As I said last week, I found an active scrape on a ridge. the ridge trail leads into a thick pine area. the other end of the trail goes into a green field. I hunted three straight mornings-each time entering the woods near the scrape (downwind) well before sunrise. each time, I spooked one deer, right at the scrape area. it ran off each time, into the thicket. I never could see it. finally, monday, I decided to enter the area about 30 minutes after first light so I might could get a look at the deer. once again, I got right near it, and it ran off, this time the other way. I found a matted down, bedding spot up on the ridge. what can I do? think it is the buck? how can I ever find out? it is impossible!

I had 3 doe walk up on me the first morning, about 30 minutes after spooking the lone deer.

I believe I'd try and enter from a different way. Maybe you won't keep spooking the Deer.
Then ya might could have it ease out in Gun/Bow Range.

Sounds to me like you are coming in through a bedding area, you must change your approach to the stand. As to whether this is the buck your spooking or not, I don't know, it could be seeing he is bedding by himself.

The Tazman

[quote]
Sounds to me like you are coming in through a bedding area, you must change your approach to the stand. As to whether this is the buck your spooking or not, I don't know, it could be seeing he is bedding by himself.

yeah, I think so. the ridge is hard to hunt. it is narrow, and you either have to set up right on it, or on the slope going into the hollow. then, they can walk right up on you without you seeing it (had 3 doe do this). I just can't not spook it. I creep up real quiet. I think it just beds in there all day. I saw some huge tracks right off the scrape. I just want to SEE the deer at least. there is a good vantage point a little further away (about 50 yd from scrape). I sat there first, and it never spooked it. when I moved closer, it did. maybe I should stay further away and just be patient?

Patience is the Key to Success! <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

whitetail hunter said it all, PATIENCE! Good things (even bucks) come to those who wait.

The Tazman

HMMMMMM...... Looks like ya might have to do like some people discussed here several months ago, before the seasons opened here farther north.

Spend the night in the stand, to be there at first arrival of your bedding deer!

Is the scrape freshley worked each morning? How fast did you enter the area when ya went in after first light? Going in after first light you will have to &quot;still hunt&quot; your way in if you want to see the deer.

I am not sure what part of &quot;bama&quot; you'r from, but mabe you are &quot;getting lucky&quot; now & getting some snow. That will help you:

See where they been traveling!

Spot them easier!

Enter quiter!

Of course, if there is snow on the ground, the deer can also see you easier, but the first snow, and down there were you rarely get snow, the deer will not realize (at first) how much easier it is for you to spot them.

I always figuer it worth taking off work, to hunt the first snowey day, especially, if I am still looking for a buck!

Only an armed nation (state) is a free state! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> The people of a disarmed nation (state) are SUBJECTS, NOT FREE CITIZANS!![<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

scrape is visited daily. I placed a stick in the middle 3 days in a row--each time it was moved. I moved very slowly. got to about 30 yards away. it ran to a different area than I was prepared for. if I do set up and wait--which way will it move? towards the thick pine near the river bottom (where it ran towards 3 days), or towards the green fields in the other direction?

it is not snowing in birmingham--just south of here.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
HMMMMMM...... Looks like ya might have to do like some people discussed here several months ago, before the seasons opened here farther north.

Spend the night in the stand, to be there at first arrival of your bedding deer!

Is the scrape freshley worked each morning? How fast did you enter the area when ya went in after first light? Going in after first light you will have to &quot;still hunt&quot; your way in if you want to see the deer.

I am not sure what part of &quot;bama&quot; you'r from, but mabe you are &quot;getting lucky&quot; now & getting some snow. That will help you:

See where they been traveling!

Spot them easier!

Enter quiter!

Of course, if there is snow on the ground, the deer can also see you easier, but the first snow, and down there were you rarely get snow, the deer will not realize (at first) how much easier it is for you to spot them.

I always figuer it worth taking off work, to hunt the first snowey day, especially, if I am still looking for a buck!

Only an armed nation (state) is a free state! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> The people of a disarmed nation (state) are SUBJECTS, NOT FREE CITIZANS!![<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
scrape is visited daily. I placed a stick in the middle 3 days in a row--each time it was moved. I moved very slowly. got to about 30 yards away. it ran to a different area than I was prepared for. if I do set up and wait--which way will it move? towards the thick pine near the river bottom (where it ran towards 3 days), or towards the green fields in the other direction?

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Sorry, farther I cannot help you. That is hunting, in fact that is why it is &quot;called Hunting&quot;.

Where are they? Which way will they go? When will they come this way again? Questions we all wish we had an answer to.

The best thing I can tell you is go as &quot;scent free&quot; as you can, as quite as you can, and as slow as you can!

Do you know what I mean by still hunting.....where it may take you 10 20 minutes to cover as many yards, while studying (perhaps with bino's) the cover ahead of you?

Edited by - pistoltrainer on 01/02/2002 20:21:08

Edited by - pistoltrainer on 01/02/2002 20:23:00

good point pistoltrainer. takes discipline, huh.
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
scrape is visited daily. I placed a stick in the middle 3 days in a row--each time it was moved. I moved very slowly. got to about 30 yards away. it ran to a different area than I was prepared for. if I do set up and wait--which way will it move? towards the thick pine near the river bottom (where it ran towards 3 days), or towards the green fields in the other direction?

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Sorry, farther I cannot help you. That is hunting, in fact that is why it is &quot;called Hunting&quot;.

Where are they? Which way will they go? When will they come this way again? Questions we all wish we had an answer to.

The best thing I can tell you is go as &quot;scent free&quot; as you can, as quite as you can, and as slow as you can!

Do you know what I mean by still hunting.....where it may take you 10 20 minutes to cover as many yards, while studying (perhaps with bino's) the cover ahead of you?

Edited by - pistoltrainer on 01/02/2002 20:21:08

Edited by - pistoltrainer on 01/02/2002 20:23:00
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