Expecting too much so early

[majyang]

Folks, some of the threads kind of speak to this but not specifically so wanted to seek your thoughts and advice. I've been out scouting a few times now under the guise of squirrel hunting since tree rat season opened, and i'm starting to worry a little. I've not seen one deer in the woods. There are some signs but light at best and i have no idea on when they passed through. Granted i hunt public but even so, i usually bump if not at least see a few during my treks this time of year.

My major concern is really for the upcoming youth hunt. I went out and hung a couple of two man stands for the sole purpose of taking the kids out there. But i'm getting a little nervous about the locations now. The locations i picked have produced fairly well for me in the past, but that of course was later in the season. So am i pushing it this early and expecting too much? Should i rethink/relocate as deer patterns may be much different now then later on?

This will be their third year in attempting to put one down and I really dont want to disappoint again. Thanks

[deadeer]

We are (not) seeing the same thing, although there is sign. Still early and everything is full and so green. I wouldn't panic anytime soon. When leaves start falling good, temps cool off, and other people start hitting the woods, the deer will move. Good luck with the kiddos.

Jay

[Russ Koon]

Beans just now getting dry enough in tthe fields to provide less cover, and corn just now starting to be harvested. When those cover sources are less abundant we should again see more. I've been seeing more than last year in my trips through the country this spring and summer, maybe a few less when in the woods, but the foliage seems thicker this year and I suppose that may be a factor.

Also, it appears to be an abundant nut producing year and some acorns are already falling, so that may be limiting the deer travels.

Seeing tracks in most of the places where I expect to see them. Hard to quantify the numbers without furtther scouting, but looks pretty normal so far here.

[majyang]

Thanks for the inputs. I'm sure that it's just getting the better of me, (anticipation) for next weekend that's making me second guess on every decision. I already gave them the "we'll get'em next time" speech after the first season. Then it was the, "it's called hunting for a reason" speech last season. So this year it'd be outstanding if i could give them the, "third times a charm" high-five. lol

It was too cold during gun season last year for them to go out BUT if we don't score during youth season, we may have to break glass and execute plan B.

[deerpreacher]

Sept 17, 2014 10:17:14 GMT -5 Russ Koon said:

Beans just now getting dry enough in tthe fields to provide less cover, and corn just now starting to be harvested. When those cover sources are less abundant we should again see more. I've been seeing more than last year in my trips through the country this spring and summer, maybe a few less when in the woods, but the foliage seems thicker this year and I suppose that may be a factor.

Also, it appears to be an abundant nut producing year and some acorns are already falling, so that may be limiting the deer travels.

Seeing tracks in most of the places where I expect to see them. Hard to quantify the numbers without furtther scouting, but looks pretty normal so far here.

Every yeat is going to be a little different to pattern because of the food sources changing. Usually later in the season your main trails will come back. You might think about using a portable stand in the early season.

[dbd870]

Only seen one small buck so far, but there is sign around.

[windingwinds]

You might want to hunt food sources. Most sign I have is under the white oak trees that are dropping acorns now. We are on year four of my two boys hunting, no deer yet for them, but they have had a couple close encounters. Honestly I am more proud of the choices they have made about not taking bad shots and still waiting on their first deer. When their time finally does happen it's going to mean so much more. My oldest now is just 18 so only have one youth hunter this season.

[Deleted]

If your hunting in September, hunt travel routes leading to crop fields. I prefer to set up about 200 yards in the woods from a Soybean field on a travel route the Deer use to go to the field in the evening. Sometimes those big Bucks won't make it to the fields until it's too dark to take a shot. But if your hunting 200 or more yards back in the woods from the field, sometimes you can intercept those big Bucks going to the fields while there is still enough light.


And most deer movement right now is at night, first hour of daylight, and last hour of daylight in the evening.

[firstwd]

Sept 19, 2014 22:36:03 GMT -5 @kentuckylake1 said:

If your hunting in September, hunt travel routes leading to crop fields. I prefer to set up about 200 yards in the woods from a Soybean field on a travel route the Deer use to go to the field in the evening. Sometimes those big Bucks won't make it to the fields until it's too dark to take a shot. But if your hunting 200 or more yards back in the woods from the field, sometimes you can intercept those big Bucks going to the fields while there is still enough light.


And most deer movement right now is at night, first hour of daylight, and last hour of daylight in the evening.

I'm not sure where in Indiana you are used to hunting, but a large portion of the state doesn't have 200 yards of woods between crop fields, especially in the areas that are Urban Deer Zones.

[tynimiller]

Tons of deer movement here but it changes every year...shoot every month and at times weeks. Food sources switch...pressure changes...weather switches..and alot more cause deer to move or relocate at times. That's the beauty of it.

[Deleted]

Sept 20, 2014 16:31:13 GMT -5 firstwd said:

Sept 19, 2014 22:36:03 GMT -5 @kentuckylake1 said:

If your hunting in September, hunt travel routes leading to crop fields. I prefer to set up about 200 yards in the woods from a Soybean field on a travel route the Deer use to go to the field in the evening. Sometimes those big Bucks won't make it to the fields until it's too dark to take a shot. But if your hunting 200 or more yards back in the woods from the field, sometimes you can intercept those big Bucks going to the fields while there is still enough light.


And most deer movement right now is at night, first hour of daylight, and last hour of daylight in the evening.

I'm not sure where in Indiana you are used to hunting, but a large portion of the state doesn't have 200 yards of woods between crop fields, especially in the areas that are Urban Deer Zones.

Southern Indiana, western Kentucky, and western Tennessee is where I hunt each season. I am hunting in heavily forested counties in all 3 states.

[drs]

Sept 18, 2014 9:56:12 GMT -5 dbd870 said:

Only seen one small buck so far, but there is sign around.

So far this Month of September, on my place; I've seen Deer mostly in the evenings & some in the morning hours.  Saw two Doe last evening in my back field, and I believe most remain in the woods where acorns are available.   Come mid-October, when rut starts in earnest, Bucks will start cruising and chasing Doe.