I think I ruined my hunting spot!

[MI newguy]

I think I ruined my hunting spot!

Here's the scoop! I finally gained permission the hunt a spot that has not been hunted in 15-20 years. I was baiting with shelled corn & a few beets. I noticed that with the corn, I was getting in several coons (10-15). In the evening, and some times a few porkey pines. I was seeing several deer, I put down a few apples with the beets and the deer were eating them and no coons or porkeys. Having access to an apple orchard, I waited for all the beets to be gone. Then switched to all apples, the first day I didn't see anything. Which sometimes happens with fresh bait. Yesterday I had, I kid you not 20 coons and two porkey pines show up. No deer at all. I think I ruined my hunting spot! The owner of the property would like to hunt it himself starting on Tuesday, November 1st.

Should I go out and remove all the two gallons of apples, then replace it with beets? Don't worry about it, the deer will come? I only have until Tuesday to hunt, and can't afford to have things taken over by coons and porkey pines!:help:

[MAttt]

Forget the Bait....

Hunt a Scrape!


:smile-mad

.............................................

[skipper34]

Amen to that..............then you won't have to worry bout' the coons and porkeys.

[jduck]

:sad: Feeding the wildlife is great and all. But take the time to look around for the scrapes and rub lines; scout the whole property. Pay attention to fence lines, where are the deer entering/exiting the property. Invest $100 in a digital game camera. And most of all set up several stands. If your not seeing any deer in one spot after a couple times MOVE. You might be tempted like I did one year when I first started, hunt a good looking spot all season and see Zilch. Find the main travel routes and you'll see deer.

[MI newguy]

Good news, I went to check the bait and apples are all gone. I guess with only 2 gallons down, it wouldn't take long for 15 coons to empty it! Put some beets down and will try again tonight.

I use bait because I have had great success with it. I already shot an 8 point of the pile. Seen another 8 & a 5 point the other night. Shot was not right and getting dark, passed on shot! No more apples or corn for me, sugar beets only for the rest of the week.......

[gills]

Porkies will definetely eat the beets! Had 2 of the biggest I've ever seen in last weekend. Might have to care of that problem soon.

[unclecbass]

Shoot a porkey and mount it. Real cool taxidermy and you wont have to wory about people touching it and messing it up.

[john warren]

porkies are damn fine food. ive heard coon isn't bad, never tried it.

[jduck]

Is there a porkie season I'm missing out on?

[Tecumseh]

Shoot the porkeys and make a quill fence to keep the coons out:lol: . Just kidding, just shoot the porkeys. Did I forget to mention to shoot the porkeys? So yeah, shoot the porkeys and see if you can locate any rubs or scrapes to set up by. Regardless, hunt hard this weekend. Good luck.

[Rudi's Dad]

Shoot both the porkeys and the coons. Skunks too if they show up.

[MI newguy]

First - I'm trying to hunt deer, not shoot everything that moves in the woods.

I put some beets down yesterday, I went out that evening and had a five point coming in. He stopped about 30 yards out, behind a tree. As he smelled, he decided that something wasn't right, turned and left the same way he came in. Do you think the smell of the coons on the pile from before spooked him? I"ll find out more tonight, sometimes with putting my scent down from baiting, they get spookey!

Good news is I didn't see any coons or porkeys! Just blue jays and tweety birds, and the one deer............................

[schopie4]

Do you think the smell of the coons on the pile from before spooked him?

Coons live in the woods with the deer all year long. The only thing that spooked him was your smell, not that of the coons

[Masterblaster1]

Sounds like you need to do the small game a favor and start taking out some coons!

[MI newguy]

o.k. all is well, went out tonight and had a 6 point within 35 yards, then 10 minutes later a 3 pointer comes in. Good night, no coons or porkey pines!

Getting alot colder up here in the north country, 30 deg right now, heavy frost expected in the morning. And I seen a fresh scrape on the way to the blind. SWEET...........................