One day last week I was hunting one of my great early season areas on some public land in Maryland. It didn't disappoint. This is my second season of hunting completely traditional.
I was seeing deer on and off all evening with no chance for a shot. As things progressed some deer, 6 total, made their way out of the thick stuff and came out below me. 2 small doe, a medium doe, a very large doe and a spike buck. The small and medium doe got behind me( I'm hunting from a climbing tree stand), the buck and big doe were still below me. The spike was offering me a decent 20 yard shot. I was just getting ready to draw when the big doe started towards me and was giving me a 10 yard broadside shot. I turned, started to draw on her and one of the deer behind me must have caught my movement and spooked, which sent all the deer back into the thick stuff.
It was an exciting night for sure. I wish I'd have gotten the opportunity to loose an arrow but it just wasn't in the cards. It certainly is one of the few times that I'd say there were too many deer.
Hard to beat that many eyes .
Last Saturday was our opening day. I had a similar experience. 5 does around my ladder stand. Would have taken the alpha doe (big'n) but didn't attempt a draw with so many eyes. I was amazed that none of them seemed to catch my scent.
It's still early, good luck!
One or two deer nearby is nice. They will usually alert you of other deer approaching, and seem to have a calming effect on other deer. However, much more than two and it becomes difficult to keep track of all those wary eyes and move without being detected.
That is fun having deer all around your stand...
Nerve racking...
That is fun having deer all around your stand...
Nerve racking...