Ground Scrapes and Missed Opportunity this past Weekend

[1eyeReD]

NOOB Question (I warn you, this will be long):

Yesterday, I had some "seeing" action for the 1st time in this RJD Memorial Hardwood State Forest tract that I've been checking out for a few weeks now (time very limited).

While checking out this large piece of public property... I didn't find too many hunters which was a plus. A handful (perhaps a car or two each time out) of smallgame hunters and the only archery hunters I seen were there a week ago at the parking lot, but I'm sure the don't hunt the area I hunt. Few hunters if you consider the number of acres in this area. But this was a mecca for horseback riders which probably explains why.

Fresh deer sign everywhere, however. The fresh snow on Saturday allowed me to see fresh tracks. While investigating the new stomping grounds I would backtrack and find that deer had already crossed my path on the way back. Around 9AM I found a ground scrape path where a buck or some bucks would hit every 50 yds or so leading from a nice dark ravine up through a flat ridge that spans about 100 to 150 yards wide. It was flat with thick grassy, brushy, and spiky cover across and is about 1/8th to about 1/4 mile long. I'm thinking this is one of the main bedding areas as the fresh criss-crossing trails and bedding areas are unbelievable in there. From there, this scrape path crosses the main horse trail and then goes up inbetween two big ridges and to the top where the private fields are. I went through after seeing the scrapes and came back around noon only to find even fresher scrapes over the old ones. The buck(s) came through after I walked through!!

Knowing this may just be the hot buck trail I've been looking for, I set up on the deer/scrape path just a ways above the horse trail about 20 ft in a tree where I had good cover and it appeared the buck(s) would last hang out at before reaching the fields on top. 2 hrs later, a long tined 6 pointer (it could've been an 8) busts me while I decided to stand up and sretch... I am kicking myself as I write this. I don't have much time to hunt and I would've taken this buck if he gave me a presentable shot. In other words, if I didn't screw up.... I went again this morning and was in the tree from 6AM til about 11AM. Was lucky enough to see a squirrel and a grouse.

My question is: Do you think they'd continue to hit up this trail after I've walked through it 2 or 3 times and even set up twice this weekend? Did I just mess it up for myself? Please do criticize my technique, I am open to constructive criticism.

I'm hoping I didn't contaminate my potential stretch of area? If so, hopefully it would be OK again by the next time I go out which is the end of this week. My "so called" reasoning for this popular tract of land for recreational users is that there are so many dag gum people going in and out on the weekends that the deer are used to it. Perhaps, the deer here are majorly nocturnal which explains the signs-to-encountered-deer ratio.. Then again, the little buck that busted my arse came through at approximately 3:40 PM.

I tried my best to stay scent free with all the gear have (sprays, scent lock, body was, water only, no peeing in the same area etc.)... Being quiet going in and out may have been a bit sub-par "bahhh!!"

But it was sure qiet there today when I was in that tree from 5AM til about 11AM. Sounded like some deer may have came through but not within line of site as my stand location is in the thicker part inbetween these ridges. Again, I was on that main trail of ground scrapes though.

I'm fixin to go back Thursday. Is it worth it?

Thanks in advance, 1ER

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

YES!!!

[walleyehunter80]

yes

[Coach1310]

I would definitely hunt that area again. You may have alerted a deer or 2, but it sounds as if you have found a main travel corridor. The other thing you have working in your favor is with the horseback trail, these deer are accustomed to human scent, so even if you left some scent behind, it probably isn't something they aren't used to. Good luck

[96trigger]

Hunt it again, but you more than likely have alerted that particular buck to your stand, he will probably avoid it, or at the very least, look to see if you are in it.

[delmuts]

You BET ! By giving the area a few days, things should cool off, and go back to normal.

[1eyeReD]

96trigger, that thought was on my mind as well. So what I did before I left on Sunday was I chose a different spot along the same trail about 100 yards up the trail. The spot I chose is some 18 ft up a nice tree (dunno what kind, but it's a living tree) and cleared me a shooting lane or two as this area will keep me a bit more hidden than the last spot. Oh man, I can't sleep at night!!

[USPENAMC]

stay in the same area but switch the tree or position of your ground blind the buck is expecting you in the particular area he busted you.

[JacobMHD]

This time of year any time in the woods is a good idea. There are a lot of people on this forum that would love to get out during the week.

With that said, change trees or position of the stand and you will get another crack at one. Might not be right away, but it will happen.

[picksbigwagon]

Good luck and sit down this week, we expect to see pictures by Sunday evening