I need some help

[Kyle]

I have established in a few of my other posts that I am a first time bow hunter this year. Here is the situation:

I went to my spot to scout. I have found numerous trails that would suggest deer. They do not look heavily used, or used recently, but I have to believe that deer were the main creators. I found a clearing in the middle of the chunk of woods I am hunting.Its kind of on a hill with slopes going down to all sides of me. I set a salt block on the flat at the top of the little hill. I waited a week and then checked it because I have seen deer rip the heck out of salt blocks before on land up north. Anyway, I went to check, and nothing had even touched it. Not even a track near it. I havent see any kind of fecal matter from deer laying anywhere in the area, but the land owner said that in previous years it would be nothing to see 5-10 deer using the mineral lick in front of his house(which is only about 100-150yds from my spot). I know there is deer in the surrounding area because I have seen them. I moved my salt block a few yds and put in the "V" of a tree about 3ft off the ground hoping to draw deer better. Am I doing somthing wrong? Has anyone seen this kind of thing before? What do I do? I thought I had a great spot, but now I am getting worried with it becoming closer to the season opener. If I should move my attention to a different spot I need to know now so I can scout and plan.

Thanks for any advice!

[Studer]

I would say to just go out for a night or two and just sit in a stand. See where they are moving in and out of and that is probably the best way to scout them is to just be out there watching. Can you see the landowners mineral lick?? Where are the deer coming from N,S,E,W?? Be patient and you will find them. Good Luck. Let us know what you find??

[Kyle]

The land owner doent have a mineral lick out this year, and hasnt really seen many deer this summer.

[EXTREME]

Where I hunt it is heavily wooded. In my past experience; it is hard to determine good sign this time of year. Where the deer eat mainly browse; they have really no reason to move around. When we get our first frost, or if there is some thing better for them to eat, they will move more. Plus, it has been so darn dry that it is hard to see any tracks. What I am trying to say here is be patient. Set up a stand where you had originally seen deer and use it on opener. Give it a few days and then make your decision.

[BLACKJACK]

Where are you hunting at? Concentrate on the food sources. This time of year that means acorns, soybeans (look for the top leaves browsed off), alfalfa. Spend some time in the evenings driving the gravel roads glassing fields. Concentrate on natural funnels - tree rows, waterways, fencelines, field approaches. For deer right now, life is good, lots of food, they meander here and there and bed where they want, you're not going to see big trails. It is dry out which will inhibit tracks, if we do get any rain, get out there scouting! Also use that dryness, check for watering spots, they have to have water.

Good luck!

[Kyle]

Anyone else have any suggestions?

[Deitz Dittrich]

really only one way to know.. camo up, and sit an evening and see what comes around? You can practice making slow movements if nothing at all... thats the only way to know if there really are deer there or not?