I did some thinking other day after seeing posts in the past and present about how many deer you have got or see each season or shots per season or what have you. I just realized I have been bow hunting 19 years. 15 of those have been very serious miss only a few days the entire archery season and many seasons hunting every single day. I had the fortune of having state public land close to home where my parents could drop me off up until I was old enough to drive. I have 6 or 7 large state lands with in 20 min of my home. I have tried my best to learn deer and study deer. Read book after book article after article. Browse through forums looking for answers. Now while I have come across some great books and most mag article cover basic principles. To say I have not put in the time and worked through adverse weather and been out in the mix of things trying to put pieces together would be an understatement. Diligent practice, scouting map reading all that. Literally beating myself up and making work out of this sport I love so dear. I counted and I have taken 5 deer with the bow. And I can tell you I have not screwed up on too many animals. I am lucky if I get a shot in a archery season. Sometimes going a week to 2 weeks without seeing a deer. It's very difficult to gain Experiance when it's like this. Shot opportunity Experiance and learnin deer behavior is tough. Im not exactly sure what direction i want to head in my bowhunting career. keep pounding it out start taking a laid back approach. I do want to get things figures out before my son comes of age.
Before I go any further I want to say that you guys huntin public land know exactlmwhere I'm coming from ESP places like pennsylvania, Michigan ect. And those of you who have to hunt head place year in and year out my hats of to ya. ESP those of you who get it done. All this was bringing me to my thought of my son who I will be taking out, now this is along time from now... I want to be able to put him on game so he don't have to deal wih what I have. Hunting is hunting but it's hard to dedicate yourself under these conditions. And you mite say why dont you get off public land. Well there is so many here that hunt and because of the deer numbers and issues with the state and there deer management programs, no one wants you hunting there land. They all hunt too.
So I want to both thank and give you other advice. To those of you on this site who go out of there way to help people learn from your Experiance is just awesome and thank you so much and also post pics and stories of your hunts is awesome it helps keep guys like me spirits up and helps keep our heads up its possible for it to come together. And those of you in my kind Of situation. Keep your heads up this season. Stop beating yourself up. It may not be you, but the area you live in or the places you have to hunt. Keep working at it and try to have fun and stop putting so much pressure on yourself. In your area you may have access to private land. And I will tell you before you get to far into your hunting career, find some so you can enjoy un pressured deer hunting and see and taking game. All the reading and scouting you do will not help you learn if the deer are just not there. And you need real in the woods experiance, you can only learn so much from a book. I know we all just enjoy this bowhunting but you want to put animals on the ground too. Why we are out here! Keep your heads up. Keep the faith!!
Great write up!
I too hunt mostly sate land and big woods country. It is much harder but much more rewarding on many levels. I personally would not change it for anything. I love doing out of state hunts but ntohing compares to being able to hike miles into remote country where you can sit for a whole day and never hear a man made sound or see any evidence of anyone ever being there before.
I'm glad you have the right attitude. I have been blessed living in the west with lots of public ground and with good mule deer hunting most of my life. Elk has been a different game for me. Until a couple of years ago most of the hunting around my area was a draw only and one OTC unit that is very tough and 70% private. In 15 years of hunting it hard I've only had handful of opportunities come my way and I've done better than most. In fact in some drainages I cant park my truck there because most of the locals will know I'm on elk, then it gets crowded. My success rate went up when I quit beating myself up and slowed down and enjoyed what I had. Now that they have opened up some new elk units around me I still find myself drawn to hunt my hard earned elk spots of my past. This year I harvested a cow on one of the new units and I almost feel robbed. Keep at it and remember it the journey that matters.
I have been at this a long time and have yet to harvest a deer. I have had only one shot with Trad gear and that was a long time ago.....[1971]!! I continue to do this because I truly enjoy the time spent in the hunt and even time spent getting ready. I guess if it was all about the kill I would have quit a long time ago. I will agree it makes a big difference where you hunt and the number of deer in the region.Last year I saw more deer only because I got to hunt some private land thanks to a friend. Keep at it and I hope you can have many hunts with your son when the time comes.
double... :banghead:
Sorry, but you have to take all that.time and energy and put it into finding better.places to hunt!! You are not far from.Ohio, go knock On doors. I did and gained access to hundreds of acres of private ground! Funny thing is I have Great property right here At home! Some of The best In all of.NY state. I believe you have to start HUNTING For better areas! I hunt to kill Stuff, if I went several years without a deer I would question What I was doing. I know a lot of folks who hunt only public land and still kill deer every year, time to figure out What your doing wrong! Sorry but as I said look elsewhere cause What your doing is not WORKING!
A. Hunting isn't about killing, so enjoy the time in nature and learn from it.
but
B. If your going 2 weeks without seeing a deer, you need to find different place to hunt.
I hunt public land in NY and PA, and its rare I don't see deer, often they may not be within range or come by my stand..... but I see deer.
Brad,
Thanks for your post. It sums up my feelings and experience hunting here in NH over the years where deer numbers are sparse. Keep seeing the "big picture" and stay after it.
Best regards,
Todd
RedShaft, I have also gone a whole season and not had a shot, although I have seen deer here in MI.
