The way it was explained is technically one is not supposed to. Off the record was don't ask don't tell. They want them killed.

I have seen Bobcats as well, they just aren't "officially" documented. I was told that if someone gets pictures and stuff like that, they will create a permit for them.

Saying there are no deer there isn't true either. You just have to keep trying and be persistent. This is my first season deer hunting ever, but I have been going as much as possible. So far I've seen 4 doe and 1 6pt buck on Wheeler, I just haven't had the chance at a shot yet. Just keep trying, and don't get too annoyed if you see other people....just go deeper into the refuge...

Clemons, actually. And yes I'm related to all of the Clemons folks from Arab.

I'm ok with the folks that actually have a clue as to what they are doing while stalking. It's the folks that think they know what they are doing that are frustrating. We have remedied that this year by doing a lot of extra travalling into the woods, and its paying off.

I've been out on Wheeler bout 10 times this season and have taken 1 doe and 1 buck. Haven't seen anything else but squirrels. Wheeler just takes scouting and some time to get the right area.

So then, In your opinion what are some areas to look for out there. Near the swamps? Fields..etc. I have been around blackwell and seen sign near the water but no deer yet

You boys better get them before I get there. I'm coming from northern newyork for Christmas and I'm gonna knock down a good one. Didn't get to hunt at all last year due to being deployed. Already taken a bear and buck and doe up here but seasons closed now I hate NewYork!! Good luck to all !!

Not to hijack....but when is the rut usually on wheeler? North and South of the river?

I was wondering the same thing.

In the past week they have begun making scraps, I have seen several new ones pop up. Usually late December early January for the north side.

The deer on the refuge are very smart due to all the pressure ... I've hunt refuge for 20 years and I promise you to climb high seat still and be quit is the best thing to do ..! No cover scent or doe pee ! A doe in heat can will run every doe and buck off for miles most of the time ...
I once was climb on flint creak bank and was watching a nice buck work down the bank to me . Some fishermen pulled up to a tree top to fish 10 yards of the buck . He watch them pull up and just laid down right there by them . They fished for 30 or 40 minutes and pulled off then the buck stood up and turn went a way from bank ..

No cover scent??? Really??? I don't think I would take that advice.

I agree with grasshopper I don't use any of that stuff. Had negative results as well. All that scent crap is a waste of money it's been proven over and over but to each his own.

Now I'm not talking about urine or any of that crazy smelling stuff. Not attractants. Just simple cover scent, baking soda, that sort of stuff. You don't even spray your feet before you walk in?

No usually I usually only hunt a spot a time or 2 a season and that's it. No reason to do all that if your not returning again and again. That way the deer can't pattern you.

Using that logic, then wind would never be a factor.

Deer can smell 6 different scents at one time .... So when he gets down wind of you he smells your coffee you had on the way to your favorite spot the cover scent you put on and 4 other scents ... Cover scents only fool us humans .. We can only smell the strongest scent ...

Wind is the only factor period. It's so simple yet people don't use it. Whitetails live and die by there noses especially a mature buck on wheeler. If not they never live to be mature. But... You gotta let the deer think they have the upper hand try to hunt crosswind. Hardly ever will you see a mature one wind at his back unless he's using his eyes such as in a field or open area.

Now scent killers I firmly believe in ..

I use to use it all but look at it this way your always breathing right? Well you can't cover that if a mature buck gets downwind of you I believe he's gonna smell you 100 percent of the time. The only exception is if thermals are rising and your scent is going over him. Otherwise there's no amount of anything that's gonna cover your scent period.

I agree with hunting crosswinds. And I believe we got our wording mixed up a little bit. I was referring to using scent neutralizers/killers I guess. I thought you were saying that it doesn't matter what you smell like going into the woods. I'm still pretty new at this, but crosswinds make perfect logical sense. If you can catch that sucker moving upwind with the wind up his nose with your wind blowing parallel to his, then you've you've got it made.