Hey guys, I started hunting late (around very late november-december) into last deer season and actually had a pretty successful season all things considered. At this point, I bowhunt only. I took 2 doe last year, one was pretty big, and then took a big gobbler in the spring. Anyway, I hunt in 5d, in Holland, PA to be exact. I have a few acres of woods that belong to us which is adjacent to woods owned by others. My neighbors have been riding their 4wheelers (on their property) every day around 4-7pm. They're very loud. I recently (within the last month) put out two trail cams- one at a feeder I set up, and one along a major deer trail intersection where I have a mineral site. All I am seeing on either camera as far as deer are the same 3 does and 2 fawns. Nothing at all antlered. I am starting to get worried the neighbor's may have pushed away the herd with their 4wheeler use. I know for a fact that there are big bucks in the area- I had a friend who has hunted the property for years take nothing less than 8 points every year the last 4 or 5 years. The neighbor's weren't riding ATV's every day those years though. And to top it off, he says he took them all within the first 3 weeks of the season. So it's a little concerning to me to see ZERO antlered activity at this time. I know it's early... but I am starting to worry I might have to find another spot to hunt for a trophy this year. The problem is, around here, finding land to hunt is like finding hen's teeth... am I being too worried?
I would first like to say, welcome to bowhunting.com, it's a great sight and people will chime in to help as much as they can. Right now, most bucks are tucked away in thick thick stuff trying to be secluded from other because they are shedding velvet and trying to find/ think of the best spot to get food this year. I would do a couple things in your shoes, 1) make sure I am staying out of the spots you are hunting as much as you can, check camera one every 10 days at MINIMUM! Don't get worried you're not seeing stuff and keep checking, it does more harm than good trust us. Also a mother option is maybe in the are riding on the left side of the property, move everything slowly to the farthest right side. Don't worry about deer not finding it they have a great since of smell and will find it very soon. But it is good you have does and fawns because if they stay around, during rut you will be prime time spot. Also check out this article on this other forum I have found that I found very cool that may help ease your mind with not having on your property right now. I give all credit to MK111 on TOO for this one GPS tracking early season bucks. Finally don't worry about all the amazing deer your friend shot in the past, deer patterns change and maybe your spot may now be a great rut spot due to doe activity being up, or maybe late season because of the food supply you have. I would do this if i was you and I strongly suggest doing it, fill your feeder up, dump 100 pounds of corn on the ground, go to a local apple orchard and get 4 or 5 bushels of apples and dump them right ontop of the corn, new batteries in camera and stay out for 2 weeks, and than watch your deer activity go up. Just make sure you stay out of their and out of your woods as much as you can
