Well I hunted in NC with Jeff in September, and I arrowed a doe in my backyard woods the last week of September, during the antlerless only season. However today was my first day during the open archery season on the military base I hunt. These are the grounds I hunt 95% of the time. We had an unusual East wind start the day off with it switching to the SE by the time I got into the woods. Most of the base was closed down due to training so I had to look at the contour maps and make a decision on a place I rarely hunt. So I headed out and got on stand about 1:45pm, near a creek on the north end of a ravine that led into the creek. I spooked some turkey on the way in, then they came back around 2:30. I "called" then with my stupid rendition of a turkey call, made up on the spot. THEY responded twice in 3 minutes! About 5 minutes later I see them, two gobblers. They were about 50 yards out across the creek. They came to the opposite side of the creek at 40 yards and began looking like they were going to fly across, but they did not. At 3:30 a small spike buck came by at 15 yards, but he got downwind of me and just eased back into the cover. At 3:50 two doe came within range at 15 yards. I didn't shoot. At 4pm while I am still watching the does, I hear some leaves crunching behind me and turn to see a nice 12-13 inch wide 4 pointer. He walks by at 3 yards. At 4:30 I see a doe and a fawn working down another trail on the creek. They walk by broadside at 12 yards and cross the creek. At 5pm I see two more doe cross the creek 40 yards off. At 5:30 another doe sneaks down 35 yards from and disappears. At 6:20, a fawn comes from across the creek at full speed and goes right under my stand. At 6:25 a doe with jet black ears comes walking across the creek looking for the fawn. She then walks right down the middle of the creek. I saw chipmunks, hawks, mallards fighting, blue herron, bass hitting prey, and 10 deer. Keep in mind that throughout the years hunting this base I average seeing about 1 deer a sit, with many days not seeing a thing. Best "opening" day for me, ever.
I scouted to within 300 yards of the place I set up at today, this past winter. I then looked at aerial maps of it and marked some spots for stand sites given the wind. However, today I went in and hunted 300 yards of where I plan on setting up a stand come the pre-rut. I didn't want to move too close to where I am going to be hunting in 20 days or so. I just winged it based on the wind and topography, and bam, it happened for 3 straight hours. I was amazed.
Very nice vs, and that's why we all can't wait for opening day! Fantastic day in the woods, mine have been similar and keep us coming back for more.
Mike, I was really hoping Mr. Big would be the last one through the area on the way out to the open fields. He never showed. But I learned a lot today about deer movement and the thermals just from observing how the deer moved through the landscape. It was awesome.
Landon, I think I finally did something right! Josh, I actually used some of the information I took from you to formulate the plan for this hunt. The first deer, a spike that showed his face came down exactly where I thought a buck would pass, based on the information you talked with me about at Jeff's. The 4 point walked a small bench around the perimeter of a little ridge that jetted out before falling off into the creek. Another thing Josh, I actually carried the arrow head you made for me today in the woods. I brought it for good luck.
Some of my best memories in the stand have nothing to do with sticking a buck or a doe but just being able to take it all in, it's what keeps me going back out there. That and the chance of sticking a big monster P&Y.
Jeff, I really do appreciate that. I may be able to make it down for a solid two-three days of hunting. And when I mean two-three solid days, I am hunting all day! I am off from October 31st-November 13th.
That is awesome, sounds like one heck of an opening day to me. Gotta love sitting 20' up and watching wildlife for an entire sit. Doesn't get much better than that! Good luck VS,sounds like a killer spot
Very cool VS, and there is no doubt in my mind that we can have great days in the woods without ever shooting a thing!
