Good Morning, I am fairly new to the site, but I have been extremely impressed with the knowledge and courtesy that I have encountered so far. So first of all, Thank you. Now onto my story and questions... Backdrop: I live and hunt in the Sandhill/Lowcountry of South Carolina. I was hunting travel corridors that intersect from bedding to a Acorn thicket(staging), that leads to a Soybean field. I was facing the west wind and the and the beans were to the east. Deer movement was from the bedding to the south. So, last night I went to my "bread and butter" Monday-Friday evening stand. I was a little late getting in, but from previous hunts I thought I could pull it off. As with every time you are late, I made as much noise as humanly possible getting into and finally setting up for the hunt. Nevertheless, I tried to focus. Sure enough just before dark I started seeing movement(7pmish). I hadn't been busted or blown out thus far. As more and more does and young bucks started making their way out, I was getting excited. Just before last light (7:20 ish) I heard it. The most aggressive alarm blow I have ever heard. Maybe 100 yards off in the brush. All hope was lost. I started getting ready to depart when I heard it again, He was closer. Then again, and again, and again. Every time closer than before. Til he had made his way within 30 yards or so from me. It was almost dark, I could only see the shadow moving when he finally made his way into the open. He moved around downwind of me for about 15 minutes blowing and stomping. I wanted a shot, but thought better of it. He was the Man on that hill, and he deserved a clean kill. I was using scent away, and coverscents. Several other does and young buck had come from the same direction. Trail Cam photos have revealed 2-200lb 150class deer in the area. Both 4 or 5 years old. Questions 1. Has this ever happen to anyone else? 2. What to do next? 3. Is that the dominant Buck?
Are you sure it was a buck? Did you get a look at him? If it WAS a buck, I doubt he's dominant... unless you verify you saw him, I doubt it was a buck. Dominant bucks will never let you know they were there if they encounter human scent; they'll simply slip off the other direction -- usually 100-150 yards before they ever get within sight and you'll never know you got busted. Does, on the other hand -- or possibly young bucks -- are more concerned with "alerting" their fellow herd members and calling you out. It's one more reason killing a big old buck is hard -- because you first have to make it past all the female noses and eyes. Welcome to the forum, by the way.
Thanks for the feedback Your right. But, I always want it to be a buck. I admit, I'm not certain it was a buck. Point taken. As far as scent, I do the ritual: Detergent/storage/Bathing/deo/ and then use cover scent, I think it is primos earth blend. Invisible? They did come directly down wind from me. 5 or 6 others didnt' make a sound coming from the same direction.
I'm with Greg on this one. No scent control is going to beat an old veteran buck. The only way to do that is to ensure that he doesn't get your scent. Don't hunt that spot unless the wind is right. When I hear someone say that they have a standard M-F set or stand I can almost guarantee that they aren't giving wind direction enough respect. You need as many different sets as there are different prevailing winds. Sounds like your set-up at that spot might be prime for playing with a decoy.
I'm with Greg to. I was thinking about the decoy. Like I said in the original, you guys are good. Most of you have been bow hunting alot longer than me. I hope I can keep all my buddies out of that stand long enough to get the perfect hunting setup. Thanks for all, and feel free to keep teaching me... "If you want to be good, find someone good and copy them"
It sounds to me like the deer may have somehow picked you off and wasn't smelling you but rather trying to get you to move, so it could identify you. as for scent control. I will peel an apple and take the peel with me. hang the fresh peel in the tree beside you, it can be just enough to make the difference. have been doing it for years, I hunt in a extremely high deer density area. it works!
To me, it sounds like it wasn't blowing to you. Deer make those noises to more than just humans. If it was continually getting closer to you, then I'd bet it wasn't alerted to you, but to something else instead. Probably not a buck, but could be. Hard to say
In my experiences, it is usually does that sound the alarm almost 95% of the time, but you never know. It'll be a mystery forever...
Sounds to me like a dominant doe..lol. Actually I do think does develope a pecking order as well? not so sure on that, but if it was blowing at YOU then it probably was NOT a buck and if it was alarming deer to YOU then why would it keep coming closer? Maybe yotes in the area? I'm going with Greg and Vendetta on this one.
