A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

What do you do when the BUCKS are comming through at 5:30 am in the pitch black??

So I was in my stand this morning at 5:15 am my friend went down the corn field about 200 yards away & set up his ground blind in the tree line he got all set up got in his chair & not 10 minutes later he spots a outline of a buck not 10 yards away nice 8-10 pointer he said so he goes to stick his bow out the window & as he lines it up he looks through the scope & its just to dark so he looks over the scope & as he does that theres another 12-14 pointer buck not 4 ft in front of his blind he said he could have touched it it was so close , but when he stuck the bow out the window it spooked the the one that was so close & it jumped & took off he didnt even see that one walk up to him ,then the second one spooked & made some crazy scream/grunt noise twice & TOOK OFF , im telling you guys I got down around 9:30 AM & walked over to him & the hoof prints were SO DARN CLOSE it was amazing , he asked me did you see them I said see what all I heard were these crazy weird noises he said that was the deer. I HAVE YET TO SEE ANY DARN DEER THIS YEAR .

So we walked the tree line down the corn whichhas been cut , & there are scrapes under every over hang big scrapes theres buck poop , hoof prints the scrapes are fresh also .there are about 4-5 Acorn trees down this line .

So my question is what should I do here please help .Will these Bucks come back through there does this sound like a mating area im new to all this .

JOSH

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

So you are saying you hear deer, but its so dark you can see them? Kinda unclear about that.

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

Well it's pretty easy, if it's too dark to see..you don't shoot! Period!
Save the area for when the rut kicks in. The bucks will be more likely to slip up and move during shooting hours.

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

TO Springer01

I heard them my best friend saw them right in front of his face!!!

Is this normal for them to move this early in the morning I guess I dont understand, I know next week is daylight savings time so it will get light earlier .

JOSH

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

whiteboy, the time change doesn't affect deer they don't change thier watches. Deer move most at dark, the time leading to and from the dark periods is when we try to catch them moving. Big bucks got that way for a reason and once pressure starts they can go totally nocturnal. Now once the rut starts they get ansy and sometimes move through-out the day. As hunters that's our best chance.

Hope this helps

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

One other thing you can try, besides hunting the rut, is move your stand farther down the trail (closer to where ever they are going) and this way they will be walking infront of you when it is later and lighter out.

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

So the rubs on the ground under the tree overhangs is this normal or are they getting ready for Rut. Do they do this every day ,ALso does this sound like a normal area for them to be moving.

We were going to try tomorrow morning just sitting on the ground up against a tree has anyone ever done this before?? the wind will be blowing in our face not toward the deer .

JOSH

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

Ground hunting is fine,if you play the wind. Bucks are making scrapes now (the pawed up area under the trees). When does come into estrous they will visit and urinate in a scrape to say, I'm ready. Bucks check a series of these scrapes for hot does. Generally they make way more scrapes than they actually check. Depending on your buck to doe ratio, does may not even visit the scrapes.

Honestly though Whiteboy, you need to read and learn a lot more, before I feel comfortable with you out in the woods, hunting. Read some of the articles on this website. Not the forums as much as the actual articles, journals, etc. Pick-up a Field and Stream or Deer Hunting Magazine. I don't want to discourage you, but you're asking questions that are below a novice level. Do you have a mentor (father, brother, uncle, friend )who has been hunting for sometime and can help you learn? I'm glad to see you getting into the hunting community but education and proper technique will make it an enjoyable past-time and keep you from getting frustrated.

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

Yes I have a friend I work with that has been unting for about 25 years , I just have never asked about the scrapes. As for novice questins I am novice ! I was into paintball for about 5 years so I can hunt , I have all the right gear but just still have a few questions here & there Ill try it for a season if I dont like it Ill just sell my stuff no big deal . So far its ok kind of boring but ok ill feel much better when I myself get to see one up close , we know their there we just have to be patient & wait them out.

Thanks for the info I have books im reading & there helping out so Ill keep reading & hunting at the same time .

we off tomorrow morning again to give it another shot.

Happy hunting

Josh

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

Did you take the hunter ed class? Just wondering.

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

The noise was probably the deer "blowing" or "snorting". They do this to clear their nose to get a better scent of you and also to alert any others to your presence. Really, you should not even be considering a shot before legal hours. What if the "deer" in the dark turns out to be someones horse or even another hunter? Many people are certain they see some game and find out after the shot that they have just ended someone's life and ruined their own. Playing paintball, even for a lifetime, does not qualify one to hunt. Not even close, Sport. You don't have to be an expert on deer behavior to begin hunting. Many people learn as they go and that is fine. You SHOULD be an expert in the safe practicesof handling a lethal weapon and have some foundation for good decision making in the moment of truth. That is where a mentor would really come in handy. I do wish you good luck and hope you keep on hunting in the future. Just remember that the second after a bullet or arrow is released, it can never be taken back. Please follow all laws and postively identify your target.

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

Oh I agree we practice all safety first, thats why my friend did not take the shot , as for paintball I think that was more of a challange then waiting on these darn deer ,plus in paintball people shoot back LOL. Anyway were givng it a shot this season to see if we like it. thanks again for the info.



Josh

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

Don't be discouraged. Time and experience takes time and experience. That sounds stupid but it's true. I know guys that have bowhunted for several years and have not made a kill. I am a novice bowhunter although I hunted with guns for years. I ask a ton of questions on this forum and will continue to do so. Be careful out there and if you have a question ask it. Everyone had to learn at some point. I think you will enjoy bowhunting. Be patient, scentfree, quiet, and hunt the wind and you may just get your first deer before me.

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

Thanks Txrookie I appreciate that.

Were looking forward to our fist Kill just not looking forward to the feild dressing, LOL.

BUT looking forward to a FULL FREEZER YUMMY!!!!


JOSH

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

Check out the post's on mock scrape's with a dripper ,just maybe you can convince one to show during daylight hour's . I feel your pain ,I've been there and it's very frusturating .

nubo

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

Don't give up!
It took me 5 years to shoot my first deer with a bow.
Sounds like you are in a good area.
I agree with moving your stands/blind farther down the trail, the way the deer were moving.
That will put them in front of you later when it's legal shooting hours.

Also, in a couple weeks the rut should be on and that will help you see deer during daylight.

We were all new at one time and I have been bow hunting for 20 years and still learn things every year.

Good luck!
Shoot your bow as often as you can so you will be ready when the moment arrives!

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

WHiteboy hang in there and spend some time in the ground blind with yer friend who has been hunting for 25 years. Maybe he can help you out with some hands on experience. Ask him to take you out scouting and have him show you some things and remember the only dumb ? is the one that isn't asked. As for paintball having something to do with deer hunting I can't seem to find the common denominator. Deer are alot smarter than you think.

RE: A LITTLE HELP TO A NEW HUNTER PLEASE 2 HUGE BUCKS ??
 

Thanks again for all the help were going out Saturday morning were going to get these Bucks like some of you said they will slip up so STAY tuned for the pics,WE HOPELOL . It would be Awesome to get a Buck my first year out , we in a great spot with LOTS of deer , I also hav a Weeks Vacation comming up in the middle of November so Ill hunt ever morning for a week to really see there movement .

Thanks again


JOSH