Howdy, hopefully some of you more experienced hunters can help me figure out a problem. Last year well before bow season came in I scouted out an area that we hunt. After several afternoons watching the dear come out and creating a pattern I picked my spot. After several attempts I was finally in a position to pull back my bow. But, dusk had got the best of me and I could not see the buck 30 yards away through my peep sight. I had to let it go. I was very excited at just the chance with my bow and hoped I would get another chance in time. Circumstances came up and I was not able to get back to this area until late in rifle season and the deer had changed their pattern. This year I did the same thing, scouted out the same area but never did see anything but decided to hunt anyway thinking they would come. Since bow season has started here in VA we have been out every morning and every evening but have seen nothing and for the life of me can’t figure out why we have seen no deer. We are in a drought big time, no rain in 6 weeks. All the creeks and streams are bone dry. Could this be the reason? Have they moved to a water source? Nothing else has changed same field, same grass (Fescue, clover mix for livestock). I have seen deer in the area big time but not in this spot. We have several ponds in the area with tracks @ it but we always see this. If this is the case will they come back when the drought is over? Sorry for long message but wanted to explain in detail so it may be easier to help answer my dilemma. Thank you very much in advance. Floyd

It could be that the acorns are falling in your area and they are staying in the woods. You need to get further back in the woods towards the bedding areas? But not too close.
Or it could be that they are holding out until after dark when it cools down to come out.
Or it could be they are staying close to water like you posted in your message?
If you have a trail camera put it on a tree back in the woods somewhere and try to find them with the trail camera. Thepictures will tell you what time they are moving thru the area.
You have to move around and find them.
Hope this helps!!

Thank you, all advice is appreciated.

Yeah I would say you need to backup in the woods, and find the Acorns... They are starting to fall here in MD, and they are just browsing looking for them... That is thier favorite food source so if that is avaliable, you won't catch too many at the fields... See if you can find a nice white oak ridge, and I bet you'll find the deer... And Hunt the Wind...!!

Not to come down on you but I think this is a situation that many bowhunters put themselves into. Some spots are hot one year and cold the next. As the others, and yourself, mentioned this could be from a variety of issues. The lack of abundant rainfall, the change in mast production, the redistribution of crops, etc.. all play a part in it.

If you scouted before the season and found very little sign then I would'nt be hunting the area regardless of how fruitful it was for you last season.

Among the ideas losted, hunting a property every morning and every evening is no good. You probably pushed all the deer out with yourpresence. I hunt my spots once a week each to keep them fresh.

Ok, The acorns are falling sooner this year due to the drought. Thanks