Deer Scouting 1-14-06

In the process of scouring the grove and Christmas tree field for rabbits, I discovered heavy deer sign. While I knew there were deer bedding regular in the grove and near the pond, until I actually crawled and pushed through all of the thick cover, I didn't realize quite how heavily it is being used.

Based on large, "open" toed hoof prints, oblong droppings and several rubs, it appears a big buck is calling the farm home. The does make themselves very visible and their patterns are evident. The buck stays in hiding. There are rubs that appear to be around two weeks old - give or take a week. Right or wrong, I estimate the age of the rubs by looking closely. The freshly exposed layers of tree bark are still in their natural color. As the rubs age, the exposed area tends to become all one grayish color.

All of the sign, and especially the rubs, seem to fan out from two hubs. One is the Christmas tree field, and two is the grove. In the grove fields, he appears to be spending time on the west side of the fence row between the grove and the Christmas tree field. Also, in the grove, directly behind the house. In the Christmas tree patch, he appears to be spending most of his time on the eastern end. From this spot, he would be able to see anything approaching from downwind - to the east. And he would be able to smell anything approaching from the west through the cover of the Christmas tree.

A blind anywhere along the middle path in the Christmas tree field should be good next year. Probably, a little over the hill toward Bulach's.

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=10&Z=16&X=3515&Y=21828&W=2&qs=1052+morman+road%7chamilton+%7cohio%7c&Addr=1052+Morman+Rd%2c+Hamilton%2c+OH+45013&ALon=-84.6462339&ALat=39.4167826

I don't think hunting in the Christmas trees is good, because the deer approach from down wind. I think hunting downwind of the tree patch on the path leading to the trees would be best.