I hunt on a semi-public Military base (you have to get a pass to hunt so it is pretty much public). From October 6th-November 16th I probably had only seen 12 deer in the woods, and only 2 bucks(both of which I arrowed). Yesterday I was invited to hunt up in Loudoun County, VA, with deer densities that dwarf my hunting area, and on private land. I saw at least 10 different bucks, and at least 10 doe. I heard them grunting, bleating, and saw them......having "deer relations" Unbelievable. I saw them chasing from the 7am-5pm, the entire day. I didn't go 20 minutes without seeing a deer. I saw two shooters, and grunted one of them in to 30 yards right before shooting light expired, but gave me no shot. I was using my bow, but my buddy was using his gun. He shot a 9 pointer at 3pm. I hadn't hunted with him in at least 10 yars. It was unbelievable. I am envious of all of you with private land and a high deer population. I don't know how I can go back to hunting all day without seeing a deer But I guess that is what made me really appreciate seeing all those deer! What a day, one I will never forget.

shadow

It can be alot of fun when everything works out for ya! I own my woods i hunt in, it consist of 80 agriculture and 80 of woods. Beleive me, it's not always that full of action while hunting on private land. Some years are good and some are terrible. My year usually depends on how bad the slug hunters from the year before smoked the bucks.

My hunting property is the same as you describe, and I witnessed the same spectacle on the 16th. Just about word for word! But my "property" is public ground! I don't know about VA, but I would think there would be micro areas of deer populations, i.e. doe bedding areas, on public ground if you look hard enough. I killed a nice 15 pt. buck on the 16th, after watching him for almost 2 hours, along with probably 20-30 other deer. Grunting, chasing, bleating, all of it going on as I watched. I talked with another hunter at the parking lot, who was in a tree just 200 yds. from me and closer to the activity, and he saw 1 doe and a small buck and heard none of the grunting or chasing. It can be a much different scenarioin just a few yards distance.

I havent had a day like that yet this year. Starting to get worried.

Hunter 59--we have spots like you describe. You have to work hard/get lucky to find those spots. I have one that I am going to hunt probably Monday/Tuesday of this week. Never seen another person besides my hunting partner in there at all...remote bedding area on the top of a ridge...the perimeter has been excellent for the last 3 years, although this year it has not produced yet...we will see.

shadow

lucky you guys I didnt see anything during gun season so far. Its probably to late too there in hiding mostly by now

Good luck shadow, have you taken a look at your ground on an aerial photograph? Sometimes if you study it enough and know what to look for, you can find spots that other hunters miss, or better yet find terrain features that you can use to intercept deer that other hunters bump. I've been hunting my public area for about 20 years now and have learned where to be at what time of year to take advantage of hunting pressure or doe bedding areas. It doesn't always get me into range but it puts be in a position to take advantage of the opportunities when they present themselves. I don't know the specifics on how large of an area you have, that would make a difference, naturally the larger the better, but if you work hard at it I think you can find where the does hang out. That puts you on the bucks!

timbyo---"ucky you guys I didnt see anything during gun season so far. Its probably to late too there in hiding mostly by now"

That is the fun of deer hunting. Finding them! Think about where they will go and intercept them.

Thanks 59...I've always liked maps and I work the geometry of the land fairly well I believe..I take into account where other hunters will be, and how they will get in there....my hunting partner is a whiz at topo maps. Reading topo maps, and preseason application of those maps is something that I definitely have to get better at doing. I try to learn 1 or 2 new areas a year on the military base I hunt. I learn them so well that I know almost every inch of the place...this year I have only learned one new area, just maybe a 150 acre section. I love the late season b/c it allows/forces me to focus on new areas to intercept the feeding deer. Hunter 59, I might have some questions for you in regards to aerial photos in the future. Thanks for the advice/encouragement.

shadow