EastHipster

Crazy that it's hanging out for video.   I bumped a Bobcat right at first light last Winter. Scared the CRAP out of me as it ran right across my path about 3 feet in front of me

I am hunting in Whites Creek just outside of Nashville.   I haven't seen any Deer while I am sitting still.   I'm only seeing Deer when I'm on the move....Still Hunting. Had 3 Does almost in Range but I had little cover and they busted me. I've been busted by 3 Bucks.   I've also been Snorted at on the way in and out of the Woods. A few days ago I spotted a Doe 10 yards away from me just as I left my car but it was on the other side of a Fence row....   The Deer are out there.

I see one or two every time I go out but mostly because I bump them going in and out of the woods....not many have been when THEY are moving.

My 'problem' is that there are TONS of Acorns...

Thursday morning I got BUSTED 10 yards from my first stand at 6:00am!   I hunted a Feeding area Friday Evening and it was QUIET out. Nothing.  This was in Whites Creek.   It was a nice stand though.  Had a little depression to sit in with a good 10-20 Yard Shot area. Tons of Acorns, lots of fresh Deer droppings and a perfect Trail Funnel.   Might try it in the morning? I'm definitely hunting tomorrow but haven't decided what the strategy will be. I'm on the Trails of 2 different good sized Bucks but might not push for them until we get closer to the Rut.

I got out this morning. BUSTED 10 yards from my first stand!   I started hiking in at dark and first light was peaking out as I was sneaking up the trail and SNORT!! Oh well.   Deer were really still today but it wasn't  waste. I found a new trail and a feeding area loaded with fresh Deer Droppings and nice ambush opportunities. Will be sitting there sometime in the next few days.

Me too.  I'm too sore from yesterday.  Lots of climbing/squatting and crawling. Packed up for tomorrow morning though.   I don't get out many afternoons but I might try to pull a double tomorrow.

Don't think I can go again today. Might get out in the morning again though.

It was quiet this morning.  I heard movement on a Trail about 100 yards from me. I bumped one at 11:00 near a bedding area (I was following a trail).   Found a NICE Fresh line of Rubs in a Ravine where I was hearing the movement early morning. Moving in!  

I skipped today but I think I could have had some good hunting. Going out tomorrow!!!   Nice and cool in the morning

P.S.   Something funny about the Buck I saw. I have NO idea what the Rack was like. I was totally focused on the Kill Zone and saw how big that was....

I've heard lots of Deer and seen 4. Where I hunt they are sticking to cover and eating Acorns.   I'm HEARING them because I am Ground Hunting and sitting in pretty dense woods. I think if I had been hunting edges of clearings I wouldn' t be seeing them.   I had a close encounter with a LARGE Buck Friday. I was climbing down an embankment that was pretty steep. Saw him when I was halfway down....tried to Freeze but I slipped and broke a Twig...SNAP and he ran off.   But I found what was likely his bedding area and lots of Tree Rubs. The Hunt is on!   15 minutes after that I found 3 Does in tight Woods. I drew on one but there was Brush in the Way and it was quartered towards me. The other Does spotted me and it was downhill from there.   Ground Hunting is a blast but it's hard. If you ever get bored, put on some Moccasins and try it!

I'm going to watch the Radar.  Doesn't look hopeful. Getting out Monday or Tuesday for sure though.

Had daughter's birthday party today so couldn't get out. We have rain forecast for the morning but I am going to try to hunt the break in the Rain late morning to Noon if it happens.

I've been taking Black Licorice out this week.

Rugerla, Sorry to hear that...you almost had a perfect day though. Did you hear a 'crack'? You might have hit high and caught bone on the other side. I had a great day ground hunting and Stalking. Thought I was getting ready to get a shot when I got busted by a Buck that snuck up behind me!! Fun but no deer. Getting back out ASAP

Yeah...just Packed again :)

Rite in Rain (notes come in handy next season) Paper Map First Aid (bandages, Pain Reliever, Allergy meds) Compass Paracord Lighter DEET/Thermacell if needed Phone Gorillapod Tripod Sharpener Nitrile Gloves TP Wipes Hand Sanitizer Game Bags Bow Stringer Extra bow string Extra Tab HeadLamp Extra Flashlight Poncho Pruners Tomahawk Lunchbox fruit jerky protein bars Water bottle Thermos Coffee Calls Scents Knee Pads/Cushion Sometimes carry Folding stool or HammockSeat Wear Knife on Belt I Ground Hunt and don't know how far I will go or when I'll be back so I take 'enough' to stay out all day and survive if I HAVE to stay out at night

I don't play games but I HAVE ordered Gear while on stand. Usually comfort oriented stuff! Where I hunt, I am generally within 30 minutes of my car but it is often a fairly difficult climb through thick brush. I don't leave anything important behind. But I'm getting better at deciding what's 'imortant'

My wife is making fun of me because I repack my Daypack about every hour or two :)

http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/MockScrapes.shtml

Yeah...I'm trying to stay out of the woods until Saturday.  Not easy !   About the Scrape....the article I read said that even just scraping away the leaves without adding a scent can get their attention and cause them to stop and sniff that spot. I'll see if I can find it and I'll post the link in a fresh thread.

Some people suggest that you make a scrape every time you hunt... I did it out of frustration as I wasn't confident that I was planning to hunt the right area.

I'm in a good mood today. Found an active Rub line on a nice 'very huntable' trail.   Then found an 8 point 'big enough for my first Bow Season' Buck on my Trailcam by some Mock Scrapes that I did.   Even if i don't see anything on Saturday, at least I won't feel like I am just hunting in the dark.

I've got more scouting to do! I've found a couple of hot trails and had a mock scrape dug up. I went out and made more scrapes in the area and freshened them up. Will have to hit them again after the rain and see if there has been any activity.