Going Simple

Here in Alabama we have a long deer season. Beginning with bow season in mid. Oct. and gun season coming in Nov. through Jan.31. We begin by carrying all the gear that helps us chase the elusive whitetail. Some where about mid. season I start going simple and lighter. I even find myself going to the woods with just my rifle and grunt tube. I'm not alone in this, as I have heard other hunters talk about doing the same thing. Where at the beginning I carried a back pack full of gear. Most hunters try to live by the boy scout rule always go prepared. But as the weight of our gear makes itself known some of us start going simple.

Camera Shy

I've been using trail cameras for about 4 years and have captured many great shots. I have pictures of some magnificent bucks. I have quite a few of does and young bucks also. Although I've placed my cameras in some great locations, I have yet to catch the buck I'm really after in any of my shots. 2 years ago we found a shed antler that carried 6 points on one side. This year I've found a rub on a tree that is 28 to 30 inches in diameter. I catch some big body pictures with the head gear hidden or turned the wrong way. It is like the bucks can sense the reason for the camera or they are just camera shy. I wonder why some bucks look as if they are posing for the camera and others are always hiding. I guess it is the same reason that some bucks are like ghost that people never see, while others are seen regularly. I guess if we had all the reasons answered for us we would be bored with chasing these beautiful animals.

Changing Thermal Winds

I hung a deer stand well before season so the deer would get used to it being there. This stand always had the wind blowing from left to right when I sat in it before season. This would have kept my scent blowing back in the direction from where I came and toward a house. I was looking forward to hunting from this stand, for every year I have found some great sign around this area. As winter and hunting season came I prepared to hunt from this stand. The first time I hunted from this stand, I noticed that the winds had changed. I didn't think this was a problem because the wind blew into my face, until I got busted by deer coming from behind me. This happened every time I tried to hunt from this stand if it was cold. If it was warm it went back to the way it was from left to right. I decided that as the temperature dropped the thermal winds changed. As you hang your stands watch out for these changing thermal winds they may cost you some good hunts. As for me I learn from my mistakes, I will be able to hunt this area by moving the stand about 50 yards where the wind funnels down between 2 small hills. The wind stays the same between these hills warm or cold. Also moving gave me another view of a logging road where I have found rubs and scrapes. But moving also keeps me from seeing a pond on the property also surrounded by rubs and scrapes. I guess you just can't have everything.

Beliefs

There is an old statement saying "you have to stand for something or you will fall for anything". I believe that goes for hunting products also. I am not bashing any product. I just get amazed that hunting shows push products that they don't believe in. I understand sponsorship and you push what ever pays the bills. But you should use what you push. I have seen some shows be sponsored by a type of rifle and when you see them hunting they are using a different type.
I have a 4x4 that came with hunting stickers of products on the windows. When I added more I decided only to put what products that I use. This way if any of my friends saw my truck and the stickers they wouldn't go buy a product they thought I trusted unless it was. I only use or swear by a product if I have tested it and know it works. I wish more host of hunting shows would decide this.