2022 DEER SEASON

[C1295]

Who else has killed a big Goose Egg so far this year.

 

[Crappieaddict]

I haven't, but it ain't over!

 

[C1295]

I haven't, but it ain't over!

very true!

 

[Shooter77]

Riding the goose egg train right now. Sad thing, with my schedule of family activities coming up, I will have only 5 more chances to hunt before season is over. If I end the season with a 0, that will end 26 straight years of at least 1 deer killed.

 

[C1295]

Riding the goose egg train right now. Sad thing, with my schedule of family activities coming up, I will have only 5 more chances to hunt before season is over. If I end the season with a 0, that will end 26 straight years of at least 1 deer killed.

Dang, I haven't Killed one in the Past two years. Lost my private property my Grandfather sold and for the past two years been trying to figure out public land.

 

[Shooter77]

Dang, I haven't Killed one in the Past two years. Lost my private property my Grandfather sold and for the past two years been trying to figure out public land.

I grew up hunting public, killed a good amount on NF land. When I had my leases in 2010-2 017, it was nothing to kill 8-13 a year. Those were great properties! 2 days before archery opened, I got a call saying they had been sold and need to get my stands off by the weekend. It was a hard hit but I just kept after it. I own 29 acres, so it helps some. Best of luck rest of season.

 

[DMD]

I'm a goose egg. I've seen quite a few does and a few small bucks. Nothing I was interested in shooting. My hunting time has been very limited and I have been hunting some "new to me" public land and I haven't had much time to hunt on my leased property. Anyway, it all adds up to a goose egg.

 

[Specializedjon]

I posted a few goose eggs during bow, it's redemption time.

I'm changing my screen name to "Shot High"

 

[arctic_cat]

This guy. I haven't killed a deer since 2018. I've let a bunch walk waiting on a wall hanger.

 

[C1295]

I grew up hunting public, killed a good amount on NF land. When I had my leases in 2010-2 017, it was nothing to kill 8-13 a year. Those were great properties! 2 days before archery opened, I got a call saying they had been sold and need to get my stands off by the weekend. It was a hard hit but I just kept after it. I own 29 acres, so it helps some. Best of luck rest of season.

Thank you Sir, you as well.

 

[rem270]

I haven't but it's not because I couldn't have. I think since bow season I've only been skunked twice.

 

[wsm]

Goose egg here so far but will stay after it .

 

[beefydeer]

I have had a great season so far. I haven't shot a buck in 3 years but I am way too picky. I have seen a ton of deer and alot of rutting activity. Only been skunked 1 time in a ton of sits. My son killed a 130" 8 point. Been a great season so far.

 

[killingtime 41]

I've got a half a carton of goose eggs. Season ain't over but if it keeps up I'll have 1 more to add to the carton. But I'm not giving up yet. When all you hunt is public for the most part. The drive to go and most likely not see anything takes it's toll. But hey it's not over till it is.

 

[Headhunter]

For sure me, but I have passed a several nice deer including an easy 140" 10 ptr. I have hunted mostly in KY, and unless I make a mistake, which is for sure possible, I am looking for a better "antlered" deer, at least better than what I have or something "different". I have passed several nice bucks and even though overall numbers are down, I have still watched over 200 deer from the stand. The area I hunt has been down for most everyone for everyone I have talked to. The shooting has for sure been way down, no where near normal, actually has a been a couple days we did not hear even 1 shot, that has never happened in the 15 years or so I have gun hunted there.

 

[Chiflyguy]

I've got a half a carton of goose eggs. Season ain't over but if it keeps up I'll have 1 more to add to the carton. But I'm not giving up yet. When all you hunt is public for the most part. The drive to go and most likely not see anything takes it's toll. But hey it's not over till it is.

I feel your pain.
Did it for 12 years.

 

[Chiflyguy]

Dang, I haven't Killed one in the Past two years. Lost my private property my Grandfather sold and for the past two years been trying to figure out public land.

Have you tried knocking on doors?
Maybe that should be a goal for the spring.
There's a lot of land out there.
I was successful and I still have Illinois plates on my car

 

[TboneD]

Saw a lot during archery and muzzleloader the few times I went but only took the one shot during archery. Still not sure what happened with that doe other than she sure as heck didn't stand still when she heard me pull the trigger of my Excalibur Lol.

Thank the good Lord I got my shot on "Crab Claw" as I guess I'll call the buck I shot second Monday of muzzleloader. I've only gotten to hunt two or three times since then with maybe only one sighting of a deer, and then I cut my hand open requiring stitches last Wednesday. So that's kept me out of the woods.

