Possible to learn while not seeing deer?

[DntBrnDPig]

This year has been tough on my lease in Bradley County. I have very little deer on camera. I just finished my vacation where I hunted every day for a week - went to different spots almost every day. Very scent conscious and walked in every morning so I had almost an hour before day light and walked out at dark. My average was 1 deer every 7 hours of sitting in the stand. It was very challenging, tiring, and frustrating.

Most of the deer I've seen have been young bucks ~ spikes, 4 pointers, and one 6. I've seen what amounts to 3 unique does. A Momma and very small fawn. And another doe that had something wrong with her right front leg. Seen the momma and young fawn several times.

I am finding buck sign (scrapes and rubs) on the lease but cameras over scrapes have those young bucks - nothing older.

I feel like I am not learning anything to make me a better hunter. What should I be doing to get better at finding the deer?

 

[PalsPal]

Has the lease been productive in the past?

You can't find them if they aren't there.

 

[Nsghunter]

I do not feel that I am "educated" about deer hunting and mature bucks but if they aren't their you can see them. If there is hunt pressure the big bruisers may be lurking way off in the distance or in very obvious places that get looked over. There is ALWAYS something to learn when I am in the woods but good times and learning doesn't taste as good as backstrap. I am hesitant to lease because I am afraid that once I pay for a hunting spot I would feel way pressured to harvest bigger bucks. On public land, I may not get as many mature bucks or get to plan out how the land is used but all my deer are trophies and they eat very well. Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[huvrman]

You're learning the most valuable lesson of all - patience. I hunted for 8 years before even seeing a deer. Shot at one the next year and took my first the year after that. Now, some years i see 40 or 50, other years I see very few. Hang in there, it will happen.

 

[Hunter 257W]

Just sounds like a normal good year for me?! :shock: Multiple bucks already this early in season?? That's about as good as it ever gets for me and i'm in Unit L.

 

[bigbell270]

My sightings have been down this year myself. patterns have changed from the surrounding land

 

[fairchaser]

Learning is what it's mostly about anyway. If you learn how to learn from your experiences then you have gained the most. The hunter who goes out and sits in the same spot and shoots the first legal deer and goes Home is missing the greatest part of hunting. Sure he has venison but that's about it. Most of us lay awake thinking about what those bucks are doing now. When the plan comes together it's great but when it doesn't it's just another learning opportunity. Sounds to me like you are well on your way. Enjoy it all!

 

[tree_ghost]

You can't find them if they aren't there.

Bingo. It sucks when you pay money for a lease and expect to have big deer in it then after months of running trail cameras you discover they simply aren't there at that particular time. It's a gamble every time we go to the woods. Hopefully over time we learn as hunters and slowly begin to increase the odds in our favor. I think the lesson to take away is not to lay all your money on one horse...good luck!