New hunter loking for advice from all of you Vets

sm1morgan · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 11:41 AM

I live in south eastern Ohio. I am a new hunter all together and have spent the spring and summer watching the deer as well as learning to shoot my new matthew adrenaline bow. I will tell you that I have been out almost everyday and on the ride to the 80 acre farm where i hunt i see massive amounts of deer. I set up on the bottom of the ridge generally out of the field but where i have clear shooting lanes to the field from the tree where my stand is. There are a ton of acorns on the ground and I have seen rubs as well as deer paths all the way around. I sent down real good as well as wash my clothes in the scent away soap and shower accordingly as well...Now my question...

Where are all the deer? I dont see 1. I see a ton on the way out but none where i am yet all the signs point that they are here. What am I doing wrong? I am as quiet as i can be. I get in the woods about 530am, and get about 15 ft off the ground. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

wmi · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 02:39 PM

Without being there here are some possiblities.
1. Your entry and exit need to be changed.
2. Just because you watch your scent does not mean you can egnore the wind. If you are upwind no matter what they will smell you.
3. You are hunting to low
in the tree.
4. From the sounds of it you are at the bottom of a ridge and the deer bed up higher. heat rises with scent.
5. Now they know they are being hunted so come to the field at night.
6. Acorns are dropping . They will feed on them and egnore all other food sources.
The list can be very long but I bet it is one or more of the above.

wmi · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmi

Without being there here are some possibilities.
1. Your entry and exit need to be changed.
2. Just because you watch your scent does not mean you can ignore the wind. If you are upwind no matter what they will smell you.
3. You are hunting to low
in the tree.
4. From the sounds of it you are at the bottom of a ridge and the deer bed up higher. heat rises with scent.
5. Now they know they are being hunted so come to the field at night.
6. Acorns are dropping . They will feed on them and ignore all other food sources.
The list can be very long but I bet it is one or more of the above.

Sorry about my spelling. I was not paying attention but you know what I meant.

timberghost · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 04:37 PM

Good posting wmi!!!!!!!!!!!

Richie · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 07:36 PM

It may be worth your while to invest in a game camera. This will help you determine what time they are actually using your trails and also it can help with the direction that they are coming from. I use moultrie 4.0 cameras and they are really good and con be picked up at wal-mart for less than $100. Hope this helps and best of luck.

muleskinner · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:04 PM

I hunt SE Ohio as well. I think the October Lul is early this year. They have been hitting the soft mass hard. Apples, mainly thorn apples are the place to be right now. send me a PM maybe I can meet up with you and take a look. I don't like to hunt low due to swirling winds. you may just need to move up a little higher. The winds have be swirling for the past week. Send me a PM maybe I can meet up with you and take a look.

sm1morgan · #7 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 07:52 AM

Thanks to all of you for all the advice I have changed my entry point, walked around the ridge to come in where the wind was in my face and while doing so I found the area of one of the places they bed down. I should be good to go for the week end. I set my stand between the bedding area and the food area about 15 ft up keeping in mind the wind. THANKS AGAIN

BruceBruce1959 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 11:26 AM

Sounds like you're on the right track but just remember there's 3 things that will get you busted..

1. Sight, Deer see the slightest movement
2. sound, Deer hear everything
3. Scent, no matter how much you De-scent deer may still smell you so try
to keep the wind working for you

So that means no noises, make all your movements super slow and robotic like and be sure you use some type of scent eliminator like 99%...

Good Luck and please don't forget to post pics !!

joel the signman · #9 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 02:36 PM

wmi good points .also you need to change stands .everytime you hunt it it becomes less effective.which way are the rubs facing?some are morning paths and others night paths .you may be in the right spot,wrong time.