One suggestion I would make, and it has nothing to do with hunting, is to break your post up into paragraphs so those of with short attention spans can take it in smaller bites :)
Try moving setups and don't sit the same spot more than twice if you aren't seeing deer. They are there it's just a matter of finding them. I hunt public land a lot and see deer every time I'm out. I greatly enjoy my time in the woods regardless of the outcome but when it comes down to it I am there to kill deer. I think you should take a more proactive approach. You have the right idea though! Just keep your head up and have fun. :)
Studying books etc is good, but there's no substitute for being in the woods. Something isn't working for you. I don't know what, but it sounds like it's time to shake things up.
That might mean a new area, but it might just mean you need to rethink your approach.
Sorry folks hunting is about killing, it is the main reason we hunt. IF not carry a camera if you don't plan to kill anything. I get a kick everytime I hear that, than what is it about? Spending time in nature? We could do that without carrying a weapon. I don't mean to be crass but tired of the poilitcal correct garbge. This site is a hunting site and although everything leading up to the kill is great, the end goal is killing what you are hunting!!! Shawn
I pass two different nice pieces of private land to hunt public land almost every hunt. I like to stretch my legs and the challenge. If you have deer and large areas of public land the best tip I can give is put your hiking boots on and find poop! Sometimes I think we overthink this hunting stuff. You don't have to be a wildlife biologist or a tree expert to figure out that fresh droppings equal deer.
Ditch the tree stands until you find the deer and actually see one walk within sight of a tree you want to hunt. We are all creatures of habit. Don't expect to get different results if you do the same things year after year.
Rob
I'm sorry Shawn.......your missing out on a lot! But we are are allowed to have our own opinion. It's got nothing to do with being politically correct.
I'm sorry Shawn.......your missing out on a lot! But we are are allowed to have our own opinion. It's got nothing to do with being politically correct.
Redshaft,
You got my attitude it sounds like and about the same type of hunting situation. I travel 3 hours to my cabin and hunt all public land and near home I got crappy public land within a mile of my house that I hunt. I much prefer to hunt near my cabin buts it's tough blowing the gas money and finding the time with wife and two younger boys at home. But I keep at it and do what I can.
I'd rather spend a week hunting with you on public land than paying for the chance on private land.
Great write up, but how do you keep going? I have to agree to a certain degree with Shawn. If not given the opportunity to succeed, how do you know you will? The anxiety of one shot a season (even though this is what I strive for on mature bucks) would drive a person insane.
Don't know where you are in PA, and don't know where Ron is in NY, but if you come to Delaware I can put you on a deer.....easy peasy.
I grew up in Delaware and hunted Pa and Maryland. I use to get dropped off to because my Dad did not have time to take me but when he did, it was great. My Dad could put them right in your lap. When I was a teenager, I was a nightmare on deer. As I grew older, I moved to NC because of hunting. That's right, I moved because of deer hunting. That area just got to crowded and it was a chore to find a place to hunt or you had to be in a lottery and stay within a 20yrd designated area. I can find plenty places to hunt now but mostly stay on my own property that my Dad bought. My parents followed me to NC a few years after I moved. As I get older,49 now I will only shoot when the mood hits me. I get just as much enjoyment by providing the deer with better habitat.. I try to grow bigger healthier deer. I pass several 2.5 year old deer every year. I would rather shoot long nose does. When I do have a good deer to hunt, it seems someone shoots it from the road with a rifle.
I know where you guys are coming from , life changes and so does your hunting. Tim in NC
I hunted on public land exclusively in Pennsylvania until 2005. I don't know where you are at, but I had quite a bit more success, and not necessarily from skill. I would say you need to branch out a little bit in Pennsylvania. Try hunting State Game lands in Centre County near Scotia Range, just outside of State College. Unless things have changed dramatically, I think you may have better success there. I killed a lot of deer there.
AHHHHHHH Grasshopper, You will get the Deer when you become the Deer.
Don't give up, A lot of good suggestions here. Scout and find Deer- then hunt. :thumbsup:
I can feel your pain, but for me it's the pigs. Here in California, we have a huge pig population that you can hunt all year round. And yet, 95% of pigs taken are on private lands. It really sucks to try to find public land pigs. I have seen two running from about 100 yards away in all my years of hunting them here. I feel like I may have to go for the private land if I ever want to harvest a pig in my lifetime.
Ron, you don't get it. I miss out on nothing and get everything and more than you guys get. I also get the final results. I love everything about the hunt itself probably as much if not more than most, but if you don't think the hunt is not about the kill in the end you are sorely mistaken. If you feel that way bring a camera, I have actually petted a wild deer while it slept in a falling snow storm. Would of been an easy kill. I don't carry a camera or if I do its on my phone. Just tired of "I don't hunt to kill something!" Maybe that is why guys that feel that way don't kill stuff as it means their heart is'nt into it!! Shawn
Some folks hunt for venison, some folks hunt for horns, some folks hunt for solitude, some folks hunt to socialize and be a part of something....some folks hunt just to spend time in nature.....with or without a bow..............I happen to enjoy venison....so am thrilled if I can put a deer in the freezer......very few of us are starving...so if hunting is just about killing, I doubt we would be talking about all the deer we pass up..........It is nice that we all can choose our own hunting style and other opinions really mean absolutely nothing.
