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Three weeks since deer season opened. Still bone dry.

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Three weeks since deer season opened. Still bone dry.

Old 10-22-2012, 02:30 PM
  #1  
Spike
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Default Three weeks since deer season opened. Still bone dry.

New hunter here, just started this season.

How has it been for the rest of you guys?

I feel like I am doing something wrong. I usually sit at one spot for a few hours, calling with my grunt call and nothing comes in.

I have only seen a deer on opening day and he ran past where I was sitting as if someone scared them past. I use a scent killer too.

I don't use a treestand or a blind, I like to sit under a tree or somewhere natural.

Am I doing something wrong?
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Old 10-22-2012, 04:23 PM
  #2  
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i hunted the first 9 days of season and a couple random days since then. on the average day i saw about 4-5 deer. i had 2 spikes walk 12 yards from me while i was sitting on the ground but i couldnt tell if they were 3inches which seperates bucks from does so i let em walk. i had a tall tined 6 point walk towards me during legal hours but i could barely see him.

i believe there was only one day where i didnt jump at least one deer on my way to the stand. i have heard other people in the same county as me in illinois saying that its slow but i havent experienced that yet.
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Old 10-22-2012, 05:47 PM
  #3  
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Its the same here for me in oklahoma its been real slow but the weather supposed to change this weekend so i am hoping they start moving more.
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Old 10-22-2012, 06:34 PM
  #4  
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Far to go to beat record dry spell!.
Get in their way and blend in. Enjoy time out there,scoring is frosting on the cake. Its work too.
When it happens less often it means more. No i repeat no, pressure on yourself,its not fun and won,t help accuracy and shot choices. "If" you are doing anything wrong,so what,your the one in the arena
Try having multiple areas to hunt,rest them in between unless working a particular critter carefully.
They have the rest of their life to avoid you,its in their best interest. How long do you have?
Happy hunting.

Last edited by monoped; 10-22-2012 at 07:05 PM.
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Old 10-23-2012, 04:49 AM
  #5  
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-warm weather
-not in area where deer frequently move thru
-being spotted before you see them

Could be a number of things. Just have patience and continue to be out there. Hunting is never easy all the time.
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Old 10-23-2012, 05:06 AM
  #6  
j76
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I'm 3 weeks in as well and it hasn't been real exciting! But its a numbers game. The more time out after em the better your chances. Colder weather and the rut closing in will help i'm sure. I'd also be easy with that grunt call. Especially when on the ground. They can pinpoint your location pretty easy when you call they can work in and bust ya and you may never even know they were there. I try to only use a call as last resort, like when i see one and can tell there is no way he is ever gonna come to me otherwise. When they're rutting well you may get away with it but i thinks its a bit early yet, at least it is here. Just keep after em and as was said already, have a few different spots and don't hammer the same location too hard, they get wise to ya pretty quick. No matter what ya do or how ya do it you have to be in an area where the deer want to be or nothing will work. Good luck!
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Old 10-23-2012, 05:10 AM
  #7  
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I skipped the first archery wknd......but I've hunted plenty since and I've seen exactly 1 fawn......and a flag going over a ridge.

Granted, I've been on mostly new spots due to the changed/reduced bag limits this season, but they seemed quite promising earlier in the year. Usually I've seen 10-20 deer by now, but both last year and this year has been real slow for me.

It should pick up this weekend with the weather changes....Stay positive, hunting can be sooo boring, UNTIL ITS NOT!!!!!
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Old 10-23-2012, 12:02 PM
  #8  
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Usually by now I have 3 or 4 down. So far I have been blanked. I've seen deer and even shot at 2. One I plain flat out misjudged the yardage and I trimmed off some chest fat and hair. The second one I hit a branch I didn't see. My time is drawing near as I'm sure you will too.
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Old 10-23-2012, 12:52 PM
  #9  
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I dont know how the deer are in PA, but put the call away its still early for that. Besides, the last thing you want the deer in your area to associate with your scent is you grunts. Get between their bedding and their food and setup early. Thats definitely the easiest way to score a kill.
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Old 10-23-2012, 03:46 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by j76
I'm 3 weeks in as well and it hasn't been real exciting! But its a numbers game. The more time out after em the better your chances. Colder weather and the rut closing in will help i'm sure. I'd also be easy with that grunt call. Especially when on the ground. They can pinpoint your location pretty easy when you call they can work in and bust ya and you may never even know they were there. I try to only use a call as last resort, like when i see one and can tell there is no way he is ever gonna come to me otherwise. When they're rutting well you may get away with it but i thinks its a bit early yet, at least it is here. Just keep after em and as was said already, have a few different spots and don't hammer the same location too hard, they get wise to ya pretty quick. No matter what ya do or how ya do it you have to be in an area where the deer want to be or nothing will work. Good luck!
Great post, with great advice.
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