Have had 3 cameras out since mid summer. 2 in the same place they were last year and one in a new timber patch. Then added a 4th at an open area where they cross a dirt road. Only a single deer on the one camera and nothing on the other out of the first 2. 3rd camera picks up one occasionally. 4th camera is getting several deer and other critters. Problem is the deer are showing up late night or early morning. Most a couple hours after or before shooting time. I can understand the lack of deer as the crop rotation has changed from corn to soy beans, or put in CRP with no crops for the next 9 years. The deer that are crossing the road are going across bean ground to a creek to drink. Lot of tracks at a crossing. The timber strip where I think they are holding during the day is about 3/4 mile long and has several stands in it now. Don't need to add another one or two by any means. Hoping when the rut gets going good things will heat up one of my other areas. No big timber around, only patches and strips. Largest area which I can hunt is about 12 -14 A. with one stand up near the West end. Thinking of putting a ladder stand up off the dirt road about 200 yds. Won't interfere with him any and may give me a chance. Not seeing near the deer during the day we did last year. Not sure if the population is down that much or their travel patterns have changed. Not looking good at this point.
Trust me when I say this. I’m glad someone else is experiencing this as well... I’m not really glad, but I’m having the same scernrio here in Pa on my lease as well... all my Trail Cam Pics since mid Sept have been after legal hunting hrs or early morning..plenty on cam but just not when needed... for me there is no other empty feeling then knowing you’ve done or are doing everything you know to do but to no avail.. and it’s completely out of my control... just keep pounding it and praying they come out when I need them too..
We are both doing the same thing wrong, or just getting delt a bum hand right now. I live in a rural area, no houses for 1-1/4 miles in any direction. I can see for a half mile in any direction. Last few years we would see deer about every morning and evening is different directions. This year they are not showing up. I picked up 2 pails of apples off the ground and dumped them where we used to see deer travel. They laid there for a month untouched. Finally this morning they were gone. Going to put up a ladder stand tomorrow in the neighbors timber and see what happens there. Have the camera up already. Good luck AshAid, we have 2 months to go yet but after shotgun season it gets real tough here in Iowa. Army hunters - wish they would put a limit on the number of hunters. Have a couple groups that have 15 -20 guys that band together. This ain't hunting in my book.
most of my deer activity is currently nocturnal as well. gets frustrating for sure... things could change though
That’s the attitude I’m carrying now too, that with weather changing and colder temps are finally coming in that it definitely could and should change soon.... and here’s hoping yours changes soon as well
Thanks Chieffan and the same too you as well... it will change for us I’m sure of it... thanks for the post too, believe it or not very encouraging even though it is frustrating not seeing them in daylight hrs
