#2116136 - 10/17/10 07:46 PM
What a conundrum.........
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Bottom Hunter
16 Point
Registered: 12/29/06
Posts: 15488
Loc: Hatchie Bottoms
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I'd like some thoughts on this so please bear with me while i try to paint the picture correctly.
As some may know, I got drawn for a hunt on the Hatchie refuge in Haywood County. ...for next weekend. Two day hunt, two deer, either sex.
First off, I will not shoot anything other than a mature buck on this hunt.
Secondly, I have this opportunity rarely and where i am going is a really good place...I want to do well.
I scouted for two days and 'thought" that I had it all figured out......I posted pictures of the crossing at the creek in another thread and I planned to hunt between there and an oak flat.
The problem is that if I hunt there, i will have to walk about a 1/3 of a mile through prime deer area just to get there. i am afraid that I will walk across too many deer trails getting there and will basically booger up everything behind me....a full 1/3 mile of prime area.
Today, I decided that I may just set up in the closet oak flat that i can , about 100 yards inside the woods line. My reasoning is because I will be close to where the woods makes a nice corner, I'll be able to see about 75 yards of thick cover beside the oak flat and not stir the place up too much going in. The ground is so dry that walking in as far as I first thought that i wanted to will be so noisey that i might as well carry a bull horn.....!!
The further that you go into this stretch of bottomland, the more open it becomes. Basically there is not a dime's worth of difference in one spot than the next and it seems to go on forever. The edge where I enter is alot heavier cover than when I get in further in there .....
Where i have decided on, I think, is an oak flat with dropping acorns and plenty of sign (tracks and droppings) that is on the edge of the thickest area in there. I can watch the edge of the thick stuff , the oak flat and I will also be able to watch too many trails to count and "one" specific one that follows the big creek (the only water source that I know of).
My thinking is that to NOT advertise my presence is the best way to go about this and whatever pressure comes will be from out in front of me and/or on the other side of the thick stuff and deer may just ease my way all day long.....
I keep thinking though that if I do not do any good here, I will be sick about not going further in...my first instinct and choice....
the thing is....everywhere you walk there is so much sign.....
I guess it will still be alot of luck that a big buck comes by me in just a two day hunt.....
any thoughts....?
thanks
_________________________
There are some people who always seem angry and continuously look for conflict.
Walk away; the battle they are fighting is not with you, but with themselves.
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#2116164 - 10/17/10 07:55 PM
Re: What a conundrum.........
[Re: Bottom Hunter]
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stik
TnDeer Old Timer
16 Point
Registered: 03/12/99
Posts: 18427
Loc: lenoir city,tn
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start out in the closer stand. if it don't pan out, go with your original plan.
_________________________
experienced hunters know its not just a bushy white tail, its a big middle finger.
nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught
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#2116178 - 10/17/10 07:59 PM
Re: What a conundrum.........
[Re: Bottom Hunter]
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Spoonbillmallard
8 Point
Registered: 10/23/08
Posts: 1023
Loc: TN
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Well man that is just something you will have to juggle amongst yourself. I would go with whichever one I thought would give me the best opportunity. I take it that it is a draw hunt so you probably won't be the only one in the area. So walking through the woods won't be that big of a deal because you won't be the only one. Somebody can run one right in on you. But its a tough decision, I have had to do that before too. Good luck man hope you kill a big one.
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If it flies it dies!!!
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#2116206 - 10/17/10 08:10 PM
Re: What a conundrum.........
[Re: Bottom Hunter]
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tndrbstr
16 Point
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 12157
Loc: knox co tn
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Bowriter is the go to guy on conundrums,....that and cloacas!.. 
I almost always stick with my original plan, unless conditions such as weather or wind change them...I would rather go with my original gut feeling and second guess myself on that stand, then change my mind and be second guessing myself for not going with my gut feeling in the first place...Good luck which ever way you go...
