Havnt seen a deer since Thanksgiving

[Ladys man]

Starting to get discouraged, opening muzzy was awesome and I let many deer walk. But since then I have only seen 2 deer and they were running away from me. I need atleast 1 more prefer 2 to make it to next season.
My normal post rut spots are not producing.
Do I stick to the normal or just go to totally random spots?
Food plots were hit hard during now/muzzy. So I normally hunt woods but not productive so far.

 

[Remington700]

I would scout out new spots based on fresh sign. Different things each year can slightly change patterns.

 

[deerhunter10]

Scout. And scout some more.

 

[killingtime 41]

Starting to get discouraged, opening muzzy was awesome and I let many deer walk. But since then I have only seen 2 deer and they were running away from me. I need atleast 1 more prefer 2 to make it to next season.
My normal post rut spots are not producing.
Do I stick to the normal or just go to totally random spots?
Food plots were hit hard during now/muzzy. So I normally hunt woods but not productive so far.

Trust me buddy you are not alone. I'm feeling exactly the same way.

 

[ROVERBOY]

I've not been seeing a whole lot either, the last several times I've been. Passed on some does last time I went.

 

[nso123]

I have been seeing them in the fields during the last hour of light every time I have been. They have mainly been sticking to the edges, but I have seen a few moving out into the open.

 

[Ski]

Don't waste your season away doing what you know isn't working. Try something new. It also might not work but it won't be any worse than it currently is. But it might be better. So try.

 

[74MOPAR]

All the deer around here are back on normal winter patterns. Does on afternoon feeding and low buck sightings

 

[Rob-HC Hunter]

I would encourage you to hunt food sources. Like wheat fields or other green sources. Remember deer have been pressured so pay attention to your scent as you access your set and during the hunt. I have harvested some of my biggest bucks after the first rut. I stop morning hunts and exclusively hunt afternoons.

 

[Ladys man]

I would encourage you to hunt food sources. Like wheat fields or other green sources. Remember deer have been pressured so pay attention to your scent as you access your set and during the hunt. I have harvested some of my biggest bucks after the first rut. I stop morning hunts and exclusively hunt afternoons.

I would like to but our plots were hit hard during bow/muzzy. I assume they are only being hit at night. But I don't have any cameras on them, so I could be wrong.

 

[Tenntrapper]

I would like to but our plots were hit hard during bow/muzzy. I assume they are only being hit at night. But I don't have any cameras on them, so I could be wrong.

I'm going to try to go up to the public we hunt (same as last time) this Saturday...if you're interested. You have my cell#. Let me know.

 

[tntacomaguy]

I've seen the backside of 2 deer this year ( actually make that the past 3 years). Granted I don't have time to get out much, but I'm so tired and discouraged by no deer or really even much sign any place I have to hunt. I jumped one opening day of bow this year and the opening afternoon of gun I flushed out a buck about 20 yd in front of me. Had a couple days off around thanksgiving and spent several hrs each day out without a hint of anything. I sure miss the family farm where I came from, killed my first deer off the front porch.

Pretty much a total waste of money for me getting a license. I'm just wanting to fill the freezer, haven't had a deer for at least 20 years. Have only gotten back into hunting the last few years since living here. I'm not out looking for a big buck just want some meat. Thought about trying to find some public land that has the more liberal doe limits, but time off work is nonexistent and don't want to waste even more money driving and spending the night somewhere only to come back empty handed as normal.

Same with fishing, thought man I love to eat fish and there's plenty places close by to fish. Dozens of times out a year or so ago and hundreds of dollars spent on basic gear and not the first bite.


Anyway sorry for the whining rant. Holidays just have that effect on me.

 

[.243 Deer]

I've seen the backside of 2 deer this year ( actually make that the past 3 years). Granted I don't have time to get out much, but I'm so tired and discouraged by no deer or really even much sign any place I have to hunt. I jumped one opening day of bow this year and the opening afternoon of gun I flushed out a buck about 20 yd in front of me. Had a couple days off around thanksgiving and spent several hrs each day out without a hint of anything. I sure miss the family farm where I came from, killed my first deer off the front porch.

Pretty much a total waste of money for me getting a license. I'm just wanting to fill the freezer, haven't had a deer for at least 20 years. Have only gotten back into hunting the last few years since living here. I'm not out looking for a big buck just want some meat. Thought about trying to find some public land that has the more liberal doe limits, but time off work is nonexistent and don't want to waste even more money driving and spending the night somewhere only to come back empty handed as normal.

