Hi Everyone, [/align] I am new to the forum and was reading some of the great articles. I just wanted to say that I to have been a victim of a tree stand theft.. Had the stand there for 3 years and last year they tried to rip it out of the tree where I had it chained and padlocked.. They tried to rip the ladder off and couldn't get it.. This year however, I went to my stand about 3 weeks ago and everything was fine, Went to see it on Thanksgiving day and what did I see nothing at all... The best part of the deal is that there have only been two other hunters that hunt in the area.. What to do?[/align][/align] Any way the main reason for my post is that I have been hunting for 21 years now heer in the great state of Pennsylvania (Central Part)and have NEVER shot a buck! not even a spike buck! I have shot at 2 or 3 and had a great shot 2 years ago but just didn't have enough time to pull the trigger before he ran off. (He was scared off by someone shooting the doe with him before he came within 40 yards from me..) [/align][/align] This year opening season starts tomorrow (11-26-07) and I had already built a new stand somewhere else (before the other stand was stolen) and I built it 3 weeks ago in an area where that had been tons of rubbing (all fresh mind you!) with the exception of a few rubs from last year.. In my opinion I am guessing this is a pretty good size buck this year because of the signs of him returning to the same area and the rubs he has done.. [/align][/align] My question is can some of you guys and gals help me with some pointers before I head out tomorrow, I am hoping this buck does come back and I finally get my chance after 21 yearsto finally kill one! [/align][/align]Check out my Tree Stand pictures and the buck rubs around my stand Here.[/align]
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzets1c5/j...dbuckrubs2007/[/align][/align][/align]

Those rubs just mean a buck has been there, not that he will be back. Find the bedding areas or a funnel between 2 bedding areas. I would imagine the rut is starting to wind down now. He will be searching for does coming in to estrus late. Hunt all day if you can stand it. Many mature bucks get shot in mid day.

I hunt in some very pressured areas with low deer numbers and still manage to get opertunitys at good bucks every season. It sounds to me like your over hunting the spots you pick out... I have hunted almost every day since Sept. 15th. And I only hunted two spots twice.
Catching the deer off gaurd is key to being successfull.