Public land can be difficult for sure for different reasons and if you're in Unit L you'll have areas year to year that have simply had too many does killed, no matter whether it's public or private ground. "Hunting the hunters" gives me clues to what's being killed and what's not, as well as the pressure that's being put on deer in a particular area and the escape routes mature bucks might use.

 

[C1295]

Have you tried knocking on doors?
Maybe that should be a goal for the spring.
There's a lot of land out there.
I was successful and I still have Illinois plates on my car

you got lucky then Sir! haha

 

[JeepKuntry]

Dang, I haven't Killed one in the Past two years. Lost my private property my Grandfather sold and for the past two years been trying to figure out public land.

Honestly I don't think you ever truly figure public out. So many wild cards there. For me I try to find sign post season before things green back up. I mark that on On X and revisit throughout the next fall. This year I took a different approach. Intentional looks for fresh sign, poo, rubs, scrapes. The lil 4 pt. I killed yesterday I found a fresh rub Saturday evening while walking out. For years I was afraid to scout during the season. Just get out there. If you fail on a morning hunt, take a different route back to the truck looking for sign for the next hunt. Learn where people tend to go and try to find out how a deer escapes from that pressure. If you want to consistently see deer, go to middle or west Tn. They have way more deer than we do here.

 

[C1295]

Honestly I don't think you ever truly figure public out. So many wild cards there. For me I try to find sign post season before things green back up. I mark that on On X and revisit throughout the next fall. This year I took a different approach. Intentional looks for fresh sign, poo, rubs, scrapes. The lil 4 pt. I killed yesterday I found a fresh rub Saturday evening while walking out. For years I was afraid to scout during the season. Just get out there. If you fail on a morning hunt, take a different route back to the truck looking for sign for the next hunt. Learn where people tend to go and try to find out how a deer escapes from that pressure. If you want to consistently see deer, go to middle or west Tn. They have way more deer than we do here.

I scouted during the summer after I had found out I had lost my Hunting Spot. But, this year like you said I am going to start as soon as the season is over. Public land is a new world for me and trying to decide which place to go when wears me out! Just a learning process I supposed that you learn from experience.

 

[MUP]

I've only gotten to go a handful of times this year, a couple in ML and 3 days worth and and evening sit during rifle, but during that time I've seen several bucks, small and pretty good sized ones, and two does being tended by different bucks as well. It's been a great season so far, but I'm still waiting on "the one" to come thru.

 

[Chiflyguy]

you got lucky then Sir! haha

Not at all.
I show up dressed in non hunting clothes, shake the landowners hand and introduce myself and if they want to chat, I sit and chat and not be in a hurry.
I hunt the land of a cattle farmer. I told him to let me know when he needs help cuttin hay.
My neighbor who lets me hunt his 16 acres, I always take time out when he's outside to chat and the deer summer sausage I gave him didn't hurt.
I had enough no's in Illinois so rejection is just part of the game.

 

[TNTanner]

Fat ole goose egg for this fellar also! Every time I've attempted to go this year I get halted by bad luck!

 

[348Winchester]

Have you tried the areas I told you about?

 

[Ladys man]

Have you tried knocking on doors?
Maybe that should be a goal for the spring.
There's a lot of land out there.
I was successful and I still have Illinois plates on my car

You may have Illinois tags but your a top notch guy, and I figured that out on 1 meet and greet.

 

[Chiflyguy]

You may have Illinois tags but your a top notch guy, and I figured that out on 1 meet and greet.

Thanks dude

 

[Snake]

Not skunked killed a young 7 point during muzzleloader because the guy that gave me permission and the 7 filled the bill . Been a little selective since seeing a few small bucks one mature but rack was messed up big time waiting on what did that . Seen deer every sit but one and depressing as it was it was on my property

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

Dang, I haven't Killed one in the Past two years. Lost my private property my Grandfather sold and for the past two years been trying to figure out public land.

Where did ur papaw have property?

 

[Speedwell-Hunter]

Not at all.
I show up dressed in non hunting clothes, shake the landowners hand and introduce myself and if they want to chat, I sit and chat and not be in a hurry.
I hunt the land of a cattle farmer. I told him to let me know when he needs help cuttin hay.
My neighbor who lets me hunt his 16 acres, I always take time out when he's outside to chat and the deer summer sausage I gave him didn't hurt.
I had enough no's in Illinois so rejection is just part of the game.

Chifl, love your approach to all this!