REDSHAFT,
sorry this thread got off topic....I agree public land can be tough hunting...the deer get pressured and can go nocturnal or move very little before dark...my advice is to go in further, hunt the thick areas, and go into areas that hunters do not like to trek...thats where the deer will be.....I also agree with others that it doesn't hurt to knock on doors.....mow the old ladies lawn for hunting rights....the small 5 and 10 acre parcels can hold some tasty venison...good luck this season !
I guess its all about what you want to get out of it.
If you want to see more deer then do something different. I know its hard when you are in a sparsely populated area. The biggest problem when you dont see many deer is you tend to let your guard down.
knock on doors and lay down some boot rubber on public ground. I even will walk around with a bow inn hand during perfect hunting times. I would be wasting my time and mad at myself if I ever sit in a spot I deem only fair. I dont get much time to hunt therefore want to maximize my time in the woods.
If I am learning a new public spot, I will walk around during peak rut if I have to in order to find a good spot.
Its hard for a youngster to stay interested when they dont see anything.
I like to do as Rob mentioned. Keep walking until you find a lot of fresh poop.
Think about it, deer poop about as much as people. If you find a spot with a Ton of poop, they must spend a lot of time there. If a spot looks mediocre and has very sparse sign, keep moving.
I have a place where deer trails look Huge but they dont use them. not sure if they are seasonal or just old but it gets traveled by 1 or 2 deer a week. Even though the spot looks good, i dont even consider sitting there unless I am strapped for time or just need to get out.
Again, Its all about what you want. Best of luck.
QuoteOriginally posted by jacobsladder:
Some folks hunt for venison, some folks hunt for horns, some folks hunt for solitude, some folks hunt to socialize and be a part of something....some folks hunt just to spend time in nature.....with or without a bow..............I happen to enjoy venison....so am thrilled if I can put a deer in the freezer......very few of us are starving...so if hunting is just about killing, I doubt we would be talking about all the deer we pass up..........It is nice that we all can choose our own hunting style and other opinions really mean
absolutely nothing.
REDSHAFT,
sorry this thread got off topic....I agree public land can be tough hunting...the deer get pressured and can go nocturnal or move very little before dark...my advice is to go in further, hunt the thick areas, and go into areas that hunters do not like to trek...thats where the deer will be.....I also agree with others that it doesn't hurt to knock on doors.....mow the old ladies lawn for hunting rights....the small 5 and 10 acre parcels can hold some tasty venison...good luck this season !
Well Said, I like to tie tags as much as the next guy, but some of my most satisfying and soul fulfilling hunts involved no kill at all.
I hunt for the thrill not the kill! My choice! I choose!
I don't mean to ruffle any feathers, but I gotta go with Shawn on this one. Find better land. I will admit I don't know anything about hunting up north. We've got a lot of deer and hogs here, but I have to travel some to get to them. The public lands close to me are not great, so I don't hunt them. I travel 2 or 3 hours to get to my spots, but usually shoot multiple critters per year.
I've got 2 kids still at home and money's tight these days, so I just do 3 or 4 long weekends per year instead of every weekend.
If you're seeing so few deer, it is time to reexamine where you hunt and perhaps how you hunt. Killing a critter doesn't depend on how much time you spend in the woods, it's how you spend the time in the woods. Good luck.
Public land can be tough, but there are deer out there. Public land is what I hunt the most. If you aren't coming across deer, then something is out of whack. I know I'm in Ohio, but there are deer in PA as well.
If you are hunting good food sources, deer should be coming to your location. Some areas are low in deer numbers, but the deer have to be there somewhere. Have you hunted white oaks?
Good luck and I respect your commitment!
You hit the nail on the head, you can't kill what is not there. You must find spots that have big deer, and it can be done on public land.
A week trip to a better place, Midwest could be better thn an entire season in a dead zone.
It's a sacrifice. I travel to hunt, I don't get to hunt as much, but my chances and success has risen 100 percent. I save my pennies and vacation and do DIY hunts all over.
Thank you Shawn, for reminding me why I dont visit here much anymore. Rather than being supportive and offering constructive ideas or comments, you lash out with the egotistical " Ive killed more critters than you have, so obviously you suck at hunting mentality ".
I agree that we hunt to kill and I also understand the joy of the hunt, blood or no blood, but if you read the post that this man wrote, he is offering encouragement and best wishes for those not as fortunate as yourself who have access to private property.
Hunting private property is a privilege not a right and for many, that privilege is never granted, no matter how many doors you knock on.... so for guys like you, consider yourselves blessed, as it doesnt happen for all.
Shawn....project literacy.....getcha some! and then maybe you will understand the post, though I doubt that you will ever understand the true message that the post delivers.
Having spent six years chasing blacktail here in western Washington state I feel you. Pile of tag soup. I learn something each year so not a waste. This year I am giving eastside mulies and Michigan whitetail a try to "get something under my belt". I suspect I will make my way back to the blacktail ghost.
