So you might not have the biggest tract of land, maybe not the most trophy bucks, maybe limited time or finances. Just like my size limited grandpup, you ignore the supposed limitations and you go after the challenge like you are the baddest muther on the planet. Don't make excuses, just do it. Ignore the obstacles. Make your goals and shoot for them.
My buddy is aging on me and hardly makes complete rounds with me before heading back to the Jeep. Been a great companion at the farm over the years, even knows which way a tree Im cutting is going to fall. This is edge of one my original hinge cuttings Random Cluster #3. Sits just off the edge of the ridge and 200 yds down wind/west of my Ravine plot. Perfect for a buck to scent ck the field while traveling along the ridge side. Its gotten beat down over time and I need to refresh her. Always cut channels thru your cuttings. You can see path thru cut log, and make them at least 6 feet wide. Deer don't like confinement. I have predators you know.
The mentioned Ravine plot. Hottest plot for bucks. Secluded, plenty of edge feathering, water near by. Has clover , rye , wheat, brassica, and a kitchen sink thrown into the creek by the old farmer. No lie.
Along its edges is what deer love come spring since it greens early. MFR and Greenbrier. You can see its browse.
One of my homemade rabbit dens. Hawks really dont give them much chance to overpopulate.
Pairs are so much easier than apples. Throw them in the ground and they just grow, ignoring cold, heat , drought, and monsoon.
Yep my buddy making his rounds as usual. He will turn up a log road just past here and about 30 yds in, will mark his Pissing rock that my dog likes to mark also. From there he will travel to side point past two of my stands, across a deep ravine to another side point and a large bedding area , again past another of my stands. Eventually he will make the circle back to my lower plots and repeat in a few days. The bears follow a similar route but tend to tear up logs along the way to mark their tracks.
Didn't take any doe this year since still rebuilding from some bad winters. Probably should've I guess. Heavy acorn crop kept them healthy.
Overview of past season...
Hunted with only recurve this year. Couldn't get shot at couple bucks due to range limitations, but not a worry.
Never checked trail cameras once season started. Was more fun hunting than I've had for a while. Each buck was a surprise, and I hunted as the land, wind, conditions, and my gut feeling told me. It was awesome.
Place 2 ladder stands. Definately made to set up in flat land. They are comfortable, great for rifle, not as much so for bow. I don't find them all that much easier than my lock on stands to access and I can hide the lockons much more easily in the tree. I do like them tho. And can be had for cheap.
Acorns made for really tough hunting as deer were very random in their travels. All the more reason to hung edges made by growth and typography. I probably passed more shooter bucks this year since I've owned the farm.
For some reason, I left a lot of arrows stuck in the ground. I always shoot an arrow from the tree before I leave in the evening for practice. My feeble mind kept forgetting to retreive them. Sad.
Pay attention to the intricacies of your land from the lowly microbe within the soil to the passage of nutrients it allows from soil to plant to the venison on your plate. Each niche in your land is interwoven and without one, then there is less harmony and success in the whole of the landscape. If this bridge loses but one link, it comes tumbling down, maybe not immediately but it will not stand the test of time. So it is with your land you have authority over. May you find peace within your self and in all you do. Thanks for all you share.
" Work like you don't need the money. Love like you have never been hurt. Dance like nobody is watching. "
