Weather took a down turn with rain a couple days ago and a skiff of snow on top of ice yesterday so didn't go out. Was planing on this afternoon but - - was 18° F this morning with 8 mph NE wind. Wind chill was at 7° and man did that wind bite. Not my kind of weather for sitting 15' off the ground and trying not to move for a few hours. Rest of the year don't look much better, in fact worse next Sunday with 6° morning temp. 40 years ago I night not have thought to much about it but there are a few things I did learn and remember over the years. One is the difference between "fun" and "dumb". I did learn a lot more about how the deer move with the big change in the crop/feeding areas. All the ground around their bedding area, which they are still using is either CRP or pasture. Couple patches of grass hay mixed in. Should have the whole 157A to myself for next year hunting on an access trade for hunting lease. Have to get rid of 3 stands on the area, placed without any permission and have been there for 2 or 3 years. NO HUNTING signs don't mean anything. 2 stands are not being used as I placed branches across the ladders. Made it look like the wind blew them down. Never moved all season. One has mildew growing on the straps. Will see if any activity this week. Starting to look towards Turkey season.
Yep I shut it down and started feeding. I could shoot a deer in the yard but as much as I love venison I can not shoot a fawn.
Been throwing out some apples along a fence line, couple gallons at a time. Wind falls and froze but the deer don't mind. I passed on a couple fawns too but would have taken a decent doe for sure. Snowing now lightly - talking 1.5" tonight. Might get brave and try it Tuesday evening.
