I think they got poached.
 

Its sorta a sad thing to say, but I havent seen my shooters in my honey hole. I.e. I had been watching a 140, 2 130's and a 160 but they dissapeared 3 weeks before the season, and noone has seen them since, on either property or on either side of the mountain, I know they go to hiding but for 6 weeks?? of pure nocturnal-ness, in which they arent hitting the fields to which we spot??

Do you think they've been poached? maybe someone could teach me something about deer here? 6 weks seems like its a long time for them to be in pre-rut hiding. I am thinking on abandoning this spot aswell via I havent seen any of the does even that I was previously seeing.

Ryan.

RE: I think they got poached.
 

its probably the rut. there was a research on deer and the rut. they tracked on deer that was 15 miles from where he normally lives.

RE: I think they got poached.
 

Without any other evidence, I would say its probably, a change in food sources thus a change in area, or a move to nocturnal patterns due to pressure time of year..etc.

RE: I think they got poached.
 

ya but it is still a little early ant it. but i remember the study

RE: I think they got poached.
 

also i have been hunting a trail and field that has had alot of use. The trail was used all the time. The field had alot of deer there. now nothing

RE: I think they got poached.
 

If you are not seeing does also i would say its a change in their feeding habits. Unless you can find some evidence that there were poachers around i wouldnt automatically assume that just because you arent seeing the deer. Its very common for some huge bucks to come out into fields during the summer but "disappear" once fall sets in...

RE: I think they got poached.
 

this is from a post that you made earlier today

"this morning I went to my private land spot where we saw 1 140 2 130's and 1 160 inch bucks."

being from PA myself you either live in a honey hole or tellin a few fibs....which is it?

RE: I think they got poached.
 

RE: I think they got poached.
 

ya i was watching a 11 point about amonth ago he was gone.

RE: I think they got poached.
 

No, This farm has had two hunters, both of which arent picky and they are gun only hunters prior to us. now there is me my friend rod and my friend eric, along with the original 2 gun hunters and the guy i ran into today, its a no-doe killing area, and the farms around it are very closely managed.

Ryan.

RE: I think they got poached.
 

All my bucks that I had been watching disappeared too. Wonder where they went?

RE: I think they got poached.
 

probably a number of things....


change in food source

hunting pressure (bucks that size draw a CROWD...i dont care HOW posted a place is...i can almost guarentee that its being hunted without your knowledge....ive watched people get dropped off so they can sneak into areas...

spotting pressure...i see it EVERY year...deer get SICK of being spotted, guys driving into the fields for a better view, getting out with handheld spotlights etc etc....deer aint dumb...

and probably more factors

could been poached...but they could also still be there and go unnoticed...

RE: I think they got poached.
 

This happens every year. Arguably the favorite food of bone heads this time of year are acorns. I bet that if you find an oak grove near your area and you set up a trail cam, you will see your quartet chowing away under the moonlight on acorns.