What now?

[Football Hunter]

We created 2 new plots ,aroud 11/2 acre total on our land this year.Had pictures of 6-8 nice bucks in Aug and Sept.No new pics or sightings since bow season.This is in Overton Co.Lots of hard woods, some cover but not a lot.The frost,the drought,we actually had plenty of acorns,then the EHD.Our total deer sightings are donn 75% with only 2 6ptrs and 1 spike being seen.Even does are hard to come by.I think EHD was really hard there,after to talking to other hunters in area,as they are seeing the same thing.But one said the heard recovers quickly.from EHD,just feel like at best Im hunting does,But not going to kill one because I think our numbers are way down anyway.How long does It take for the heard to recover?

 

[BSK]

I wouldn't be too quick to blame EHD (although I can already tell that EHD is going to be the "catch-all" scapegoat for low deer sightings this year). Even in areas that did not experience significant deer die-offs, deer sightings and daylight activity are way, WAY off from previous years. It is more a combination of many environmental factors.

 

[Football Hunter]

thanks for the answer,been working to much to respond

 

[big jim]

I agree with BSK on the EHD blame game. The lack of daytime deer sightings on my property would leave one to believe that the population has suffered. But the evidence in the food plots and in the woods disputed that. Lots of sign but nothing moving. Maybe this can be contributed to the warm weather and the lingering foilage.

I normally hunt the woods in the mornings and the food plots in the afternoon. On my wifes suggestion seeing my frustration, I changed tactics and hit the food plot in the morning (in the stand at 4am) and 2 out of 3 days connected on two deer, one a very healthy 8 pointer (142 lb dressed) showing signs of rut.

Adaptation made this a sucessful year. I suspect that that as the second gun season progresses that deer movement will be more traditional and predictable. The last few days of heavy freeze have killed off all the available browse at my place and the food plot should be an ideal hunting location.