UPHunter,
When I use to hunt in Maryland I would see lots of tracks around the big corn fields. Well, I learned fast that those tracks were evidense of where the deer are at night. You will need to figure out where those deer are at in the day. Here is what I did as a kid. I read the article in Outdoor Life and it scored 2 deer for me. I scouted till I found really heavy used deer trails. I tied a piece of black thread across the trail from tree to tree. I then went back and checked those trails in about 6 hours later. I built my stand inthe area. tha thad the broken thread. Of course these days we have trail cameras.I scored the very next day. When on leave in the army I went to a new woods altogether. I did the black thread trick. I scored there the first day as well. Both areas were heavy marshy areas. Places where a deer could drink, sun and feed with out going far. Good luck and God bless this year friend .
Chuck

Thanks for the tip Chuck. That is very innovative!

Yeah, i'm gonna have to try that thread trick. I'm in the army and hunting public land is hard. I have a bow hunting only place, but, not real sure when the bucks were moving, i'll have to give it a try

My first deer was a 150 lb or so 2 year old 7 point with a bow. Opening day of the first time I had ever hunted big game, or with a bow. Only because that is what walked out, there was a 10 point as well but it wouldn't give me a good shot. The 7 point stood perfectly broad side and stuck it's head in the weeds at 18 yards. It was too good to pass up so I took the shot. Had it been a 80 lb doe it would have gone down just the same.

I just wanted to see if I could do it at that point and if was something I would enjoy. I was not quite sure how killing a deer would settle with me. Didn't seem to bother me any, I have killed five so far with no nightmares.

When you are first starting out you decide what is acceptable to you. Unless it is regulated by the state or property owner. Where I gun hunt we have to shoot at least a 7 point and no does. These are the owners rules and I abide by them. Truth be known, a young small doe will be easier to drag out of the woods and taste better. And that is really all I care about. I don't do it to impress people. I have kept all the racks from the deer I have shot, but have yet to mount any of them. And when I do it will be for my enjoyment, not to show them off or to brag about them. Not that they are really much to brag about any way.

As long as you don't feel you cheated yourself then that is all that matters. If you are worried about being teased ask the other hunters in your camp what they would think if you shot a smaller deer your first time out. If they are good guys I am sure they will be happy for you no matter what you take. When you get older and bigger you can set higher standards for yourself if you want to.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you have a great time. It is quite the thrill and one you will remember for quite some time.

Paul

Armyhuntingguy
The only thing the thread helps to determine is which trails are day time trails. Every average hunter can find plenty of tracks. The imfo we need is where are the deer going to be at the first thing in the morning { Especially in a WMA} Good luck. I sat in a tree for 15 days before I shot last years deer. Something else you may want to do is pull up the Terra Server Maps and study the area. Last years buck was not shot by the thread trick. It was prayer, Terra Server Satellite Map and the Primo 'Can ' call.

A camera I'm sure is a better alternative but in a WMA you are taking a risk. You still will need your scouting skills to find those trails. If I had private property I would buy a nice trail camera in a heart beat.

Chuck