Across from my cabin (and in the middle of frickin nowhere), I see a truck every October with NC plates. The guy spends 1 week every season in the nastiest thicket I've ever seen. I know some shooter bucks use the thicket for bedding. I see them come and go often, but almost always after dark. This thicket has no real timber and is hell to penetrate! So I finally decided to man-up and go figure out exactly how he's hunting this nastiness. What I found is a little pond (about 10x20 yards in size) with tracks EVERYWHERE . On top of that, I located two trees large enough to support stands. What I don't know, is whether I should hunt this water-hole in the morning or evening. It's going to take either a south or east wind to hunt it (uncommon for this area) and I've got a feeling that I'm only going to get 1 or 2 sits at this location. So what's the verdict, morning or evening? And why?
If you can get in there without bumping deer I would hunt it in the afternoon. There is a better chance of the deer coming there for water in the heat of the afternoon in my opinion. Hang a camera there and then you will know :D
Is this public land? I am also with Pat on this one as I would hunt it in the afternoon also. The deer have been bedded for awhile now and they need to quench their thirst especially if it has been warm. Once the rut gets closer lets say the end of October then I would hunt the morning and sneak in their to catch a buck bedding late.Good Luck Josh!
That makes perfect sense. Thanks gents! And Tony, yeah I neglected to mention that it is on public land. I'm a little nervous about putting a cam out over there, but honestly, I'm thinking a guy has to be crazy to crawl into this crap... maybe it will be safe
Hey Im the other guy! Stay outta my spot!! haha, hey like they say, All is fair in love and war and public land hunting.
Hahahaha stop Kyle! I remember reading an article about a guy from Ohio famous for getting big bucks that used to have his wife drop him off at his hunting area because people used to look for his truck and hunt his spots. He did all the hard work and they took advantage. Josh never would have gone in there if it weren't for this guy. It's almost like you find this hot spot, put up a treestand and opening day you sneak to your stand and find someone in it.
Im not much for hunting someone elses spot, or even snooping around when they are not there. But if I were to hunt a water hole like you described, I would wait for an evening early season when the moon is over head / or under feet within the last couple hours of daylight. Sept. 18th thru the 20th look good if your season is open then? During the rut I would hunt it all day... We have had lots of chasing deer end up coming to our water holes in daylight during rut needing water from being over heated running around.
The guy was a no-show last season, so I'm all over it! And I'm doubting the he took anything out of there. If it were anything substantial anyway, one of the beighbors or the local general store would probably have known. Brett, Bob and Kyle... sumpin's goin' on the wall! And thanks for the advice, Dan. You know I would have likely been sending you my annual "WWDD" pm next! You know I put a premium on your input. Any knowledge you share with us is greatly appreciated!!
