This isn't a thread about lack of deer. I saw plenty of deer. The area I hunt don't suffer from the senseless killing of does. Just lack of mature deer. Even on cameras.
Without reading any of the posts past this one; i would suggest sticking with it and not letting go of a great property. Especially if your not the owner, and if theres others that might be able to obtain permission if your not hunting it. If you saw plenty of deer, those younger bucks will grow, and although may not be what your looking for next year... theres surely to be several that are in that area that will be. IF not now, there will be some that will move in on those inferior bucks. I find that the bucks that i see after seasons end are often times the bucks that i see that following summer and target in the fall. The unseasonably warm weather has alot to do with the lack in movement IMO/E. EHD or not, I wouldnt opt out of 1000ac in an area where QDM is practiced. I would be palying a different tune if you were in an area surrounded by ground invaded by an orange army that kills everything that runs lol
Judging by your description, i would stay optimistic and maybe think "outside the box" on that 1000ac. While maybe trying a few new or already hunted properties and keeping pressure to a minimum until rut, or perfect conditions. and scout intensly from arial photos, and on foot in the spring. As deer hunters, many of us get caught up in what we know, and what we see while in stand or scouting. Many hesitant on trying something new or different. When shed season comes around, dig deeper and stay open minded and surely youll come up with a few "new" ideas to try. :way:
Most of the ground that i hunt is 60-80 acres each, with several being only 15-30 ac of timber. One exception of one property being +300ac total and 80ac of timber. Small tracts compared to most. Even on the smaller properties, i started hunting "outside the box" with either a new tactic (decoy and/or ground level tripod sits) and polar opposites as far as locations that i typicaly hunted the properties on... and my sightings and encounters went through the roof! Passing on 35 bucks this year, and ending with an arrow in a less than "trophy" buck antler wise, but a mature buck none the less, and a scrapper to boot
Sometimes that's all it takes. 1000 ac is a good chunk to work with, and Knowing how successful of a deer hunter you are, I know you will get it done this fall yet again! Never know if a 3.5yro is gonna blow up into a stud of a 4.5yro that you can either take, or let grow until 5.5. You'll be set for a potential heck of a buck for '17, and surely get a brusier chasin tail in '16 with the area having QDM
Just a few ideas to mill over. Although im an amateur compared to many guys on here and no expert in any fashion lol. Ideas can open anyone's mind of any level or experience to develop and even better idea
sorry for the lengthy post :/ gettin bored at work and im ready to poke a hole in a buck rain or shine this weekend lol