Moleman, I was duragatory and never boasted and was not egotistical just being honest. I wish nothing but the best for the gentlemen in the post. You my friend are wrong, took me 14 years of asking politely every year to get the area I hunt in a bow only area, never say never. Moleman you obviously don't get it. I was actually being constructive, if like the post starter and Ron W and maybe you yourself are not killing deer than obviously the something is wrong with their approach. 42 years and one shot is not good and I am glad Ron keeps at it, but I am sorry not just me but tons of folks I know hunt properties that have only a few deer per square mile and they manage a kill every few years. As far as understanding the post, I do obviously more than you!! I appreciate what he was saying, still does not change the facts. Young people are the future and young people get bored very quickly not seeing game and give up too quickly. No reason it has to be that way, just have to start thinking different and changing things up thats all!! Shawn
I also should apologize, not for what I said but for getting off topic!! Definition of Hunting: to pursue or seek game for the purpose of catching or killing. I wish everyone the best of luck. I do hunt to kill and that is not my only reason but by definition that is what it is!! Otherwise we are pursuing game for the love of nature. Best of luck to all who choose to actually hunt!! Shawn
QuoteOriginally posted by moleman:
Thank you Shawn, for reminding me why I dont visit here much anymore. Rather than being supportive and offering constructive ideas or comments, you lash out with the egotistical " Ive killed more critters than you have, so obviously you suck at hunting mentality ".
I agree that we hunt to kill and I also understand the joy of the hunt, blood or no blood, but if you read the post that this man wrote, he is offering encouragement and best wishes for those not as fortunate as yourself who have access to private property.
Hunting private property is a privilege not a right and for many, that privilege is never granted, no matter how many doors you knock on.... so for guys like you, consider yourselves blessed, as it doesnt happen for all.
Shawn....project literacy.....getcha some! and then maybe you will understand the post, though I doubt that you will ever understand the true message that the post delivers.
Sorry man, but some of your comments are out of line. Shawn's first comments were constructive and his advice was spot on. His subsequent posts were responses to people whose advise was essentially 'don't worry about not killing many deer'. That is their take on it, and his is different.
Moleman
:clapper:
ChuckC
QuoteOriginally posted by moleman:
Thank you Shawn, for reminding me why I dont visit here much anymore. Rather than being supportive and offering constructive ideas or comments, you lash out with the egotistical " Ive killed more critters than you have, so obviously you suck at hunting mentality ".
I agree that we hunt to kill and I also understand the joy of the hunt, blood or no blood, but if you read the post that this man wrote, he is offering encouragement and best wishes for those not as fortunate as yourself who have access to private property.
Hunting private property is a privilege not a right and for many, that privilege is never granted, no matter how many doors you knock on.... so for guys like you, consider yourselves blessed, as it doesnt happen for all.
Shawn....project literacy.....getcha some! and then maybe you will understand the post, though I doubt that you will ever understand the true message that the post delivers.
Well, I was glad that you had moved on, guess your back to tell us how enlightened and "Traditional" you are. :rolleyes:
"Find where the deer are. Hunt there." Fred Bear
It sound simplistic,, but it's about as good a piece as I've ever received. If I wanted a trophy deer, I scout a lot more, talk to the rural mail carriers and school bus drivers. Stop and chat with a farmer when you see them out working. I'm a meat hunter, and the local farmers are happy to have me take whatever I can. I dodn't leave a mess behind and always offer a stick of summer sausage come Thanksgiving. "A man's gifts make room for him."
QuoteOriginally posted by RedShaft:
I did some thinking other day after seeing posts in the past and present about how many deer you have got or see each season or shots per season or what have you. I just realized I have been bow hunting 19 years. 15 of those have been very serious miss only a few days the entire archery season and many seasons hunting every single day. I had the fortune of having state public land close to home where my parents could drop me off up until I was old enough to drive. I have 6 or 7 large state lands with in 20 min of my home. I have tried my best to learn deer and study deer. Read book after book article after article. Browse through forums looking for answers. Now while I have come across some great books and most mag article cover basic principles. To say I have not put in the time and worked through adverse weather and been out in the mix of things trying to put pieces together would be an understatement. Diligent practice, scouting map reading all that. Literally beating myself up and making work out of this sport I love so dear. I counted and I have taken 5 deer with the bow. And I can tell you I have not screwed up on too many animals. I am lucky if I get a shot in a archery season. Sometimes going a week to 2 weeks without seeing a deer. It's very difficult to gain Experiance when it's like this. Shot opportunity Experiance and learnin deer behavior is tough. Im not exactly sure what direction i want to head in my bowhunting career. keep pounding it out start taking a laid back approach. I do want to get things figures out before my son comes of age.
Before I go any further I want to say that you guys huntin public land know exactlmwhere I'm coming from ESP places like pennsylvania, Michigan ect. And those of you who have to hunt head place year in and year out my hats of to ya. ESP those of you who get it done. All this was bringing me to my thought of my son who I will be taking out, now this is along time from now... I want to be able to put him on game so he don't have to deal wih what I have. Hunting is hunting but it's hard to dedicate yourself under these conditions. And you mite say why dont you get off public land. Well there is so many here that hunt and because of the deer numbers and issues with the state and there deer management programs, no one wants you hunting there land. They all hunt too.
