not seeing many does

[mntbuck]

Since muzz season ive seen 10 bucks and only 5 does. Im not the only one in this area not seeing many does or deer for that matter. Very strange for around here. Just wondering if anybody else in carter co seeing the same? And also could it possibly be from EHD?

 

[BSK]

Since muzz season ive seen 10 bucks and only 5 does. Im not the only one in this area not seeing many does or deer for that matter. Very strange for around here. Just wondering if anybody else in carter co seeing the same? And also could it possibly be from EHD?

Far more likely the sudden decline in daylight deer sightings is due to the increased hunting pressure of MZ season opening. Deer are amazingly sensitive to sudden increases in human activity where it normally doesn't occur.

 

[muddyboots]

I have one lease on the north side of county that i would call my best lease. I have hunted it since bow season. It receives minimal pressure and usually has way bigger bucks. Since bow season i have seen 14 does on this lease. I started hunting my other lease monday and i have seen 60 does and 5 bucks since monday. Something has changed. Im with u i think ehd or something hit the northern lease.

 

[mntbuck]

I agree with the deer pressure but where i hunt there is none. I am on public land but its forever.Cherokee National Forrest.Ive hunted extensivly and heard very few shots in mnts.Our bear population has really boomed also. Last snow we had literaly I found as many bear tracks as deer tracks.Im a bit concerned

 

[LanceS4803]

The farm I hunt has seen a big drop in mature doe sightins. Lots of "orphaned" yearlings. One by one, the does have been disappearing, leaving little guys just wander and are not yet afraid of humans.
Still seeing bucks, just not the does. I suspect the does are being taken by a neighboring farm.

 

[OnceMoreIntoTheFray]

all I see is does. just saw my first buck on the farm since the last 2 weeks of archery season, yesterday morning. wide rack 4pt, I let him walk. no rutting activity. watched close to 15 does(mothers with little ones) this afternoon with no bucks showing up.

 

[Treestand Troubadour]

i hunt cherokee also, been seein plenty of deer, a lot more than i have in past couple years

 

[pseshooter300]

Mntbuck are you hunting near the bear reserve?

 

[mntbuck]

Mntbuck are you hunting near the bear reserve?

No but i used to . Im on Holston and Iron,off Hwy 91. Im not so concerned about bucks its just the big decline in doe sightings. I hunt all elevations . An example my better spot was not uncommon to see 10 to 17 does . Ive still killed bucks there last 3 years but am lucky to see a doe. I take pretty much whole month of Nov off to hunt so i spend about every day in mnts.

 

[mntbuck]

i hunt cherokee also, been seein plenty of deer, a lot more than i have in past couple years

That is nice to hear , maybe just my huntn.

 

[tnhunter83]

Doe sightings are down in my area to

 

[Mike Belt]

Here on the other side of the state and in particular Ames Plantation (Hardeman/Fayette Counties) I'm seeing fewer and fewer does every year. I usually hop around hunting daily in different locations and since opening of archery season there have been only 3 of the different areas I've hunted that I've seen any does at all.

I've discussed this with my hunting buddy and to some degree we both question shooting as many as have been shot in the past few years. With as much pressure that's been put on the doe population the days of seeing big wads of them together is over. By taking out the matriarchs the doe family units have really been splintered an it's unusual to see over 4 together at any time now. Usually I only see just a doe and her fawn and sometimes her last year's doe fawn as well. I also see more does wihout fawns than I used to. One or two deer can slip around without being seen easier than a wad of them so this also decreases sightings.

 

[ROVERBOY]

I've seen 4 different bucks during M/L season and no does. Worries me to tell you the truth. I don't think the rut is wide open around here yet and when it hits if there's not many does around the boys may go somewhere else.

 

[mntbuck]

I seen 2 does today. Only heard 6 shots all day.

 

[Bottom Hunter]

I have some does to spare...lol. Seeing ten or more per hunt...and a few small bucks as well (2-4)...Waiting on Mr. Big!!!

 

[mntbuck]

Goodluck on Mr. Big. Me too , but so far getn my butt kicked.

 

[Treestand Troubadour]

my problem is i aint been seein many bucks, seen a big 8 (big for mountain deer) openin mornin and thats the only horns ive seen, only other buck ive seen was a button