A week of hunting

[gregrn43]

Spent the first week of modern gun season up at the cabin, by the way muzzies are legal. My wife and daughter both collected on nice does. Saw several does and small bucks, but didnt see much sign of rutting going on with older bucks, it should have been prime time. But one morning I decided to hunt off my summit which is on the far side of the property. When I reached the stand I heard leaves rustling, I swung my flashlight around right into the face of a awesome buck 25 ft from my stand bedded down. He had a 18 to 20 inch spread with tall tines and long beams. He gave me about a second to look at him and tore out of there like a cat on a hot tin roof. Well the next morning same thing happend, jumped one right as I got to my stand. I didnt see this deer, but could tell it was a large deer running off. That was the last day that I could hunt because of work. I've been trying to devise a plan to get in there without jumping him. I know the chance is slim of him being there again, but i would like to give it a try. I thinking of getting on the stand about 4am hopefully before he gets to his bed or slipping in after daylight and try to spot him bedded. The latter would be very tough I know because of the dry leaves and all the down timber from last winters ice storm. Was wondering if any of you fellers might have any ideas?

[spaniel]

If you keep getting busted trying to get in the stand, then don't get in the stand. Obviously you're in his bedroom. Depending how thick it is, stop far enough back that he should not hear you. Take a seat and wait for daylight. If nothing is there, you can still get in your stand. If he's there, you may get to see him before he sees you and get your shot.

I always hunt from the ground, and have had plenty of success. Hunting from the ground with a ML is a LOT easier than with a bow.

[Semisane]

I would get on that stand at mid-morning or mid-day while he's probably roving, and plan on sitting until dark in the hope that he returns to the bedding area.

[cayugad]

That is a hard choice. Both methods might work. If the wind is not in my face, I would just get there very early and sit it out and hope he walks in and moves through.

If the wind is in my face come into an area where you can see the stand (since you have busted him so close) in the dark, and sit down. I like to take a tree seat that gets me a little off the ground. And sit there and start to watch as the shadows move through aznd day light brakes. A lot of time you will spot there there where they saw you before. Sit very still and just start looking for ears and legs. When or if you see him, then you have to pick your shot.

Good luck. I hope you get a shot at that big devil.

[lemoyne]

He is going to his bed before daylight, and he is looking for you in that spot now.
I would look for the beds, probably on some sort of an overlook put a stand down wind and figure out a way to get to the stand with out crossing the route he is coming in on, and be there and quite an hour before he is expected. Lee