I remember a nearby patch of woods never looked so good with pre-season deer sign.  So did lots of other bowhunters. In fact it seemed that they were competing for the same darn tree. Of course deer are stupid y’know. They don’t look up and never mind the lingering smell of humans shuffling through the autumn leaves. Of course they look up! We taught them that! Of course you are there opening morning to shoot a big’un and may be you saw a deer or two. In fact maybe a deer or two were harvested but no big bucks. I admit to being among those folks before. After the deer find out that hunting season has begun they shift to new territory in daylight and come back only at night. Yep, you made them nocturnal…

It is better to hunt where the deer aren’t readily apparent so to speak so as not to tip off the other bowhunters competing for the same space. Look for out of the way funnels and thickets and the nasty stuff and you will see more uspooked deer. Have you ever seen a deer walk as if on glass? I have. The deer knows you are there and is trying to locate you and seems nervous and jumpy. These are deer that will jump the string so to speak as the arrow sails over its back.

So be aware too many bowhunters in a really small area will surely educate the deer. And you will never find a big buck there…except at midnight. Yes the lessons we learn…

Good Hunting!