So I want to both thank and give you other advice. To those of you on this site who go out of there way to help people learn from your Experiance is just awesome and thank you so much and also post pics and stories of your hunts is awesome it helps keep guys like me spirits up and helps keep our heads up its possible for it to come together. And those of you in my kind Of situation. Keep your heads up this season. Stop beating yourself up. It may not be you, but the area you live in or the places you have to hunt. Keep working at it and try to have fun and stop putting so much pressure on yourself. In your area you may have access to private land. And I will tell you before you get to far into your hunting career, find some so you can enjoy un pressured deer hunting and see and taking game. All the reading and scouting you do will not help you learn if the deer are just not there. And you need real in the woods experiance, you can only learn so much from a book. I know we all just enjoy this bowhunting but you want to put animals on the ground too. Why we are out here! Keep your heads up. Keep the faith!!
Buddy, for sure something isnt right. Private property isnt always the answer. The private property that I mostly hunt is small and surrounded by whitetail wasteland where every deer gets shot, tag or no tag. I hunt it for the sake of safety and familiarity mostly. Keep looking. Im sure there is something better not far from where you live. If not change your tactics til you find out what works for you.
There are folks here on this forum who have done far worse than your 5 deer in a whole lot more years so you are doing something right. Focus on what made those hunts successful and concentrate on those specifics. Good luck to you and your son. Keep him involved and soon you wont care about your deer and other game, you'll be more pumped about his than you could ever imagine. :campfire:
I know how you feel. I was feeling that way about 6 yrs ago, so my buddy and I totally changed areas. we started to ride bikes way back. And we started to see elk. Same thing with deer. I was hunting the same way every time and it didn't work but I kept doing the same thing over and over. Once we changed how we hunted we got into alot more game.
That still doesn't guarentee anything. In those 6 yrs each year I have had elk and/or deer in bow range and either botched the shot(twice) or the wind (feels like 500x). But the chances are there.
It's funny guys bring up the poop thing. Stupid simple but I can think of an area I hunt that I havent seen alot of sign but keep hunting it without scouting it real good. Might have to go for a walk about.
One last tip. Talk to your local game warden. Usually they are pretty friendly and willing to help. And they know the areas pretty well.
Good Luck, Brandon
Wow! I am very fortunate here in Ohio. We have a lot of public land that guys kill deer on every year. Lots of private land as well. I will in part throw in with Shawn here. Maybe not all about the killing but it's a big part. I take pleasure in the whole process and if im not preparing venison for my friends and family than a huge huge part is missing for me. If I go a day or two without having deer under me, I will change things up. More times than not were passing on shots here but we almost always see deer, and that is an essential part of it for me. don't think I could do it long term if I wasn't seeing deer and experiencing the feeling of anxiety/anticipation when I hear them coming. It's almost a type of high for me. Just my 2 cents I hope it turns around for you.
Read my posts please definitely not all about The kill, but why hunt if that isn't The main goal!! Shawn
Thank you guys for the advice and I thank those for the pm's.
I will try to hit on everyone's key points and try to explain about each. So bear with me. My post was mostly about guys who are huntin public land or are in situations like me to keep at it and don't give up. Keep the faith. The faith that the next week, day, hour, minute will be your chance. That chance you try so hard for all season. And to show you where I stand so you get an idea what some go through and are up against.
When a man gets off work and is able to hunt he going to. Instantly you hit a road block. Time... By the time you get home from work, change, drive, hump it in. Your time on stand is way limited. And that's before the time changes. When it does like it does right before the rut. You are REALLY limited in how far you can go. And it also matters how far from home a man works. So he is in a bind. You have to find spots that can fit. That means within a reasonable distance and with a reasonable walk.
We have parking areas and most places it's a huff to get to a decent place away from others. So you can't get too far during the week. Or you will be walking through the area at a time deer are moving.
We I have found there is very few places you can get back and away from others. I think you would be surprised at how far guys are going in. Most others are going deeper too. And you can only get so far back before you run into private ground meets state land or your into a place that others can access it from another side. And I'm telling ya guys are goin in. This is pennsylvania. We hunt deer this is what Pennsylvanians do. Sisters, brothers, mothers, paps, even grandmothers. Everyone and there brother hunts around here it's unbelievable. Unles you experienced it you don't understand.
That leaves a guy with the weekend. Now we can only hunt Saturdays in pa. No Sunday hunting. And you can bet everyone is out there on Saturday. That is really the only day a guy with weekends off can travel to a spot out of my circle. My circle being where I can drive to hunt after work and still have time to do it. And our season starts sat oct and ends sat nov. 16th. that's 7 days to hunt an area out of my circle. That is time to get it done. But scoutin and putting in enough time to learn a far away area from home for a sat hunt. You have to weigh the odds and figure. And you guys know how much time you have to put in to learn your good areas let alone areas a few hours away or even more. By we have talked about really trying to do that. I'm not driving hours and hours away to hunt.