Same with fishing, thought man I love to eat fish and there's plenty places close by to fish. Dozens of times out a year or so ago and hundreds of dollars spent on basic gear and not the first bite.


Anyway sorry for the whining rant. Holidays just have that effect on me.

I've had the same luck with fishing because in a lot of places in TN they are lowering the water level via the dams dramatically.

My best advice would be to ask around on here for someone that might let you hunt. There's plenty of generous people on here. Second, might be to ask some landowners for permission to hunt in exchange for doing some work around the farm for em. Rest assured though, a lot of us have been having the same luck as you. TN does not have many good public land opportunities to hunt so many are out of luck.

 

[Tenntrapper]

I've seen the backside of 2 deer this year ( actually make that the past 3 years). Granted I don't have time to get out much, but I'm so tired and discouraged by no deer or really even much sign any place I have to hunt. I jumped one opening day of bow this year and the opening afternoon of gun I flushed out a buck about 20 yd in front of me. Had a couple days off around thanksgiving and spent several hrs each day out without a hint of anything. I sure miss the family farm where I came from, killed my first deer off the front porch.

Pretty much a total waste of money for me getting a license. I'm just wanting to fill the freezer, haven't had a deer for at least 20 years. Have only gotten back into hunting the last few years since living here. I'm not out looking for a big buck just want some meat. Thought about trying to find some public land that has the more liberal doe limits, but time off work is nonexistent and don't want to waste even more money driving and spending the night somewhere only to come back empty handed as normal.

Same with fishing, thought man I love to eat fish and there's plenty places close by to fish. Dozens of times out a year or so ago and hundreds of dollars spent on basic gear and not the first bite.


Anyway sorry for the whining rant. Holidays just have that effect on me

Where in E. TN are you...what county?

 

[7mm08]

Obviously not the expert here but hunted around Cookeville last week at a good friend's place. Seems they have mostly gone nocturnal for movement. Passed on a small 4 pt and a few does. Then 48 hours after I left his son killed a really nice 7 point out of one of the stands I had sat in twice. . I could write a book on this kind of thing. Happy to have the opportunity to still do this. Even had a great horn owl yell at me at dark one evening.

 

[tntacomaguy]

I've had the same luck with fishing because in a lot of places in TN they are lowering the water level via the dams dramatically.

My best advice would be to ask around on here for someone that might let you hunt. There's plenty of generous people on here. Second, might be to ask some landowners for permission to hunt in exchange for doing some work around the farm for em. Rest assured though, a lot of us have been having the same luck as you. TN does not have many good public land opportunities to hunt so many are out of luck.

I totally hate asking for favors or such and unfortunately my typical work week is 6 days and average at least 70 hrs. So I can't keep up with projects at my own house nonless trying to help out someone else. Didn't have to hunt much back home, neighbors would always give my family 1-3 deer a year.

Guess this rainy/snowy/cold day just has me more blah than normal lol

 

[megalomaniac]

It's a WEIRD year. Bucks are just now (past 1 to 2 days) switching back to food instead of focusing on does. That normally happens Dec 1st. That is going to make both bucks and does more predictable next couple weeks.

What's really weird is I'm getting older bucks and does feeding in daylight. That never happens this time of the year. Normally the worst time to hunt my farms is Nov 30 thru Dec 16. Usually all activity is nocturnal after 1st rut. But I'm getting multiple deer feeding at 1pm lately. Not sure we are going to have a defined 2nd rut in another week.

 

[Ladys man]

I'm going to try to go up to the public we hunt (same as last time) this Saturday...if you're interested. You have my cell#. Let me know.

Unfortunately Saturday is booked, basketball is hitting full swing now.

 

[BSK]

It's a WEIRD year. Bucks are just now (past 1 to 2 days) switching back to food instead of focusing on does. That normally happens Dec 1st. That is going to make both bucks and does more predictable next couple weeks.

What's really weird is I'm getting older bucks and does feeding in daylight. That never happens this time of the year. Normally the worst time to hunt my farms is Nov 30 thru Dec 16. Usually all activity is nocturnal after 1st rut. But I'm getting multiple deer feeding at 1pm lately. Not sure we are going to have a defined 2nd rut in another week.

VERY interesting. haven't checked cameras at my place recently so don't know what's going on.

 

[PalsPal]

Getting VERY few pics of daytime use of three different plots by does. But, I get pics almost every night.

I will say that I was opposed to going to the GPS trail cam at first, but at my dad's urging, we got four. They have been great at providing data on what is still around. I'll turn the plans off at the end of the month to save cost.