[Benhuntin]

After hunting an area for 3 years I've yet to see deer in it. All the sign in the world is there; scrapes, rubs, tracks, even found some impressive sheds but no deer. I let a freind hunt the spot and he claims to have seen deer but I havn't. Could it be a case of not being there at the right time or just bad luck. I have taken deer in the general area but I don't want to give up on that spot because of the sheds I have found there. Any suggestions?

 

[Guest]

trail cames to figure out what time they are there.

 

[buckfever]

Like ronn said trail cams. That would be an easy, simple way. Im also curious to what times are you hunting and for how long?

 

[joel the signman]

you just opened pandoras box.You see sign etc that makes you believe deer are there.hey gremlins didnt make that sign the deer are there.now whats the wind direction?spray some wind checker,is blowing into your hunting spot?do you hunt this spot only?everytime you hunt a stand you reduce the odds of getting a deer there.you leave scent and sign that lets em know you were there.i could go on and on ,we need more info to help ya out,like what terrain,cover,wind direction,food sources,hunting pressure etcc..........

 

[timberghost]

Maybe they scented you (wind). Also, welcome to the site.

 

[Lord Toneking]

Get a map of the area off the net here first, then you can see the 'big picture' from above. Watch the winds on your weather forecast....and last but not least, bait them suckers!! (if you're permitted to do so in your state)

You'll start seeing deer then:yes:

 

[Guest]

there is a lot to answering the question and all thats been mentioned plus some needs to be thought out.

 

[Hunting Man]

All the above and the question of baiting vs fair chase? It might be a can of worms, but its a question, where legal, has to be answered by the individual. Do I or don't I use bait? Give us some more info and maybe we can pinpoint some additional options for you.

 

[muleskinner]

With the sign you described it sounds like you might be in their beds. try pulling back a hundred yards or so towards their feeding area and make sure the wind is right.

 

[Benhuntin]

Been offshore so I couldn't reply sooner. I always try to hunt from daylight to dark but sometimes its not possible because of my kids in sports. Thought about the cams but it is public land so that's a big risk.

 

[Benhuntin]

O.k. Joel here goes terrain is basically flat ground with a major creek flowing mixed hardwood/pine sappling thicket with mature white oak, penoak, beach and various small trees and shrubs that is between creek and thicket. its like a medium between thick and open mature trees.wind is dominately north by northwest which I will only hunt this spot during little or no wind the thicket is to the north and creek to the south.as far as hunting pressure never seen anybody around there before but who knows in general the area is not hunted much because it is hard to get to. if you need more let me know thanks

 

[Benhuntin]

public land can't bait

 

[Benhuntin]

maybe but the thicket to the north is what i considered as bedding area i have and do move out and hunt but nothing happens i've even been told nocturnal but find it hard to believe because its not just one and i mostly hunt it early and during the rut

 

[Benhuntin]

have one that is aerial can't bait its public land so maybe i'm missed something any suggestions on that

 

[Gator]

All your research work should be done before opening day,sometimes its not possible I ran into the same problem this year,I got permission to hunt some new property late.What my plan was, to hunt the property with careful patience until the first snow fall then go out and track those deer highways and get a better idea of where their coming from and going to. I dont like to stumble on to their beds at anytime but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do,with snow on the ground their is no mistake where their bedding. fortunately for me given the layout of the land it wasnt to hard to figure them out.I hope this helps,and welcome to the site Im new here too and have found a ton of useful info,their are alot of people on this site that forgot more than Ill ever know. PS. IF you live in florida please disregard the snow method.Please update your profile and tell us where your from. (that was for you BB ):lol:

 

[Benhuntin]

great idea but i live in louisiana and snow is rare and usually doen't even stick but if it does thats wat i'll do thanks

 

[joel the signman]

okay the fact that its flat and there's a creek flowing through the area i would say its a travel corridor. the deer love to follow water,the mixed hardwoods allow for acorns are there acorns on the ground? you also have lots of browse.i would follow the rub line and see where it leads.i think the best way to hunt it is to still hunt scout it for now.if you find trees that are dropping acorns set up nearby.the thicket is most likely the bedding area.if you only hunt it occasionally take a stroll thru it at midday and be ready for a quick shot you may jump some deer .the fact its public the deer know they are being hunted.try approaching it from a different direction than everyone else.watch your scent stream use a powder wind checker at all times