Finding private land is really futile. It's hard. None wants you hunting. Cause they all mostly hunt. And you can bet there family or friends do as well and there not going to let you in there. Themselves, family or freinds. Even most private ground around here guys are not seeing nearly the deer. I talk to them and its no hit spot. Now there are places that are good but there no way your gettin access. Best I can hope for is to really luck out and stumble upon some sometime. And believe me I'm allways ears and have my eyes open. To give ya a point. My freinds best friend owns land n he will not let him hunt there. Just way it is. My brothers farther in law owns about 70 acres. The hunting honestly stinks and they use plots and do habitat stuff and they barley hunt it. They now have been leasing ground out of state. I for one will not pay to hunt a lease. ESP not in this time with my family. Maybe someday.
I`m with Shawn on this one respectfully of course the same way he intended his post. Hunting is about killing and thats what I go to the woods to do. If I had to move or something to a place with no critters I would hunt the best land I could find there but save vacation time and at least make a trip somewhere there are some game every year. I admire you guys that hunt poor land and keep going.If I hunt a week on public land around here and don`t see critters I get mad at myself because my scouting had been poor. Good post and great job of keeping it nice.RC
I keep going cause I love bowhunting. And it is tough in have though of quitting and just hunting with rifle. But I come around places like trad gang and it helps keep the fire burning n helps me "keep the faith." Please don't knock these other and come down on them. It really is tough. And it's hard for those to comprehend just how we can grunt it out, day in day out season after season. We may be missing something we may be doing something wrong too. That why I'm constantly trying to learn all I can. But I really think high pressured public land deer are a different animal. They are survivors! When I take a deer be gun or bow I just sit there and admire it. They are unbelievable. ESP in the places they live here and how hard they are hunted. I honestly don't even know how a deer can make it through state land In a hunting season around here.
I absorbs all that is said and try to put it together. I am currently trying to adapt and fingers new things out. When I get it. I'm probably going to write a book.( always tell myself that) this season as I said in other threads I'm going to hunt the odd places or places along the roads where other drive or walk by. I will still him my deep areas. But this is you to be a real trial year for us. I will continue trying and adapting new things until I get it. Or I will eventually stumble onto something. Thanks guys a appreciate the advice!!!
I could be doing stuff wrong. But when everyone is saying the same thing around here it's hard agree. I maybe doing something wrong n I don't know. But like I said unless I get into animal. It's hard to learn when your always making mistakes it seems like. And can't get on deer to learn from.
Thanks guys! Your brother of the bow, RedShaft
I'll never get my view said as clearly as it's already been said by RC.. "Thank you my friend!"
I enjoy every hunt....I don't kill stuff most of the time but it's not for lack of wanting to, it just didn't happen that time.
I also soak up all of the other "good stuff" while I'm out there wanting to "kill" just as I am sure Shawn is.
On a different note, there isn't ever a need for personal attacks... I don't care who you are or how long you've been here or how long you've been hunting.
Keep the respect even when there is honest disagreement.
Nuff said...off my soap box.
God bless,Mudd
PS: accept my apologizes if anything I've said offends you.
RC and Mudd nicely put! Redshaft ever thought of taking a few days off of work to hunt? I know you said you don't want to travel but even if you just went a few hours away where there was good hunting seems like that would make up for a whole seasons worth of poor hunting. Just a thought. Good luck to you.
I think Shawn and Redshaft have a lot in common. For both, I think, the hunt is all about hope. Killing is the realization of that hope. Having that hope is what drives you to hunt, but the experience (though still worthwhile) is incomplete without the realization.
Redshaft, I feel your pain. A lot of folks don't realize the hunting pressure/culture of Pennsylvania, and no hunting on Sundays has always been a point of contention for me. Getting to hunt during weekdays is a key. Whatever you can do to accomplish that will help. Even with all that pressure, the deer will be somewhere and can be had. Good luck.
No hunting on sundays!? That's basically sharia law! You guys should do it anyway, get the citation, and take it to court! How can you let religious beliefs of 200+ years ago dictate your life and state law!? I'm no atheist, but I'd support them if they fought this law. Crazy. You don't have to put up with it, fight it! It's what makes this country great.
Very few people get to hunt as much as they want.
Add things like big woods, and heavy pressure and the odds quickly stack against you.
ADAPT!...
Hunt only during the most productive times. If you are not seeing deer in three or four sits, do something different. Shooting skills are paramount...if you only get ONE shot opportunity in a year, then you cannot afford to miss.
In everything we do, there are sacrifices to achieve a goal.
Choose what you sacrifice as carefully as a stand location. It`s true that you cannot kill a deer from the couch....UNLESS you put your couch in the right spot. FIND THAT SPOT!
Victory hunter
I do take vacations. I usually take a week off either the last week or second to last during the rut. Last year I was off and see 3 deer. On dark to dark hunts during the rut. And this year I promised myself because of years of this I decided to spend that week with my family instead. I saved 3 single days for archery. Will see what happends.
I know what you guys are saying but I get on so few a deer I really can't figure them out. I'm trying like hell though. I'm trying to adapt. I'm tryin..
