Man, I really thought today was going to be the day to lay down some antler. Started out simple enough, I went back to my normal stand and sat there until about 7:15 and things just weren't looking promising. I think I may have overhunted this area or the summer logging done on the land has messed up their normal routes. Think it may be both with a little more weight on the logging. But knew nothing was going to move through. Anyhow, I decide I'm going to attempt a risky stand move. If the deer are moving, winds are gusting in the mid 20's already, I'm going to bump them for sure. If not then no harm no foul, it's still early enough to catch some late movers. As I get closer to the area I want to hunt I slow way down and start looking through every hole in the bushes and trees trying to catch a glimpse of any deer that may already be present. None visible, so now I need to make up my mind, the walnut ladder stand or a homemade angle iron job in the big oak. I opt for the walnut as it's closer to the woodline in this small valley flat. As I'm just about to pass the oak stand a deer starts blowing from just inside the woodline in front of the walnut stand. Dang, to the oak I go. The deer keeps blowing for about 30-45 seconds all the while I see tail after tail head out. Finally she stops and takes off herself, leaving me disheartened but ok, as I knew it was a risk. I didn't have time to do anything, shortly after they left the woods exploded with grunting and limbs cracking. I seen one deer running nose to the ground, then a second and then a third. All three of them out there running around in front of the walnut stand hot lapping in and out of the woods edge. I didn't have my camera mounted because of drizzle that was coming down and every time I thought they were gone and reached for it, they would come back out. Finally after about 3-4 minutes of them running around I managed to get the camera out and mounted back on my bow. By this time the frenzy had all but stopped and one straggler was left, I'm not sure if he was a fourth buck or one of the original three but he had calmed down. I gave a few uneducated grunts at him and got his attention but that's it. He went back in the woods and it got quiet. Once it was quiet enough, I snuck down and got up in the walnut stand. A half an hour later another 2 1/2 yr old came out, caught me by surprise so I drew on him not knowing exactly what he was. Didn't really have time to evaluate as he heard me draw making my mind up for me and headed towards the creek. Winds kicked up into the low 20's sustained and gusting into the low 30's. Swirling around and seen nothing else so climbed down at 10:30. I'll be back in this tree 45 before shooting time in the morning. Atleast I know does are moving through here still. Short video I made. Pretty sure these are both 2 1/2, first may be 1 1/2 though. Ignore the feeble attempt of my calling. Still like to know if the deer blowing brought those 3 initial bucks in or what happened there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwISs5PsvII
