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LIVE from the Saddle 2024

Had a group of young bachelor bucks come through, one was technically legal 3 points on one side spike on the other, and another was the spike/fork I passed on a little while ago, fun to watch but I didn't pick up my bow. Both of them were looking back over their shoulders, I was hoping a big buck was chasing them out. Nope, same fishermen, leaving in a slightly different path lol.

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That's all she wrote for me. Got family obligations at 1. Do a ton of cyber scouting tomorrow.

Trying my best to be hopeful and optimistic, but this is so far the worst deer season in 8 years.

About 17 days hunted now, 25ish or so trees climbed. About 85% of those resulted in no deer seen.
Only 3 bucks seen on stand. By comparison,

Last year I struggled to get on Mature bucks, but from Oct 28th to November 25th I saw a buck every single sit. Many in range and not.

I've yet to see a single buck cruising. I'm blame myself for not being in the right tree yet, but man I'm jumping all over 6000k acres and it feels like I'm hunting ghosts. So weird this year.

To further add to the strangeness my cousin whose also a Fanatic is having turd luck this year as well and going many deerless sits.
 
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bigmike23 said:
That's all she wrote for me. Got family obligations at 1. Do a ton of cyber scouting tomorrow.

Trying my best to be hopeful and optimistic, but this is so far the worst deer season in 8 years.

About 17 days hunted now, 25ish or so trees climbed. About 85% of those resulted in no deer seen.
Only 3 bucks seen on stand. By comparison,

Last year I struggled to get on Mature bucks, but from Oct 28th to November 25th I saw a buck every single sit. Many in range and not.

I've yet to see a single buck cruising. I'm blame myself for not being in the right tree yet, but man I'm jumping all over 6000k acres and it feels like I'm hunting ghosts. So weird this year.

To further add to the strangeness my cousin whose also a Fanatic is having turd luck this year as well and going many deerless sits.
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Hang in there, they'll show up
 
It’s calm this morning particularly compared to yesterday and just getting beaten by the wind all day. I’m back in the same area I was yesterday after an encounter with a 130-140” class buck. He was tending a doe that came in and was within 20 yards of me for 10 minutes. He just stayed back and was playing guard. Never got closer then 50 but to thick to shoot. Today is my last day up north so hoping for the best.


It was 22° at camp this morning. I really enjoy camping in temps below freezing so that was at least a positive.
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Last post for day. Then putting phone away. Saw a small buck chasing small doe about 60 yards away. So grab a quick lunch and now I'm on top of the trail that l saw then run through. Decide to go all in since its last few hours of the rut for me. Grap the ASL and left the compound back in the car. It's all fate now. But l ashamingly almost didn't see the group because l was on forum. Wish me luck.
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Sent from my SM-A156U1 using Tapatalk
 
I hate other hunters now....Dude that l talked with at parking lot just walk under my tree. He knew l was in the area when we talked like gentlemen this morning. I was like 'dude?' He just waved and went away. I assumed back on the trail going somewhere far from me. 30 mins later l see him walking around the exact trail lm expecting the deer to come from.....Argh!!!
 
HuumanCreed said:
I hate other hunters now....Dude that l talked with at parking lot just walk under my tree. He knew l was in the area when we talked like gentlemen this morning. I was like 'dude?' He just waved and went away. I assumed back on the trail going somewhere far from me. 30 mins later l see him walking around the exact trail lm expecting the deer to come from.....Argh!!!
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Been on public for a few years now. Most people are great. Don’t let the loser ruin it for you.
 
I managed to wrap up obligations quicker than expected and flew out to this spot for a 2 hr evening sit. As I approached the tree a set of ear were sticking up not 5 yards away. She looked right at me and didn't give 1 iota. Zero. No flinching from her. Not startled. 1000029707.jpg1000029708.jpg

Then as she walked away took a hot dump butt facing me. I've never seen my season so perfectly sumed up. 1000029709.jpg
 
Hunters in the parking when I arrived this afternoon going where I wanted. I decided instead of crying about it I’d use the chance to scout/hunt a piece I’ve been wanting to. It’s a hell hole but I was sure they’d be here. Ground set up for now. Rattled in a nice 8 that wasn’t big enough for the torture to get him out but it was the best hunting experience I’ve ever had. About to explore more soon

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Back at it, moved over to the most public piece of private I know of… but I know there are deer and I cut the distance between last spot I sat and where I saw the buck(and very visible rub line). Been hanging for almost 2 hours and another guy just came in behind me and set up a hair down from me so hopefully he doesn’t screw it up. Exposed if comes through closer than last time(other side of drainage, but up 26ft for a little extra confidence. Here comes the final hourIMG_6206.jpeg
 

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Chicken farm hunting. Same place I've been 3x, just a different view. The screw ins have been in this tree for at least 10 years. The tree I've been sitting is only 20 yds away but there is a better angle back into the cover.
 

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On a small point into a swampy area on one edge of the river. First pic is front, hope something worth arrowing is back there! Second is behind, I think there's a faint trail. Now that I'm up there might be a scrape over to my right.

Third, is this an old rub? Serval years? I find trees like that that feel like they could be old rub lines. That one is on a small pine that seems ideal, even if it's a small deer doing it.
 
Horn said:
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On a small point into a swampy area on one edge of the river. First pic is front, hope something worth arrowing is back there! Second is behind, I think there's a faint trail. Now that I'm up there might be a scrape over to my right.

Third, is this an old rub? Serval years? I find trees like that that feel like they could be old rub lines. That one is on a small pine that seems ideal, even if it's a small deer doing it.
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Rub looks to have different layers of use, but nothing from this year. Could be a annual run line that gets opened up in the next week, or deer may have shifted their rub line
 
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