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#2116259 - 10/17/10 08:26 PM
Re: What a conundrum.........
[Re: tndrbstr]
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RUGER
Arachnophobic
Non-Typical
Registered: 11/19/99
Posts: 4097469
Loc: TN
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Wear rubber boots and try not to brush up against a bunch of stuff and you will be fine.
I would go with my gut feeling and see what happens.
If I went elsewhere I would be sitting there wondering what if all day.
Good luck.
_________________________
Youth is wasted on the young.
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#2116282 - 10/17/10 08:34 PM
Re: What a conundrum.........
[Re: tndrbstr]
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TN RDG RNR
12 Point
Registered: 06/28/07
Posts: 6094
Loc: Rhea County
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I almost always stick with my original plan, unless conditions such as weather or wind change them...I would rather go with my original gut feeling and second guess myself on that stand, then change my mind and be second guessing myself for not going with my gut feeling in the first place...Good luck which ever way you go...
Good advice.
_________________________
WARNING: The above post may contain sarcasm and/or sophisticated satire. I will not be held liable for any psychological damage sustained.
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#2116317 - 10/17/10 08:43 PM
Re: What a conundrum.........
[Re: stik]
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Bone Collector
12 Point
Registered: 09/09/09
Posts: 6124
Loc: Murfreesboro, TN
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start out in the closer stand. if it don't pan out, go with your original plan.
That is what i would do. You only have two days so start day one in close and day two go for broke. Sometimes you just have to try to make things happen. Ultimately you will never know for sure where the deer will be or go, so with a little luck and the sign you say you are seeing I think you have a good chance.
_________________________
Don't let the screen name fool you spikes are made of bone too Semper Fidelis! The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. - Thomas Jefferson
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#2116506 - 10/17/10 09:55 PM
Re: What a conundrum.........
[Re: Bone Collector]
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FOOTER
8 Point
Registered: 08/13/06
Posts: 1763
Loc: HARDEMAN COUNTY
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I've learned the hard way that you should always go with your first impression, BH. So if I were you, I'd be on that creek crossing before first light Saturday morning! Best of luck to ya and I'll be in touch after your hunt as I have the November hunt.
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#2116707 - 10/18/10 04:40 AM
Re: What a conundrum.........
[Re: FOOTER]
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Bottom Hunter
16 Point
Registered: 12/29/06
Posts: 15488
Loc: Hatchie Bottoms
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All good advice, thanks.
I do believe that either place will result in deer sightings and shot opportunities. I had a small group (5-6) deer come by me sunday while I was standing still thinking. I was at the big creek crossing. The deer came by at the oak flat, some 100 yards away. I never saw what they all were, just that they were all deer.....
I do anticipate very early sightings and afternoon as well.
Alot will depend on if anyone has permission to access the area from the EAST, which is another private farm and alot closer than anywhere else access may occur.
Like I said, no access will take place from the farm I have permission to be on (South) or off the refuge (across the creek to the West). the only access will come from the North or the east and the east is not for certain.
At this location, i do not anticipate seeing more than one or two hunters, if that many....Again, it will depend on if someone has access from the neighboring farm......
I think I will make two places....I will hunt the one on saturday and if that does not pan out, then hunt the closer stand on sunday (before church,of course....lol)
I will be hunting from the ground as to see better through the timber and be able to see what that 270 can do.
I did shoot the gun sunday and it's on (like a pot of neckbone)....
should be fun...!! thanks
_________________________
There are some people who always seem angry and continuously look for conflict.
Walk away; the battle they are fighting is not with you, but with themselves.
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#2116858 - 10/18/10 07:28 AM
Re: What a conundrum.........
[Re: Bottom Hunter]
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BowGuy84
10 Point
Registered: 09/16/07
Posts: 4847
Loc: Nashville, TN and Louisville, ...
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On a quota hunt I'd hunt the hunters and the thickets...figure out where they are entering and let them push too you.
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