[redwinger00]

I've seen 109 deer all season with 11 of those being bucks I could identify (not including button bucks) with a weapon in my hand in a hunting mode. I'd say about 60 % of these deer would be considered in range of the weapons that I was using at the time.

Since the beginning of bow season I keep track of the amount of deer I see during the seasons. This year being the above totals (as of 12-16-03) and a few more days remaining in the muzzy season. I may or may not get a chance to be in the woods for a late doe season. But this may increase those totals.

Last year thru the end of the season I had seen a total of 137 deer with 13 being bucks. I'd say I hunted more this year than last and saw more deer last year.

This year was very odd for me. During the month of Oct. I only saw a total of 19 deer with two being bucks. I have seen the majority of my deer from Nov. 1 til now.

Now granted that many of these deer I saw multiple times. But I have hunted many different locations from Trout Lake being the furthest north to Ortonville being the furthest south. I spend alot of time deer hunting and consider myself very blessed to get to view as many deer yearly as I do. Thanks to the great many people that I am privledged to hunt with, you make the hunt more enjoyable.

 

[WoodchuckSniper]

Blessed is a good way to put it. This was my worst year ever as far as seeing deer. I spent a week in the woods up north and only saw 4 deer. A return trip over Thanksgiving and I saw nothing. I shot one of the deer I saw but the other 3 were running full out and offered no shot. In past years I would see that many deer each day.

In an effort to try and put a bit more venison in the freezer, I went out and purchased a muzzle loader and have hunted since season opened. Still not seeing any deer. I know the farm I am hunting has deer but there is still corn standing which is really hurting me.

It's been frustrating for me. Congratulations on seeing so many.

 

[redwinger00]

Last year was the first year a friend of mine introduced me to hunting standing corn fields. If I had a chance I would take my muzzloader and stalk thru those corn fields. You may be surprised at how many you will come across. Wait for a day that has a slight breeze and walking into the wind just sneak around in there. You will see some deer.

 

[redwinger00]

After going back and reading my post, it is not intended to be a bragging post only comments to back the idea that:

1. I firmly believe in the 10:1 doe to buck ratio in most parts of the state.

2. Deer are out there you just have to spend alot of time in the woods to see any and........

3. My wife is right........ I spend alot of time hunting......

Sometimes the ideas that are in my head are not always translated to my posts........

 

[DuckMan]

I didn't read your post as bragging. I thought it was a great post. It also shows with some perseverance, you were able to see a lot of deer. Too many people have complained about the deer herd this year for me. You need to change your hunting habits to match the deer's habits. The days of plopping down in the same stand you've hunted for 20 years are gone (in most cases).

Good job redwinger00! I wish I had that many days in the field.

 

[OTIS]

Your ratio is lower than that.


109-11 = 98

Assuming 20% of Antlerless deer are button bucks. (At least that is what the experts say about the harvest)

98 * 20% = 19.6

19.6 + 11 = 29.6 (bucks)

109 -29.6 = 79.4 (does)

29.6/79.4 = 2.68 to 1 Doe to buck ratio

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Marcellus Bodi]

Hi,
I see no problem with with your post.I see a guy that is in the woods for the joy of it and not just the kill.

 

[WAUB-MUKWA]

I see deer every day too. There is no shortage in my opinion.

 

[redshirt32]

redwinger,

It's good to know that someone is seeing something, cause lord knows I didn't! I hunted 12 days during gun season and only saw 7 deer, 3 of which walked across the road in front of the truck. Just out curiosity. How many have you saw on public land?


Don

 

[Hipskindt]

I currently live in Fort Bragg Nort Carolina. I bow hunted for deer 4 days in Michigan back in October in Lake county. I averaged seeing 8 deer each day and between my hunting partner and I we killed 3 really nice deer.
Here in North Carolina I have hunted 17 days and I have seen 7 deer all season. I have killed two deer in North Carolina this season and the Doe we killed in Michigan was 25 pounds heavyer then the biggest buck we have killed down here.
Someday I hope to return to live in Michigan. The point to this post is that you should be happy it could be much worse. I hope you all have a safe and productive season.

Tom

 

[omega58]

Eight different bucks and some of them were of course the same does. Hunting in the QDM in Clare area. . . this was all during opening day at my friends place. I have never had a better spot for seeing deer and what sucks is this is the last year I am able to hunt there due to a falling out of ownership. I will sure miss the spot, but have some great memories and bucks on the wall during the past 8 years hunting there.

Anyway, I took a nice eight point in the morning at 8:45, which was the first buck I saw of the day. All other bucks were spikes to a nice six. . .8 point rule at camp.

BTW - I am not bragging, it's just starting to hit me that next year is going to suck not being able to hunt there unless a miracle happens

 

[Jeff_03]

Since we are on the subject ... I keep track too... Here is my last 3 years, this year I have hunted more than I normally do! Although I have seen more deer this year, I believe it is due to the location of my hunts rather than the quantity of deer out there...

 

[redwinger00]

How many have you saw on public land?

Well......

Chippewa/Mackinac County:

National Forest and Federal Land I saw a total of 7 does sitting in the woods 5 "sits" for a total of around 24 hours. I remember this clearly because it was a 3 1/2 day muzzleloader hunt that a bunch of us go on each year.

Genesee County:

Public land I will have to give a rough quess and say around 15-20 in maybe a dozen "sits". This is not as clear because this is right near my home and many times my brother or a friend would call and say they where going out and did I want to go.

The deer are on public land it is just a matter of finding them. I can tell you that we have patterns the deer in our spot in Genesee County and can almost every time out see deer. I will also tell you that their patterns change throughout the seasons. If I sit in an area and do not see anything it is time to move. I will not dwell on a "favorite" stand because of seeing deer there in the past. It is a constant change thing when you hunt public land. Because it is shared land you also have to do some adjusting with fellow hunters in the area. Have had many hunts interrupted by my fellow outdoorsman but that is all part of the equation.

Hunting public land in the U.P. is a whole new can of worms. Our group (up to 14 guys) has hunted up there for 4 years now and I can tell you it is a different hunt for sure. The first two years I hunted up there I never saw a deer and many of the fellas saw very few. Last year we where lucky and got a six point but other than that we have never got anything else. This year I moved to a different area 2 miles away and saw 7 deer in 3 1/2 days but never sat in the same stand twice. I had to adjust. I believe that within a few more years we will have the herd patterns in our area and will be bringing home more venison from the U.P.

I quess what I am trying to express is yes I do hunt on private land and see many deer doing so, it is an easier hunt, but I also take the time to HUNT public lands so I am constantly aware of both types of hunting. I grew up hunting State land and the biggest deer hanging on my wall came from this land. I understand the concerns of others that there are not as many deer on State lands but I tell you when you do get one off the State land it is such a bigger reward.

 

[DuckMan]

I hunted both private and public land this year and had similar results. I took my buck from State land and was very proud that was able to do so. I spent a lot of time scouting and had a few spots picked out.

One tip for those of you who don't check in your deer........DO IT and be nice. When I checked in my deer the CO was in the spirit of giving and told me about the 6 10 pointers that were taken from state land just 2 miles east of where I took my deer.

Guess where I'll be scouting for next year's hunt?