudden, he licked, snorted and bolted through the brush. I tried to stick around, but neither came back. I eventually worked my way deeper, and about 1/4 mile up, I ran into a travel corridor and saw a ground blind off to the side. I'm not sure if anyone was in it, but I didn't want to push up passed them. I eventually circled back a little way before where I spooked the buck, and sat back off the deer trail until sundown. Nothing came through. I know I screwed up by moving too noisily and fast through the woods. I'm pretty bummed that I couldn't get a shot. At the same time my heart is still pumping from being that close. I wanted him to step forward so I can take that shot. I guess my question is, will he ever come back? Is it possible to try and go back in a week or so? Also, I feel kind of bad if that guy had patterned that buck, but did I really do anything wrong? It is public land, and only two people can hunt that area at any given time, and I was one. I really want that deer now.Any advice, or tips? I feel like hunting this way was more exciting than my time in stands. Thoughts on that? Thanks!
Nothing wrong with bumping deer on state game land. Don't worry about the other guy, and as far as how soon the buck will be back depends on how much pressure other hunters have put on the area. He might be there tomorrow, and he might not bed in that same spot again. It's hard to say, if I were you I would try to figure out a spot near that trail and set up a little natural ground blind on the downwind side. Good luck! Edit: if it's a younger buck like you thought then he will probably stick around in the same area, but with the rut coming on soon, it's difficult to predict a bucks movement as they start to wander. if you know where the does are feeding when the bucks start chasing then you might get another shot at him. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Hard to stalk deer in brush with a bow. Sounds like you walked through some good stand areas. The deer are more likely back to their normal routine as in public areas they are used to people.
Just wondering how can public land be limited to only 2 hunters? How can you know how many are out there? How many acres is it?
@axtell343 Thanks for your reply. I am have been thinking non-stop about yesterday. I am going to do what you suggested. I think I know where they may be exiting the state land for an adjacent farm's food plot. I think I will hunt in the afternoon and set up in that corridor a few hundred yards from the beds. I think that it may have been the doe's bed. About a 1/4 mile or so before I spooked them, I found a pretty big pile of droppings that was in a really thick area that was hard to move through. I think it was possible that he was bedding around there. I don't know if I can slip in between the doe's bedding, and this spot without making a bunch of noise. So I think the corridor where they are exiting will be key. I brought my gps and marked everything. So I am going to get the map open and try and make sense of it all. @Arkyinks Yeah, I did realize that about 15 minutes into it. It was piss poor planning on my part. Unfortunately, there are no trees to place a stand, but I can definitely use a blind or use what is there. I have an easier way to enter the location without going through the thick stuff, but the wind needs to be right. I think you have a real good point about them getting back to their routines. I could hear people hiking while I was out there, and the farm was active and noisy. I should probably try to get out their asap. I know that I'm itching for that buck, but whatever it is will be my first, so I'll be happy. And we have such a deer problem here that they need does killed. So if I don't get him, I'll be happy to get one of does. @Rjhart12pt So, the way it works by me is that there are a certain amount of parking spots. Each spot is for one car, and there are some that are for two cars. You have to have a pass in the window and on your person. Even if you are at a two car location, and one car has two hunters, the spot is considered full. The area that I hunted only has two single spots. 1 on the southern end, and another on the northern end. So at any given time there should only be two legal hunters there. At least that is my understanding of it all. It is not big at all, about 210-215 acres.
With my bow, I've killed most of my deer either going to coming from my stand. You have to walk with your bow ready to go. I Most deer won't run off after you kicked them up. because they didn't see you. they probably heard you. other times the deer doesn't know anything is there because you simply crossed paths.
Stay on it and keep learning. Everyone has should have would have could havehunting stories. That makes it fun. I have done everything correct and not been presented with a shot, and almost messed everything up but through luck get a shot. Sent from my iPad using Bowhunting.com Forums
I have an aerial picture of the area, with a few important locations marked via gps. I was thinking about setting up north of where I saw the buck. I can enter through the pine forest and head south. The issue is that I am not 100% sure which way the buck is moving through the area. I feel like he may be bedding near where I saw the droppings, and I thought about setting up somewhere off the trail between those two locations, south of where I saw him. The issue is the ability to enter quietly. Setting up on the North side of where I saw him would definitely be easier, but I wanted to get some opinions. If anyone is willing to take a look, I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks!
