I generally like how the Indiana DNR manages deer. While it would be a change likely to cause revolt, I think more states should adopt the one-antlered-deer-per-year rule. There are some years I see as many bucks as does. It can be frustrating some years, but it can make people think before breaking the trigger on a small buck.
The county where I hunt must be ground zero for 2022 EHD outbreak as the state said "NO!" to shooting any does. I am glad the state is taking action, but I also see a few years of tough hunting ahead until the population rebounds from the 2022 outbreak. Estimates are that the deer heard is around 30% of what it normally is. That is brutal. This makes it start to look more like the deer hunting I did when I first started hunting about a million years ago. I may at times look at the past with rose-colored glasses, but not when it comes to those kinds of deer numbers. The "DNR expects the population will recover in about five years." So it goes...I always internally debate putting my stand up the day before the gun opener. It makes opening morning much easier, but it is extra human intrusion right before hunting. Friday was very rainy, but it was lessoning after work. After going back and forth several times, I made the quick trip to put of the stand; this was the right decision since the remaining rain broke up overhead, leaving my stand dry. It also got me more excited about deer hunting seeing "my" woods all ready for me.
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I woke up opening morning at my usual too-early. My usual angst and love-hate relationship with deer hunting had given me a low-grade migraine. By getting up early I was able to nap with the dogs; this also made them very happy. Soon enough it was time to get ready and head out to Mike's.
Once at Mike's, I made my way to where my stand was set up and easily got it up the tree. Temperatures were cool with clear skies and almost no wind. The love-hate relationship was leaning heavily back into love.
Shortly after it got light, I saw a decent(ish) buck working generally toward me after wheezing a few times. He was moving and through some thick brush, making getting him in the scope difficult. Additionally with no wind my scope was fogging up from my breath. Adding to all this, the lighting was weird since I was looking toward the sun while the deer was in deep shadows. I finally got a grainy bead on him in the scope, but knew better than to try to shoot. I let him continue on. Had I known how the next few days were to go, I might have tried harder, but there is no question I made the right decision. A short time later I heard shooting off toward the southwest where he was headed; unlikely I'll ever see that deer again.
The morning continued on and I heard much ruckus across the ravine - seeing turkeys on the ridge. With turkey populations struggling in much of the East, it is nice to be able to see them.
If it weren't for my headache, it would have been a nearly perfect day. Temperatures rose from just below freezing to around 50F with bright sun and no wind. It was so sunny, it was actually annoying at times since I was generally facing south. It was also a very long time to sit without seeing anything else. I was glad for the rambunctious squirrels since they at least gave me something to watch. As it got darker, I started seeing bears in all the shadows; I must be mentally ill - or deer hunting was bringing me back to Manitoba. Eventually it got dark and I was done for the day after seeing only the one deer. I couldn't help but think back to several years previous when I would routinely see double-digits of deer most times I went out. It wasn't only me though as I heard unbelievably little shooting for opening day.
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Sunday came and I felt a lot better, but the energy level was a bit low after seeing so few deer on opening day. But after spending a bit of quality time with the dogs, I was out the door again. I was in the stand well before light. It was once again just below freezing with a crystal clear sky and no wind. I sat comfortably in my stand and let my vigilance rise.
As it started to get light, I saw one deer on the ridge across the ravine. It was too far away to see whether it was a buck or doe and was too far to shoot anyway. I could just see it milling around before working its way off to the west.
I like hunting in the ravine, and for the last two years it has worked well for me. But I was seeing deer go back to the pattern which would put them past my "favorite" stand. And as much as I know the ravine can be a deer highway, my untested belief is that it tends to be used more during the pitch black of nocturnal behavior. Around 11:00 I decided to head up to my favorite stand. It took a few minutes to get down and pack up my stand and I was sweating when I made it to my two-tree. But it was worth it. Once settled in, I instantly felt at peace. I'm not sure if this was because I like the openness a bit more, or because I was away from all that heinous honeysuckle, or if the stand just has better feng shui (can deer stands have feng shui? I say, "YES!"). This was supported by hearing something behind me just as I was finishing a snack and seeing four does go bounding toward me and off to the south. It seemed like the universe was briefly aligned.
But that alignment was short-lived or I was imaging it. Other than one more (maybe?) deer in the ravine, the rest of the day passed without seeing anything. It was still a great hunting day - if a bit (a lot) slow.
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Monday came as a vacation day from work and I was once again headed to Indiana. It was a bit warmer, but felt colder since there was a stiff breeze. I got set up in the stand and once again waited for daylight. I was wearing my windproof fleece - so I wasn't cold, but it wasn't like the first two days.
I was hopeful as it got light and kept a vigilant watch. With the wind, it was hard to hear anything. The most interesting thing I saw was a cute little raccoon working its way to the south. It was young and struggled to climb a large tree, only to give up and work its way back down. Trash panda...
By around 10:30 I was clock watching. The forecast was for a good chance of PM rain and lots of rain on Tuesday. I wasn't seeing enough deer to justify sitting in blowing rain. I called it a morning.
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