Saturday morning, I had a trail cam go off with a good buck 100 yards away from one of my club stands. Of course, I wasn't in it, I was 500 yards away in a different stand. Saw a few deer but not the guy with the headgear I wanted. He was at the other stand. So for my evening sit, down I went to the same stand hoping he'd be in the area and make an appearance.
Around 6:35pm, trail cam sends a pic, and it's the big buck. He's 100 yards away. And it's still too thick from that particular stand to see him. No problem, just come this way big boy. Of course he didn't. I'd had the thought to not get in that stand and instead, work my way down about 50-60 yards closer to that camera. Would have either been on the ground or humping my climber in. Decided not to. Now am kicking myself for not being more aggressive to that spot.
I know it was just luck of the draw for that deer to come by the stand, go by the camera again (or not), I could have gone down there farther, and he could have randomly taking a route 20 yards different and still not been on the camera. So - the good and bad of trail cameras: You know how close you were. You know your scouting is getting close, you learn more for next time and it helps you build up to success. At the same time, you question and replay in your mind the statement "if only I'd have..." and it wears on your patience because sometimes, you know how close you were. That deer was probably 40-50 yards away from shootable windows for me.
I went back in there yesterday morning, got down closer, and ground sat. Saw a few squirrels, cameras never went off. Nobody at the club saw anything. Only deer I saw yesterday was a doe I jumped up on the walk out. But I did scout more, found more oaks, scrapes, fresh big rubs. Found a nice deadhead, and there was all kinds of historical sign. Droppings. It's clear it's a hot spot. Nobody at the club has ever hunted it for some reason.
I reset the camera to look a different way. It's been going off with doe's regularly since. I think I found a few really good spots to shimmy up a tree in my climber and be well positioned while scouting my way out. Am hoping he'll be trailing one of those ladies next time.
I'm taking Thursday and Friday off next week. Hopefully I'll be posting a pic instead of complaining about my lack of patience!
Around 6:35pm, trail cam sends a pic, and it's the big buck. He's 100 yards away. And it's still too thick from that particular stand to see him. No problem, just come this way big boy. Of course he didn't. I'd had the thought to not get in that stand and instead, work my way down about 50-60 yards closer to that camera. Would have either been on the ground or humping my climber in. Decided not to. Now am kicking myself for not being more aggressive to that spot.
I know it was just luck of the draw for that deer to come by the stand, go by the camera again (or not), I could have gone down there farther, and he could have randomly taking a route 20 yards different and still not been on the camera. So - the good and bad of trail cameras: You know how close you were. You know your scouting is getting close, you learn more for next time and it helps you build up to success. At the same time, you question and replay in your mind the statement "if only I'd have..." and it wears on your patience because sometimes, you know how close you were. That deer was probably 40-50 yards away from shootable windows for me.
I went back in there yesterday morning, got down closer, and ground sat. Saw a few squirrels, cameras never went off. Nobody at the club saw anything. Only deer I saw yesterday was a doe I jumped up on the walk out. But I did scout more, found more oaks, scrapes, fresh big rubs. Found a nice deadhead, and there was all kinds of historical sign. Droppings. It's clear it's a hot spot. Nobody at the club has ever hunted it for some reason.
I reset the camera to look a different way. It's been going off with doe's regularly since. I think I found a few really good spots to shimmy up a tree in my climber and be well positioned while scouting my way out. Am hoping he'll be trailing one of those ladies next time.
I'm taking Thursday and Friday off next week. Hopefully I'll be posting a pic instead of complaining about my lack of patience!
