I really don't have a point to my post, other than I was just going over my hunt log for the year. Since December 28th my sons and I have made 12 hunts. I'm thankful to be able to have that time with them and share the outdoors with them. With that said, we have seen exactly 3 deer from the stand in those 12 hunts. We've hunted long gaslines, power lines, thinned pines, food plots, hardwoods, cutovers, you name it. There just aren't very many deer. I know many of you around the state can't wrap your mind around this phenomenon of going weeks without seeing deer, but it happens. I've talked to others that have had double digit hunters on stand over the weekend and they did not see a deer....all weekend.

Once again, just a rambling post as I sit here and ponder my own bad fortune of hunting. Surely someone can join me here.

By the way, y'all go ahead and add me to the list of those looking for a club.

Sorry about the hard luck. Out of curiosity, what part of the state are you hunting?

On our lease it has been the same way for us. My son and I have only seen deer while in stand once this year. We took a break this week and a hit an old faithful spot on public land and had a good hunt though.

Are you running cameras Brandon?

I know why our deer numbers are down.

Central Alabama




Yes sir. Not a whole lot showing up there either. Oh, and to add insult to injury, had one stolen this past week.

We have one real good buck that would go on the wall that showed up couple weeks ago. If it weren't for him, there's no way we would be subjecting ourselves to this misery.

You hunt private restricted access or public land?

You have them over corn?

If you had one stolen, you might have discovered some of the problem...unwanted guests.

I don't know if I should say our sightings have been down or not. They are definitely up from last year, which was only three deer, but are definitely way down from years past. Two years ago, I'd see as many deer in one sit as I have all season. Of course our timber was cut, then we have trespasser problems. Lots of things working against us.

Ive hunted as much as possible and today was the first time seeing deer. You are not alone.

Little history...

400 acres, private restricted access. We are basically the only ones hunting it. 2 other guys in with me but they've hunted about 5 times combined all year.

No 4-wheelers. Truck/Electric cart/foot only.

We have killed two bucks off of it this year. Last year we killed one buck and one doe.

We've seen a few more deer than last year but that plays in to exponentially more hunts this year than last.

One thing for sure...we can't blame it on warm weather, no acorns or poor food plots this year.

It's been really slow on my places in SE Madison county and NW Marshall county. I have seen 5 deer while on stand all season and they were all in the same sit, I did see 6 does and babies out in one of my hay fields yesterday evening. That's the first time I've seen any out there all season. I have had 3 pictures on 1 unicorn in the last 3 weeks on our farm here in Marshall county. This is the worst season I've had in 21 years as far as seeing deer goes. It's frustrating trying to get my 10 y/o daughter into it when we don't see any deer. I sure hope it improves in the next couple of years.

QDMA........
Quality Deer Mass Assassination

Years of biologist input .......
Kill more does. You guys got to kill more does.
Well, we did. Deer got bigger in weights and antlers....when you saw one. There's a happy medium somewhere, but I like to see deer when I hunt. About a decade of killing the crap out of does is catching up to both Mississippi and Alabama. Add to that the predation that uncontrollable coyote populations have on the fawns and you equal less deer to see.

Just my opinion.

5 hunts, no sightings. Have pics on cameras but have yet see one in person

[quote=Jstocks]QDMA........
Quality Deer Mass Assassination

Years of biologist input .......
Kill more does. You guys got to kill more does.
Well, we did. Deer got bigger in weights and antlers....when you saw one. There's a happy medium somewhere, but I like to see deer when I hunt. About a decade of killing the crap out of does is catching up to both Mississippi and Alabama. Add to that the predation that uncontrollable coyote populations have on the fawns and you equal less deer to see.

Just my opinion. [/quote You sir are spot on IMO

You're definitely not alone. I've been about 6-8 times and saw two deer. One spike and one small-racked buck. We just picked up this lease this year so I didn't know what to expect. It's about 70 acres of planted pines in Pickens county. The pines are pretty good size and have been thinned. Someone had previously hunted it, but didn't really make any improvements. We had some bush hogging done and put in four food plots. The irritating part is the place is slap covered with deer, they are just very nocturnal. I get tons of pics and there are always tracks everywhere, just don't see them. I hunted in Fayette county for years around big corn and soy bean fields and got spoiled. I got used to seeing deer all the time. These days, a few hours on Saturday morning is about all I get. Wait all week to go, don't see crap, repeat. I feel your pain.

Can your area be improved or is it worth it? If not move on.

Spreadin' a little tough love!

You are definitely not the only one. I would venture to say that there are more hunters seeing the same thing as you are then the other way around. I have watched many a die-hard Hunter around here just give up and start fishing during the winter if they didn't have the resources to go to greener pastures.

Lots of crappy areas to hunt in the state. It’s amazing how many areas have very few deer. My only advice is to find a better place. Easier said than done.