Southern MD Deer Help

[HandsOffMordecai]

Hey all,

Newish member and new whitetail hunter. Have hunted birds for years, boar, but have yet to bag a deer. Trying to avoid mistakes I may or may not have made last season.

My situation: hunting on my in-laws few acres (archery only), flat bottom in a ravine, pretty steep on both sides, year round creek on one edge of the ravine, very close ranges heavily wooded. Last year I setup my stand, feeder, and cam. Deer all day/night and pretty decent sized bucks. The weather in early season was hot, so I decided to wait until the weather changed (mistake). About 5/6 weeks in weather changed, and they completely disappeared. Occasionally would get night time hits.

So any tips for MD hunters? Did I spook them? Stand is about 15 yards from the feeder, opposite each other in the only semi-cleared area, about 15-20 yards from the creek.

 

[wirehead]

When leaves fall off trees and acorns / food sources change, deer patterns change… often times, a lot. It’s also very possible you pressured the deer out of that spot, particularly if the corn feeder was not on a natural trail. Did you ever spook deer walking in or out or while in the stand?

Advice? It may be you have to hunt them over corn early before acorns and leaves fall then late in season when food becomes more scarce. Really watch / control your scent - hunting the wind has a lot to do with this even bow hunting.

Lastly, soak up the wonderful reality that you are in a tree with bow in hand.

 

[wirehead]

When leaves fall off trees and acorns / food sources change, deer patterns change… often times, a lot. It’s also very possible you pressured the deer out of that spot, particularly if the corn feeder was not on a natural trail. Did you ever spook deer walking in or out or while in the stand?

Advice? It may be you have to hunt them over corn early before acorns and leaves fall then late in season when food becomes more scarce. Really watch / control your scent - hunting the wind has a lot to do with this even bow hunting.

Lastly, soak up the wonderful reality that you are in a tree with bow in hand.

And meant to asked what part of SoMD?

 

[Highvoltage1]

Jump in there first day and don’t wait. I’ve done this too many times and kick myself every time. As soon as a nice deer shows, take time and hunt him, whether it be in September or during the rut. If you wait, they always seem to move on quickly, especially with a feeder.

 

[flathead#2]

Deer will leave corn when the acorns start falling.

 

[HandsOffMordecai]

And meant to asked what part of SoMD?

Thank you for the input.

I have never spooked any out there. However, I do know there are others in the area that have stands up, not sure if they actively hunt them though. I will be sure to hit it opening weekend this year regardless of the weather. Its' in Charles county.

 

[wirehead]

Thank you for the input.

I have never spooked any out there. However, I do know there are others in the area that have stands up, not sure if they actively hunt them though. I will be sure to hit it opening weekend this year regardless of the weather. Its' in Charles county.

Yes. Early season bow, in my experience, is by far easiest time to pattern whitetail. I’ve had great deer, wimped out because of heat, and lost them when acorns fell. Take your easy sweet time walking in - door sweat. Take another shirt to change in to. A thermacell is super helpful.

Lived in St Mary’s for a while. Hunted the NAS and local state park. Beautiful area. Some nice deer. Good luck!

 

[HandsOffMordecai]

Jump in there first day and don’t wait. I’ve done this too many times and kick myself every time. As soon as a nice deer shows, take time and hunt him, whether it be in September or during the rut. If you wait, they always seem to move on quickly, especially with a feeder.

Definitely going out opening weekend. It was so disappointing to see last year. Hoping for a better season!

 

[jrbarnes9972]

Are there any white oaks on the property?


Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[Honyock]

As stated, the food source changed. When the acorns fall that's pretty much all they hit. Early bow is generally the best time to be in the woods. No pressure and fairly predictable feeding patterns. I spend the first week of October (bow opens October 1) hunting every evening. I don't hunt mornings during early bow season.

You mentioned cameras, every time you go in to check the camera you are laying down scent. I use Moultrie Edge cell cameras that do not have a SD card. The only time I go to the cameras is once a year to change batteries or if I'm moving them.