Opening Weekend Update

I was able to make it out three times over the past weekend.

1. Date - 10/01/10
2. Time - 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
3. Location - Emerson's, Olivet - Tree stand located on the edge of a cut wheat field.
4. Weather - Clear, Sunny, No Wind 
5. Temperature - 40 F
6. Wind Direction - NW
7. Number of Deer Sighted -  Bucks - 1 Does - 0
8. Age Structure - 1 1/2 yr old spike.  

Side Notes: While walking in, I scared off a deer that was right under my stand.  It sounded like a bigger deer and there was a fresh scrape about 20 yds away.  At least I didn't get skunked on opening day.  This property is 50 acres that is primarily field with only 5 acres of woods and some fence rows.

1. Date - 10/02/10
2. Time - 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
3. Location - Gordon's, Kalamazoo - Took the climber and sat at the end of the lane behind the horse pasture.
4. Weather - Overcast, Drizzle, Windy 10-15 mph
5. Temperature - 50 F
6. Wind Direction - N
7. Number of Deer Sighted -  Bucks - 0  Does - 2 
8. Age Structure - N/A

Side Notes:  Took the climber and sat at the edge of the lane behind the horse pasture.  Two does came by me at 15 yds.  Could have shot them both but I was strictly trophy hunting that day.  This property is approximately 20 acres, mainly all field and fence rows.  Urban deer hunting at its best!

1. Date - 10/03/10
2. Time - 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM
3. Location - Fitzner's, Bellevue - Sat in the stand next to the cow pasture in the the woods.
4. Weather - Sunny, Windy 
5. Temperature - 50 F
6. Wind Direction - NNW
7. Number of Deer Sighted -  Bucks - 0  Does - 0 
8. Age Structure - N/A

Side Notes:  I was skunked!  Didn't see a single deer.  It was quite windy and calmed down as the sun was setting.  Very surprised I didn't see anything since this is one of the best stands on the property.  This property is primarily woods with a five acre hay field.  A bean field is to the west on a neighboring property about 80 yards away.   

To say the least, it was a very slow weekend but I still had a lot of fun.  Keith, who also hunts on my neighbors property said he saw a total of two does in two different hunts.  My brother Phil was hunting up north and only saw a few little does.  Nathon and Dustin also said they did not see much either.  

I checked my trail cam again last night and there were no pictures of deer from my mock scrape location.  Deer movement is definitely on the low end, which is kind of strange for opening weekend of bow season with temperatures reaching the low 40's.  Lets hope for more action this coming week/weekend!