Some of you said about poop. That's funny because on Sunday I walked and scouted for just over 3 hours and found 1 pile. I told myself that place is a last resort. But at times during the rut. That place will produce. Because deer will come off posted ground into the state lands looking for or chasing does. Few... But I luck into one here and there. Because they won't live on the state lands in this place. Only come over at night to eat the white oaks.
Redshaft - -where are you in PA?
South central pa. Blair county
If you go to my post about funnels there is a link to map. You can look around and see the state lands in green. It's similar to google maps. Acme mapper
It depends what each hunter wants. In Michigan, there's some really good public land and some really poor public land. Around my land in the central NWLP, public land hunters have as good a chance as private land hunters, if they plays his cards right and research the lands with habitat improvements. In fact, habitat wise, much of the local public land is BETTER than the local private land, since much of it has been recently timbered and managed.
Hunters are often creatures of habit and tradition. Many times, hunters will go to the same public land someone in their family has been hunting for 40 years. However, the deer habitat/hunting is nothing like it was 40 years ago.
Unless you want the solitude of hunting the "big woods" of the UP or "farther north" northern Michigan and don't really care about seeing much game, if one goes a couple weeks without seeing a deer in most of northern Michigan, they need to do some legwork and find a new spot, even maybe a new county. The public land by my land has as nice of deer on the buck pole every year as the private land and sometimes more bucks and better bucks, as the public lands around here are patchworked in between private farms and much of the public land has good aspen management, thus deer.
You really need to find somewhere new to hunt...that is the best advice you have been given. I rarely go a hunt without seeing a deer, and have deer in bow range most hunts. Not because I'm so great, but because there are plenty of deer where I hunt.
Best of luck to ya!
Mojostick, I agree completely. We have a wealth of good public land here in central and lower MI.
Gringol, I certainly wouldn't advocate that strategy. Aside from eating up a bunch of money for legal fees and fines, it would accomplish nothing except eventually some jail time and loss of hunting privileges. Some intense lobbying for Sunday hunting would be far more effective, especially if the local conservation organizations could be encouraged to back the idea.
If i was in your shoes i would get a few game cameras to see what is going on in my spots. I also would find a spot out of state, depending on where you are in PA, Ohio could be close or NJ etc. Then i would do some long weekend hunts out of state. My hunting spot is 1 1/2 hours away from my home and i leave for work at 6:45am and don't get home until 7:00pm so weekend hunting and days off are all it is for me. I plan on being a lot more productive this year since the cameras tell me which spots the deer actually move through during shooting light.
You're probably right, bladepeek, but you PA guys should not take that no hunting on sundays lying down. There is no game or land management reason for it. It is purely a vestige of religious zealots pushing their beliefs on everyone. And it sounds like it cuts redshaft's hunting time in half.
Agree
Use the resources we all pay for. If in Michigan, contact the USFS and a ranger station in the Huron/Manitsee National Forest. They typically have maps showing all the timbering being done and what has been done.
You won't find too many deer in wide open, old growth forest. Deer like "edge habitat", just as trout like a "seam" in a river.
Find well managed public forest habitat, with newer growth, and you'll likely find the best public land around.
Here's a map link showing forest ages of some of the National Forest...
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/hmnf/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5275162
Just a couple things to say
First off, my apologies to Shawn, as part of my post was way off base.
Secondly, I will NOT apologize for being opinionated and out spoken, even though it might not be popular or even disagreeable to some.
Third, I hold no ill will towards Shawn, id hunt or have a cold one with him any time. Opinions vary, and the fact his differed from mine, was no reason for the lashing that I handed out.
Dont get me wrong! My opinion still stands! but my personal attack was not called for.
Paul
If I hunted two weeks without seeing a deer I would definitely find a new spot. I have say I am spoiled here in Maryland. I can't remember going two days without seeing a deer. I would suggest finding someone with experience to help you out. Not sure where you are located but I am from Beaver County PA and the area is full of deer. Closer you get the Pittsburgh the more you will see.
not seeing many deer an seeing too many are in a way one of the same.neither seem right.overall its lack of balance.I see a lot of deer an from that I have learned a lot fast. I got to become a better shot faster.I have learned deer habit faster.I have learned when to shoot an much much more.It would be very hard to see only 8-10 deer a year.some say hunting is not about killing for me it is.I want meat.I want reward.I want the total expearence. It is about a lot of things but I never feel let down or mad if I don't get anything.I know it has to be tough for some people who live in areas that lack good game numbers.It can take a lot of time to learn things.I hope you have a good season.good post take care ED
not seeing many deer an seeing too many are in a way one of the same.neither seem right.overall its lack of balance.I see a lot of deer an from that I have learned a lot fast. I got to become a better shot faster.I have learned deer habit faster.I have learned when to shoot an much much more.It would be very hard to see only 8-10 deer a year.some say hunting is not about killing for me it is.I want meat.I want reward.I want the total expearence. It is about a lot of things but I never feel let down or mad if I don't get anything.I know it has to be tough for some people who live in areas that lack good game numbers.It can take a lot of time to learn things.I hope you have a good season.good post take care ED
woops
Hunting public land can be tough and trying, but it can also be really rewarding. Even here in IA hunting public land is hard. You have to work harder than the next guy and really out think the deer. I hunt it for two reasons (1) it's close to home and (2) I enjoy it. I would much rather have a prime piece of private land to hunt but that's really hard to come by.
