Major change in plans...went this morning to scout a bean field I was seeing some real good bucks and found the woods surrounding the field burned to the ground. Of the 350 acres, half was affected. I had one stand already set on a powerline rightaway and fear its destroyed! The firemen were still there putting out the flare-ups. They had fire breaks all around the property trying to contain the blaze! Time to formulate plan B...and quick!!!!

DEBob, I saw the headlines in the paper today and thought about you guys down there. I hope everything works out.

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

i will be scouting sunday for HOURS..i havent had the time and i think this warks out better. i know the area..i just need to find the routes(which i know) and i am n. i will try a reallt secluded area this year..it is a really really really long walk from the road.

Thanks Duckmastor! Just got in from walking the burned out area..WOW!! Damage is extensive! Saw two deer in our bean field when I got there and three bucks in a field across the road. All were downwind of the smoke and none seemed hindered by it. Found fresh deer tracks in all the fire breaks. Encouraging anyway! My stand remained unscathed although I can't say the same for the tree it's in. The bark is charred pretty bad at the bottom. Hope it makes it!! Will need to replace my rope used to pull my bow...it was fried to within 4 ft. of the stand.

Heading out in a few hours to formulate plan B. Good weekend to scout..just finished raining here in Dover and is somewhat cooler out! Good luck all!!!

Went to check my secret water hole and found the contractor digging dirt again! With renewed activity on the property I have my reservations wether the bucks using the water source will be there! Plan B scrapped, I moved on to Plan C...BINGO!!! Last March my son found sheds from a real good eight point on a friends farm. The buck hadn't showed all summer. Went last night and sat back from the field edge to watch what happens...about 7 pm, the buch stepped out from the woods edge. About the same size as last year..should go 130 P&Y or so. However, his big brother was with him!!! Giant 9 point, about 22 inches inside and tall, tall tines! Figure he'll go 150 or so!! Watched them for about a half hour. Some other deer were moving up the feild edge (including a 120 class 8 pt) towards me so I decided to get out before I spooked the bigger bucks! Things are looking up!

Checked a few other fields out from the road and saw alot of deer out and about! Things are looking up!

DEBob, Great to hear plan C has such great potential and your stand survived the fire. If we could get some more rain and it stay's warm, you might get some quick plant growth in the burned area. That might bring the deer back to the area as long as the fire didnt completely wipe out all the cover. Good luck! Only 8 days away!!

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

Duckmastor, with the cover totally destroyed, I'm going to take the opportunity to plant a few select food plots. Nexted big rain, I'll try and get some clover started..maybe mix in some ryegrass or wheat to get it green for the fall/winter. They area is decimated! With the drought already taking its toll, the fire pretty well destroyed all that was left. I doubt it'll be green anytime soon! Hope so though!

good luck there..is that public land u r talking about??? i became lost somewhere in there well, who is going out on opening..i am going to chill until that wednesday...and i will not hunt hard until nov...mayb the end of oct. i really do not want a deer in velvet just a thing i have in my head...i dont like the way the mount looks

My father and I will be out bright and early opening day. It'll be his 1st bow hunt. Hope he at least sees some deer. We'll be scouting one last time saturday afternoon. Check out if the corn is still up and with this rain, maybe we'll be able to see some tracks. The ground was like concrete before.

Any day spent huntin, is better than any day spent workin,,

Duckmastor2

funny..u r right..the ground was hard and still is. i hunt swamps..and that is it. my feeling is..that is only place where a deer can appear that NO one has ever seen...ever. u have that chance. last year was pretty good in the swamps, but u must know the lay of the land and how the deer move. it's actually fun and u think.
PERSIMMONS in the swamps r the ticket,,,through NOV the deer key on them...find a nice row and they will show at one point.

last year i arrived at my spot...it has 5 persimmon trees in a row. i opened my back pack...popped up my montana doe decoy...placed it in the ground..walked to my spot(not far) and picked up my bow..i looked up and here was a BUCK already...coming to the trees..for the fruit he ducked in and i was ready for him to exit. i ranged it at 72yds..i have shot out to 65. he came out...spotted the decoy and did a BOB and WEAVE with his head. sniffed the air...made me out and got out of there, but that is the power on the persimmon..that was exact time the buck came to the trees in the daylight...11am..and it was warm out.