I hunt public land, no agriculture and hardwood timber with lots of browse and acorns droppinig. Prior to and after putting up my stands (about Sept 1) I've been getting pics of deer on my cams. But ever since the season started last saturday I've yet to see a deer. For morning hunts I move in at first light and ease out via a route that I know the deer don't travel. Evening hunts I do the same and stay until last legal shooting time. I always watch the wind and don't hunt a site if the wind is wrong.
I've gone 7 days now, 11 sits and have yet to see a single deer. I can't understand it. It happened like this for the past 2 or 3 years. Yet come the end of October and into November the deer are running rampant everywhere with the rut coming on. I like being out there and I know I will start to see deer sooner or later. But I can't for the life of me figure out way they change their patterns around the beginning of October? Anyone have any opinions on why? Its not hunting pressure because as far as I know, I'm the only one in the area.