Just wondering what everyones take is on seeing deer this year? I have been out about 10 times so far this year both mornings & afternoon sits. I have not seen deer like I think I should be seeing. I hunt about 300 acres that have tons of deer sign everywhere but I have only seen 3 does so far this year. By this time last year I had seen way more deer. so what everyone elses take on this are you deer sightings about the same as last year? better? or worst?
I'm seeing little in the way deer activity. Very little. I honestly believe that where I hunt deer numbers are just down. Hopefully though, the action will pick up next week with some pre-rut activity.
I have only seen between 40 and 50 deer so far this year, only one of which was a buck (a basket rack 8). Those numbers are way down from last year
I'm seeing a lot. Several deer per sit (my high is 18 out in front at one time). Mostly does, fawns, and about 4 different 1.5yr olds. One 2.5yr old 8 that I missed on the third sit
So far in about (guessing) 9 sits,,,5 Does, 7 Fawns, 5 bucks, the biggest being 100" However im seeing more early scrapes than ever before
In 4 sits I have seen exactly 20 deer, 2 AM sits and 2 PM sits. The land I hunt is primarily a morning place outside of the rut. I'd say it is about average thus far. Having the crops out already is a tremendous bonus, so hoping once the temps drop and remain there the activity will increase further. I only count legal shooting hours as on stand time. 1st sit PM: 1 button buck(harvested) 1 1/2 hours on stand 2nd sit PM: 1 button buck and 1 doe fawn together. 3 1/4 hours on stand 3rd sit AM: 3 does, 3 doe fawns, 2 spikes, 1 button and 1 undetermined fawn. 3 1/2 hours on stand 4th sit AM(today): 5 does, 1 forked spike and 1 undetermined fawn. 4 1/2 hours on stand
I just went through the numbers yesterday and compared them to last year. My deer sightings are down significantly, close to half of what they have been the last couple years. The good news is I'm seeing way more bucks than I have in years past and even a couple shooters. After 7 sits around 24 hrs in stand, I've seen 24 does/fawns, 9 bucks of which 2 were 110"-125". I'm alarmed by the numbers being down so much but at least still have deer. I've talked to others in the area that say their numbers are up this year so I'm not sure what to make of it.
I definitely have not seen deer like I have previous years. The last 3 years I have had very low deer numbers while hunting so I dont know whats going on. I have only seen about 10 this year since september.
I have hunted four times since the general bowhunting opener. I saw 3 doe on one of the sits. Been blanked the other three times. Part of that tells me I am hunting in decent buck areas because where I hunt, I cannot even remember one time that I saw does and a decent buck in the same area outside of the rut. I am not worried. I can remember one year where I hunted about 35 times yet only saw 15 TOTAL deer all year. I killed two bucks and a doe that year. So I would rather have quality shot opportunities as opposed to just seeing deer.
Three sits in NY's northern zone so far. I've seen exactly 0 deer, 1 red squirrel, and a moose. This makes about 10 straight sits over a period of 2 years in the northern zone of NY without seeing a deer. They are there though, and due to big woods and low pressure, they have a ton of potential to get big when you do see one. A big change for me though after years of hunting PA.
I've hunted HARD this year and have only seen a total of 3 deer, all does. Even the areas where there was a lot of sign during pre-season scouting have dried up and the sign is all stale. I'm hoping that the cooler temps might help around here, though. Was out this evening and actually got a little chilly in my stand -- but still no deer. I know they are there, but it seems they are outsmarting me this season.
this is what I've seen on camera but not in person! Got this guy on the camera but havent seen him around! Running out of season
I sat on the opener in the afternoon for 3 hours and dusted that 164 1/8 hog. Was out on the following friday and saturday afternoons for about 3 hours each sit. So far I have seen 2 bucks, 5 does. Not getting back out till 22nd due to work. Should expect big increase in activity by then.
Seeing more deer than i did last year. But the bucks havent started moving yet as the weather hasnt just really got cold enough yet even at nights... hopefully the rain next week will turn the weather around
I'm seeing way MORE deer. This could be based on me finally listening to my bro about where to go, when to go there and why. In our area, we have WAY more bucks this year. Not only 3.5yos and up, but ALL ages of bucks. I've only been hunting for 4 years, but, even my bro and our friends say that they've never seen this number of bucks, before. Strange.. I also noticed that there are a ton more button bucks this year, too. I see a doe at one spot I hunt pretty often and shes got twin buttons ! Cool stuff...They're SOO much fun to watch, too..They've got some personality..
I have been out 8 times so far, our season opened mid September. Opening night, I saw more deer in one sit, then I have ever seen. Probablt around a dozen. That next Wednesday, it started to rain, and in the next 2 days, we got 10" of rain. My hunting land is bordered on 2 sides by a river, so over 3/4ths of my land was under water for aboout a week. Since then, I have been out 7 times, and have seen 5 deer. I sure hope it comes back by the rut.
i have been crazy busy with weddings and trips and i have only been out twice... one of which it started to pour after an hour of being out. i saw a decent sized 4pt. and that was it and then tonight i saw 10 does or so... and then i saw a 4 and a 3 along with an 8 that came out behind them... the 3 walked the same path i did coming in and walked literally under my stand... kinda sucks they dont want us shooting small bucks out there but its still fun to see em... i would say the numbers are about the same as last year... buddy hunted the same place last weekend and saw 22 on the evening sit.
