Rookie Mistakes?

[Dhamilton1]

Typing from the tree.

Looking for feedback and suggestions on my morning hunt so far.

Blew a group of deer out of the field I wanted to hunt this morning on public land. Decided to sit up on the field anyway. Have the wind to my back and three trails to my strong side (right handed shooter) with decent cover until they come right out to me. Also have a trail to my weak side but I’m more exposed.

Unfortunately, a rabbit hunter showed up with his dog but went in deeper past me after I flagged him so he could see me.

Should I have picked a different spot to set up after my initial screw up and do you think any chances I had may be gone due to the rabbit hunter and his dog running around? (Not mad at the guy either, he has just as much right to hunt this public as I do). Any feedback to learn from is appreciated.

 

[131north]

It would depend on what direction that hunter, and the deer you bumped went. My guess is that you spooked them off and they didn't know what you were exactly, but if they see a hunter and his dog, it's not unreasonable to think he could bump them right back to you.

 

[krub6b]

It's hard to know whether you setup in the right spot or not without having more details about the area. It seems like you may be too close to the field since you bumped deer off of it, but you may be in the right spot and just got unlucky today too. As far as the rabbit hunter goes he may very well bump deer to you especially if he heads in the direction the deer you bumped went.

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[ThePennsylvanian]

Alot of things to unpack here. First, I'll start by saying I'm no pro, I'm just confident in my ability to fill tags. . . . .

Now first thing, knowing the spot you want to hunt is a good thing. Knowing the wind and how it will react at the spot is a good thing, but all of that knowledge does nothing for you if you don't plan your entry and exits put carefully. What I mean by this is, if you plan to hunt fields, regardless of the time of day, it's generally a bad idea to use that field to access you spot, as you learned this morning. Public land fields are "typically" hit very hard by all sorts of different hunters, I tend to avoid them. Now that doesn't mean just off the field is a bad idea. . .
With the other hunter pushing through, it's a 50/50 toss up as to how it will affect your hunt. Some spots have high pressure and hold high numbers of deer, in areas like that I'd stay put, those deer probably won't be that bothered by human activity, especially involving a dog. Now if you're way in the back woods and deer seldomly cross humans, I'd more than likely move.

The biggest take away here is this, regardless of the outcome, you were out there enjoying it. Two, if you didn't achieve the outcome you desired, look at the things you feel you need to change and try something different next time. There is nothing that anyone can tell you that will serve you better then your own experiences, just keep at it, learn from your mistakes and make adjustments. Good luck and stay safe!

 

[raisins]

You're sometimes going to scare deer when hunting or have them wind you. Having a few deer blow at you isn't the end of a hunt.

This is all for WV public land where I've been.

If the field is low pressure/secluded, then you might set up for an evening hunt on a field edge and catch a buck coming to feed in the evening. This is a low probability move. I've seen bucks cruise field edges during the rut at any time during the day, but again this was in field where they don't usually see people.

I would go back into the woods and try to find the bedding cover they might be in before entering the field and the set up along a likely travel path to the field. You're more likely to see one during the day that way. I generally avoid open fields on public land as it is a low probability sit.

 

[Buckhole75]

In my neck of the woods you need to avoid fields and large open areas like the plague.You will have company lots of times Guys flock to areas where they can see a long way Just my experience

 

[raisins]

In my neck of the woods you need to avoid fields and large open areas like the plague.You will have company lots of times Guys flock to areas where they can see a long way Just my experience

Yep, I try to use that to my advantage. People think that because they have a weapon that can shoot XYZ yardage that they need to set up in a spot where it can stretch its legs. But that is the tail wagging the dog.

 

[Trav2525]

If that field is a overnight/ morning food source it will be almost impossible to set up on them while they are in the field. Unless you are far enough away you can set up undetected. It sounds more like a evening set up to me.
As far as the other hunter there is a possibility of him bumping deer to you but I would think they would head to heavier cover,bedding, safe zone after several intrusions.
Coldest morning we have had and I'm stuck at work. Good luck!

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[Wyatt_burp]

You're sometimes going to scare deer when hunting or have them wind you. Having a few deer blow at you isn't the end of a hunt.

This is all for WV public land where I've been.

If the field is low pressure/secluded, then you might set up for an evening hunt on a field edge and catch a buck coming to feed in the evening. This is a low probability move. I've seen bucks cruise field edges during the rut at any time during the day, but again this was in field where they don't usually see people.

I would go back into the woods and try to find the bedding cover they might be in before entering the field and the set up along a likely travel path to the field. You're more likely to see one during the day that way. I generally avoid open fields on public land as it is a low probability sit.

This tracks with my experience. Lotta guys morning hunt the "good field" on the public i hunt. I sneak above them in thick stuff where deer feel safe. They stop to look at all the hunters when they get whacked by me. I love hunting the field in the evening though, still a bit back where I see them working towards me from the field.

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[mattsteg]

What is the objective of your hunt and your experience level? What's the local population of deer in the area you hunt? What's the typical amount of hunters in the woods?

I'm sure that everyone here who's hunted much has experienced deer showing up right behind other hunters, or getting bumped to them by other hunters, etc. And everyone's bumped deer on the way to set up.

Hunting a field edge in the morning is difficult. Better to figure out somewhere between that field and where the deer are going to hang out during the day that you can get to and set up without spooking them, if possible.