Chris:

The deer here get off the minerals about the time our season starts (early Sept.). I don't know how much good it does to "inventory" the deer.....because I have photos of deer on my minerals that I NEVER saw last year while on stand. Lisa and I just love looking at the pictures .

Your post made me think that maybe next year.....I won't set out a cam, either. i think it WOULD be exciting to have NO IDEA of what might be coming through that thicket.

I'm actually going to employ a little different tactic this year.....as far as setting out stands. I'm not going into my hunting areas until opening day.....when I'll hunt a climber for a couple of weeks. I don't want ANY of my scent in there...nor do I want to take a chance on disrupting their Summer patterns. If I get a good, rainy Saturday or Sunday.....I "might" set a stand, early. I honestly believe I'm either going to take a buck in the first 2 weeks......or none at all. I think I'm going to be recovering a few does in there......and I might bugger it up for buck hunting, early. We'll see. Either way.....the freezer don't know the difference!