First time viewer and poster today. Looks like a good group of guys with some helpfull info.

Here is my story, I'll try and give the short version. I hunted very briefly about 10 years ago in Connecticut. Shortly after purchasing a new bow, getting my license, and actually getting in the woods, work forced me to move back to NJ. At the time it was a 6 day a week time constraint and being an insanely harcore salt water fisherman, couldn't find the time to hunt with the little free time I had cause I was fishing. A friend of mine who isa huge bowhunter pushed me back into it this year, 5 days before opening day! LOL So I managed to get my license, get a new rest, peep site, a set of arrows, and practiced twice a day for 4 days. On the 5th day, afternoon before opening day, at full draw, the bow blows up in my face. Both cables broke and the limbs flew off, broke the arrow in half, and smacked me. So, in a panic, I drive 30 minutes to a place that can help me. I went in and was given 3 options, buy new, rebuild, or rebuild w/ better parts. Ok, this is getting long so I'll end it here, it was a 10 year old Hoyt w/ 80 pound limbs. Put different limbs on, command cams, and new cables, serving etc... This just kinda sets the theme forwhy I am discouraged...

My real issue and the reason I registered and posted is because I need help. While my buddy who pushed me back into hunting is exetremely successful, he hasn't been much help to me. I managed to get permission to hunt on two farms in that same week I got the license, rebuilt the bow, and learned how to shoot again. Obviously just days before the season scouting hard was not an option. So, quick looks and a few adjustments here is my scenario. I am hunting a ground blind over bait. Once established I had 7 does coming almost every hunt. Was a little discouraged but feeling ok knowing does were there so during the rut I would start seeing horns. About 3-4 weeks ago, the does all but stopped coming. Borrowed and put up a trail camera for a few days and saw two bucks, a small spike w/ a Y on one side and a decent 7. They were coming in the afternoon and the does were coming at night. Now, I pull the camera and start planning my sits to get there before this 7 was coming. 5 or 6 sits and I see nothing! I am pulling my hair out cause meanhwile I have to hear about how many bucks my buddy is seeing. The next day I walk in at noon to put out more bait, and what do I see 20 yards from the food, and big pile of human poo! You getting the theme here, I just can't win. I can only assume this was a big reason I wasn't seeing deer, so I grab a shovel and get rid of it. Talk to the guys working the farm and beg them to stay away from my corner. They agree and I wait a few days. Last Friday, after 8 hunts, I finally see the 7, at 20 yards broadside face down eating and I shot over his back! Ahhhhhh

So, this long drawn out story is to ask this question. Given my situation, knowing the bucks are now in full rut, aren't really eating the bait, and the does, if coming at all, are coming at night, what would you do? I don't have access to a stand, but there are some large trees in the area and I have on in mind further down the field edge where I believe the deer travel to get to the bait. I want to know what my best option is, given I don't have another stand or blind to use. I probably haven't given enough info to get a complete answer. What I am thinking is hunting from the ground w/out the blind. Using scent (buck bomb) or some other scent. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long winded story!