Most Disappointing Opening Day in Years

[sleepyone]

just returned from my second hunting trip this year. Still no deer around and still way too many acorns on the ground and STILL falling. Last night they kept waking me up as they fell on the trailer. I'm hearing that from San Saba to North of Jacksboro deer are a no-show. Of course this weekend I had four things against me; warm temps, wind, full moon and the acorns. I have turned my timers down to 1 second twice a day just to have them going when the deer finally do start moving. We are not seeing many tracks on the cattle trails and dirt roads like we normally do. They really don't have any reason to stray far from their beds with a food supply all around. I went walking through the woods we normally have activity hoping to scare some out, but they are hunkered down to places I can't access easily. I'm not even hearing the usual rifle shots from the surrounding landowners, so I know it is not just us which makes me feel a little better.

Hope we get some moisture soon to rot those acorns; and a nice blue norther would be sweet.

 

[Legionnaire]

Not a good opener here in Central NY, either. Conditions were poor. Temps in the 40s, but very windy. Next to a full moon, too, which makes them more nocturnal. I was on stand from before sun up (heard three shots before legal shooting hours) until 2:00 pm before I saw a solitary antlerless deer; I'm guessing it was a button buck since it was traveling alone. Heard comparatively few shots throughout the day, even at dusk, when there is typically a flurry of shooting.

Did see lots of turkeys, chickadees, woodpeckers, squirrels ... and a cat. Had I had anything other than shotgun slugs with me, I'd have eradicated that cat, since feral cats are "not good." Anyway, back out again Monday and Tuesday, and hope springs eternal.