You can really learn alot from deer and other hunters on public land. As much as you hunt the deer, you have to be conscious of other hunters habits as well. Sometimes using their movements can help push deer to you.
I do sort of agree that on some level we hunt for the kill. Sure we all love the wilderness and everything in it, but the ultimate goal of hunting is to bring an animal home. I don't think there's too many hunters who honestly don't really enjoy the thrill of the harvest. Plus, the eats that go along with them!
Shawn, I agree with you the whole experience of the hunt is great, but the end results should be the kill, thats why we hunt.
QuoteOriginally posted by tracker12:
If I hunted two weeks without seeing a deer I would definitely find a new spot. I have say I am spoiled here in Maryland. I can't remember going two days without seeing a deer. I would suggest finding someone with experience to help you out. Not sure where you are located but I am from Beaver County PA and the area is full of deer. Closer you get the Pittsburgh the more you will see.
x2 there are deer everywhere there. I lived there for a year and saw them often. Lots of deer in Washington count too.
I think some of us mis-inturprited what Shawn was saying, Me included. I believe this is the case with Moleman also, although I can not speak for him.
None of us are professional writers and what we mean to say doesn't always get wrote the way we mean it. Or we don't read it the way it was meant to read by the person who wrote it. Hard to communicate exact meaning without cadence of voice or expretion of face.
Sometimes in stead of getting hot under the collar, we should give the benifit of the dought or pollitely ask the proceived offender to clearify what he or she meant.
Try to stay respectful even if the other party isn't.
JM2C
Sorry for getting off subject, My bad!
RedShaft, I admire your determination and attitude. I also have no idea of the quality of your land or the deer population. I do know that I also at times hunt a large public big woods area that is hit hard by bird and small game hunters and the hunting is tough. The public land near me does hold some nice bucks though but you do have to work for them.
Surprisingly you have to work hard but you don't always have to be the guy going in the farthest. I've got a couple spots that people avoid because they seem too small, just a few acres of dry ground between a logged off area and a slough. Nobody wants to walk through the left over slash for only a few acres, but I took a nice buck out of there one year, only 150 yards from the gravel road. I should add that I walked several hundred yards to get around the slashings but the deer were using that little island of land.
I've found the key is funnels, and to be specific, pinch points in funnels. I don't pay a lot of attention to food sources since in a big woods area since without the concentrated food source of a crop field they can and do feed almost anywhere. Sometimes you can narrow it down, like if there are acorns on the ground, but in general it's tough to pinpoint what they are eating. One of their favorite foods is maple leaves as they are turning and falling, in a hardwood forest where every other tree is a maple...and the others are mostly oaks dropping acorns...trying to hunt food sources is a waste of time. Besides, most of the feeding activity is at night, at least in the areas you can get too without hip boots.
I like to find a spot where deer, and bucks in particular, have to pass through to get from one big block of woods to another. There are lots of small sloughs and tamarack bogs here and often there is a narrow neck of dry ground between them that deer like to travel through. Sometimes it's just the edge of a big slough with something to funnel their movements. That's where I have had the best luck but I don't know if your conditions are anything like mine.
If you have good numbers on your public ground it's just a matter of finding the right spot and putting in your time. I never see as many deer in the big woods public area as I do at home with my food plots and neighbors crop fields, but in many ways it's more fun to hunt the public land. It's much more "hunting" and a lot less "sniping". I spend a lot more time looking around on the public land than I do sitting and in many ways it's more fun than sitting in a blind or stand. I also don't go on the weekends if at all possible, with all the squirrel hunters shooting .22s up in the trees it just doesn't seem safe.
Good luck this fall, I enjoyed your post and share your love of just having the opportunity to hunt. I hope your son catches the bug like you have... :thumbsup:
Some great suggestions and debate. Don't forget that not all publicly, or private land is the same across the country. Travel to hunt is tough for me as a teacher, my busy time of year and all. I have been lucky enough to travel out of state to hunt a few times. Each time I saw more deer in a few days than I do here in a few years. I have built a life here and don't see leaving even to live in a place with higher game densities. So I am going to join Redshaft in sending encouragement and luck to those who love to hunt and do so in areas that challenge skills and patience. And those who do see and harvest deer,thanks for sharing your stories to keep me fired up to get up early, and stay out late chasing game.
Thanks for all the advice guys. Sorry some of you got upset or had misunderstanding and glad you straightened it out. It's the last thing we want to do is fight. But It's good to debate and throw opinions out.
I think because of wanting to get out as much as I can it does limit me in traveling too far, especially after work.
Saturdays are different. I made a call today to our county's conservation officer to see if anyone in are is having deer problems and maybe I can get in to hunt.
Be heading back out to the mountain tomorrow to do some scouting to find some over looked spots. See what I find