Bowhunting Question
 

I hunt in a suburban area bordered by homes. I know there's at least one buck on the 40 acres of partially wooded land I hunt....or at least there was last year (missed him!). There's probably more, but I killed the bigger one 2 years ago, and saw this one (big, tall 6-pointer) twice last year. Last year I killed one of the 3 does I saw regularly, and this year I've seen the other two does on my trail camera pretty much every day.

My question is this - I think I can easily take one or both of these mature does in the opening week of bow season (9/8), but am I more likely to see the buck(s) if I don't take the does? I figure the does will bring the buck(s) aroundduring the rut...but probably not if they're in my freezer!

Should I just take one doe, and then wait for the buck(s)?

Thanks!

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

If I thought there were only 3 deer in there.....I wouldn't kill the does, for sure.

The buck would have to be kinda special, too.

How many deer do you think are in or are using the 40 acres? Are they bedding there? Are they using it as a travel corridor? Have you seen other deer in there? DO you have other places you can take deer?

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

I've seen the does get up from bedding in a tall weed field....and the buck comes up from the woods near the creek, though a funnel leading to a field (that used to be corn, but not any more). There's lots of deers in the area...we see them running across the road all the time between my house and this place (about 4 miles), but it seems like these 3 deers are the only ones I see consistently on this property.

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

No where else close to hunt....have to drive to VA (1 hour) to get to a hunt club. It's nice to hunt just down the road from my house (have children....lots of soccer games, softball games, girl scout events, etc.).

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

I've been doing a in city Bowhunt the past 3 years. If you do much time in the area I am sure you will find several Deer & "probably" some Bucks that will get your blood pumping for sure. I Bowhunt much smaller patches & strips within the city & see tons of Deer & some great Bucks. We have to shoot THREE Does B/4 we are legal to shoot a Buck. Last year there were TWO P&Y Bucks within 10 yds. of me-yep, I had not filled all the Doe Tags yet & just took video of them. I have seen many other Bucks & other Trophy Bucks as well. Enjoy the fact you have a 40 acre area. Most areas I get into are 1-3 acres at most & walkers, joggers all around. It "IS" amizing how our Whitetails are so invisiable to so many within feet of them. Good Luck...

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

If you're hunting in Greensboro (didn't notice).....shoot whatever you want. I wouldn't worry about it. There'll be another to take its place.;)

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

IMO iwould never hunt a "city" patch of woods. At least not around here. It seems like too many things could go wrong, and having joggers and stuff around is not a safe place to be hunting IMO. Also, ive been in some city woodlots where i could walk up to within 10 feet of deer......where is the sport in that?

If your patch is 40 acres, then thats a good chunk of woods that could holdmany deer;) and you could also hunt safely. But i do not see where 1-3 acres of jogger invested woods is safe to hunt.

That is only my opinion though.

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

Siman....

He hasn't made one mention of HOW urban this area is. Don't try to paint a sour picture of the area or pass judgement on the "hunt" unless you know what you're taking about.

Ok?

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

Sorry, i forgot to make it clear that i was aiming most of my post towardsahhunter55,

And im not trying to say that its wrong, because its obvoisly perfectly legal....im just saying it seems a little "dangerous".

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

Understood, Siman. And you're correct (we need to be safe). I just know some poeple will take offense when we (as a community) say thing like "Where is the sport in that" when describing how someone else hunts.

Carry on.....;)

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

40 acreas is nice as stated but I would let the does walk until you get an idea of how many you have on that property. I would not keep that an area as a key place I would rather keep it as a little secret and take the mature buck! Just like bars....where there are women there will be men.

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

Forget the concerns about the location....40 acres to hunt, surrounded by many other acres not to hunt. Suburbs to say the least.....county residential w/no risk of joggers, etc.

Deer all around, but none that seem to frequent this area other than the 2 does and one buck (remaining) that I've referenced.

So.....having said that, is the idea here to let BOTH does go until the rut....to improve my chances at the buck(s) in the area?????

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

You would have a better chance at pulling bucks in your area if you have does coming into the area.

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

I'd shoot a doe and leave a doe just to make sure there's some tail for a big buck to chase once the rut starts...

Good luck gettin another shot on that big boy.

RE: Bowhunting Question
 

Just to clarify my statement so no one thinks I am going to shoot a walker or jogger. There are Limits to how close stands can be to certain areas-you must be in an elevated stand & many other rules just for safety & several things you must do to get the Certificate.
Oh, these Deer don't let you walk up to them either BUT then after Bowhunting 52 years & taking REAL "WILD" animals like Elk, Bears, Caribou, Hogs, Whitetail, Mule Deer & a long list of whateverI guess they are TAME.. Get a life.....