well today was my first bow hunt in a blind. I got this tri pod stand deal and it had a blind that could be used as a ground blind so since I didnt know where to put the stand I just decided to pack in the blind, find some deer sign and put up the blind up wind.
So I head down to the hunting land (its about 30 min. from my house, not my land)and decide since I have prety much 0 scouting time in to go to the most reliable spot, the big lake. I know deer go down there to drink and there are always acorns down there Plus the fence keeps them darned cows away (very important point that last one). well I got down there and found a few old trails, there were new growth on the trails so I thought gun season may have scared them off of those trails, passed on them. went in a little farther and ended up at the start of the lake, in the soft mud near the edge I found deer track heaven. I mean big track, little tracks, all kinds of track around there including a really big set of tracks. I put a vane up next to it (I got those little 2"ers) and it was longer than that but not by much maybe 3 inch. the 2 hooves were apart and had the deer looking point to them. So I got a little excited, looked around for a spot w/ good shooting lanes and set up the blind. the wind was good but I forgot to spray the blind down with my dead down wind spray. it was about 10 am when every thing got settled down. I did not see a single deer come to any part of the lake all day. I did see some super fat squirels running around out there about 10 yards away, is it legal to shoot them right now??
I dont get how I could sit there all day and not see any thing. I wish I could have taken a picture of it to post here but the cameras batteries pooped out on me. well I was shure those where fresh tracks I dont know what could have happened. well maybe tomarow.

Thats why its called hunting friend. Next time out you might see a bunch. Keep at it.

i don't know if you misstyped this or what, but you said you put your blind up wind of the trail in(in the first paragraph). if so, that could be a huge factor... Around here the deer won't go to the pond in daylight. i second switchbackxt_shooter though, that's why it's called huntin. have fun!

yep, I wasdownwind of the trail. I thought it might help keep them from smelling me there. well I might just try another spot tomarow. I got some things that need to get done though.

well guys do you think I should go back to the same general area or no? maybe move back a ways and hunt a trail leading into the lake area or should I try going to the other side of the property (area no one has been to since maybe a day or two of rifle season about 2 weeks ago)???

You must mean "downwind of the trail" right ? Maybe its a Mathews thing.

They may be going to the lakeat night. Backtrack and see where the trails come from, if you can. Then hunt near where the trails go into thicker stuff.