Strategy Change??
OK, looking for ideas from the more experienced hunters here.
Last 3 weekends have had good winds for one particular stand site. First weekend opening of muzzle got in and set up, no issues. Took a shot at a buck, missed, don't ask how.
Next weekend on way in under dark, taking my usual slow, quiet pace. I jumped one deer not 10 yards into the woodline, seemed the deer didn't mind me coming in. Her issue was when I stopped and listened for anything and then moved again is when she bolted from about 15 yards away. Ran down into a drainage and up the other side and then started doing an alarm call from about 50 yards away. Typical doe activity but she just called, called, ran a few steps, stopped and called, called again. At same time heard another deer off to my right further away bound away. No other issues on my way to site, still saw some deer including 2 doe fawns still with mama. Had the bow with me this time and no clear shot.
This past Sat, on way in, this time 30 minutes earlier, I get to woodline, stop, listen and before even stepping in I hear a deer possibly same as before bound off. No calling, get in further, about 50 yards from site, hear another deer bound off.
So here is my question, these deer don't seem to like the slow, quiet entry where you stop listen, pick your path and then move again when you think all is good. They seem jumpy to this approach. I will add I use no light on entry on most entries and have not used any on these entries.
How should I address this, this area is on Base and pretty much M-F has Marines in these fields working. Many times as with those in the field the Marines will head into the woods to relieve themselves and the deer here are very used to flashlights and people moving around in the field and the woodlines. So should I change my strategy from walking slow and quietly and start walking straight in regularly with my flashlight on, giving them the feel that I am just another human they are used to seeing in the area?