DaveH

Wednesday morning I shot a doe. She ran right to where I had hoped she wouldn't--a thick tangle of briars, vines, saplings and some larger trees. The area is probably 4-5 acres in size and an awesome place for deer. Since the firearms season has begun and no shots had been fired from there, even more deer have piled into it. The problem is, since my only south wind stand was blown down by the hurricane, I can only hunt it with a northern or east wind. Suffice it to say that I haven't been able to hunt there on the few days we've had an accomodating wind.

So a very large buck has taken up residence there.

I didn't want to do it, but I had to go in after the deer and my wife went along to help--and helpful she was. However, we pushed deer all over the place since the deer we were tracking went practically everywhere in there. We emptied the place of deer and really stunk it up with human scent. And the sign was absolutely unreal and had my wife staring in disbelief at the "deer highways" as she put it. I'm afraid that this intrusion into what had been a safe place may have ruined it without me ever getting a chance to hunt it.

What do you think--am I screwed?

farmcntry

Probably not as long as you don't go around there for a few days!

adams

If it is still firearm season and you didn't shoot at the deer in that piece I think you'll be ok. You may have pushed them out for a short time but once they get shot at again they'll remember that nice 4-5 acres where they lived without being shot at. I think it'll be fine as long as you avoid entering into this piece unless absolutely necessary.

I have two doe that I've jumped on my way to my stand about 15 times this year. I don't bother them as I'm just passing through. I think the deer use the same beds because like clockwork when I reach a certain spot on the trail they get up and bound away often times stopping and offering up a good shot. I've come to the conclusion it's best not to shoot these two deer. They are sort of my "live decoys" and I hope that bring me old mossy horns.

Enough rambleing. I think you'll be just fine.

davidmil

Tell you what. I got the perfect plan. Tell me where it is and I'll go check it out for you. Those little one time ventures won't mess them up. The big guy probably just went around you a couple times and never left. Guarantee he was back in there this morning hiding out. Like I say.... just to make sure Len and I could check it out for you.

Rack-attack

Dave I wouldn't sweat it to much. Even mature bucks are tolerant of one bump in there core. Leave it alone for a while if you can. If it is a real safe haven I am sure the deer will bed there again.

Even in a worst case scenario - you have gained some good kmowledge for next season - and some off-season stand setups around or in this area may pan out well for next year.

By the way - this is a good time to start scouting and planing for next year. After a few months or weeks of pressure, the deer have retreated to their "best" safe zones. Busting deer now out of daytime beds can reveal great info for next year. My new stand list has begun - and next season begins in a Month!!![:-]