After finishing everything that needed to be done for the day, I decided to head into the woods at approximately 1:30. There was a solid wind blowing to the northeast, so I decided to change up the routine some and situated myself behind some trees at the southeast corner of the upper hay field, the same place where we saw the turkey the day before. I decided to try a more proactive approach, setting out a scent bomb on a downed tree in the field. I started out with some grunting, eventually working my way into some rattling sessions. After approximately thirty minutes, I began to hear some leaves rustling to my right. It appeared as though there may have been one or two deer down the decline, however, as I was seated too far away from the edge, I could not get a glimpse of what it was. After continuing this for another half an hour, it was time to relocate into the corn field, and wait for feeding time. I situated myself in the middle of the field, behind some brush which surrounded an island of trees. After remaining quiet for a half an hour, I began with some light rattling. There didn't seem to be much response, so I remained in my position, hoping to see some deer come out and feed as the sun started going down. After seeing nothing for an hour and a half, with the sun getting closer to the horizon, I decided to make my way out of the field, to check some of the other fields. As I was walking out of the field, I spotted a deer a few yards into the treeline on the east side of the field. I settled down quickly along the northern edge of the field and pulled out the binoculars. I could see two other deer feeding in the woods beside it. Eventually, one of the other ones worked its way into the field and the deer lost interest in me. The remaining two eventually entered the field, all doe. Then, four more doe came in from the northeast corner, followed by three large toms. Four more doe slowly worked their way into the field, as dusk settled in. There was no way I could take a shot even if presented with the opportunity, but I couldn't pull myself away from the situation, as it was as good a time as any for me to potentially see a buck, as all the doe were gathered together, along with a few hungry turkey. The turkey wandered their way clockwise around the field, eventually exiting at the southwest corner, while the deer remained mostly in the southeast corner. I decided to give the deer some grunt calls, to see how they would react. They payed little attention though, with only occasional glances in my direction, enough for me to get a good look at them through the binoculars, however. As it grew dark, I eventually was forced to leave. I gathered all of my equipment and stood up, they still payed me no attention. It wasn't until I managed to step on a corn stalk, creating a loud noise, that they looked in my direction. Slowly, one-by-one, they raised their heads. I walked the remaining ten yards to the opening in the rock wall, none of them bothered to do more than stare. I stood, watching, for a few more moments, while they looked back. It's starting to look like the rut may have come to a close, I was hoping it might have been pushed back a few weeks due to the abnormally warm temperatures we have had. Hopefully, there are some doe in the group that remain unbred, so we can get a chance at a buck during the second rut in a couple weeks.
Saturday, November 24
The day was much the same as the previous, we headed out at 2:30. Temperatures were in the upper-twenties, with mostly clear skies, and a light wind blowing to the east. We decided to change our location, in an attempt to get situated closer to the southwest corner of the field, where the doe appeared just 24 hours prior. We set up in a cluster of boulders on the south side of the field, in a small area of hardwoods. We put some post-rut scent approximately 50 yards out, on some of the bent-over corn stalks. While quietly chatting with my hunting partner, I couldn't help but notice the alarmed chirping coming from a bird on the edge of the drop-off, that leads down towards the stream. I started to hear some rustling of the leaves from down the hill, at which time, our conversation stopped and my partner froze. What sounded to be a deer managed to find its way up the hill ten yards from us, however, it was out of sight of both of us, as it came up from behind us. It wandered through the narrow wooded area, into the corn field, after a few minutes of not moving, my partner managed to get a glimpse at the small doe, which was obviously alerted of our presence. A few minutes passed and the deer wandered out of the corn field, using the trail on the northwest corner. After giving it a few minutes, my partner checked the time, and noted that it was 3:40. As it was unlikely that there would be much more activity, we decided to work our way up to the upper hay field. While walking through the woods that seperate the two fields, we noticed three large turkeys, upon further inspection, we found them to be toms. They were working their way slowly towards the other side of the field. We worked our way out of the woods to the edge of the field to get a better look. While we were watching those three, we spotted a couple of turkey working their way up the ravine in the middle of the field. The two or three turkey eventually turned into nearly 30. We stood watching in amazement as they worked their way to the opposite corner of the field. We had seen no more than five turkey at this location in years prior, so this many was a welcomed surprise. Once the last of them disappeared, we decided to call it a night, as the sun was nearly set.
Friday, November 23
We set out for the woods at approximately 2:30. The temperature was right about freezing. There was a light southerly wind under clear skies. After making a pass up the farm equipment trail for some preliminary scouting, we settled down at the east end of the recently cut corn field at approximately 3:00. The field is bordered by a nearly vertical drop on the south side, which slowly tapers out approximately 100 feet below, where it is bordered by a large stream. On the west side, the steep decline only lasts for approximately 50 feet, at which point there is a small area of hardwoods bordered by the stream, which takes a turn to the southwest. On the north side of the field there is a rock wall and small brush. On the other side of the wall is a hay field, which is split in half by the equipment trail. On the east side, where we were positioned, there is a mix of hardwoods and pines. A rock wall close to the edge of the field is hidden by brush. There was no action, aside from the flocks of doves eating the corn that was left behind in the field, until approximately 3:50, when a mature doe ventured into the southwest corner of the field, from the area near the stream. A few minutes later, a smaller doe emerged from the same area. After watching them for fifteen minutes or so, waiting to see if more were coming, we moved through the wooded area to the east of the field to the southwestern corner of the upper field to take a look. As the sun was beginning to set, and there was nothing to be found in that field, we made our way back to the entrance of the corn field, on the north side, where the does still were. We continued on down the equipment trail, until we spotted another lone doe, unfortunately, it spotted us as well. After checking us out for a few minutes, it slowly walked into the woods behind it, with its white tail signaling danger. Our plan was to get a better glimpse at the two doe in the corn field by approaching them from the north side, as it would give us a much closer view. Upon doing this, we came across two more doe, one of notable size, as we came over a small crest in the field. They ran off into the woods, following the first one. We continued on, now within 30 feet of the rock wall that bordered the corn field. Once we got to the corn field, we found the two doe, however, the dried leaves on the ground gave our location away, and they, too, found us. After watching them for a few minutes, we headed back to the truck. The trip was not a complete waste, however, as we were delighted to come across the corn field, which has always been hay field. We also came across a few recent scrapes, which we expected, given high doe population in the area. Unfortunately, it appeared as though the does may have been bred, as the buck still remained at large.
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