All Done Deer Hunting For This Permit

This is my 14 or 15th year hunting FL. FL hunting never treated me well, until this year.

Permit allows 2 deer, 2 bucks or buck & doe.

Shot a small buck at 0730 on Friday (first shot opportunity - no pics). Missed a bigger one at 945.
Should have passed the smaller one, and should have waited for the larger one to come past me before shooting... maybe next time. Just not used to seeing ANY deer while hunting FL. Never mind 2 in the same day. First public land buck in FL! Yay!

Saturday hunt buddy shot a big doe at 0930. We were set 10 yards apart and two young bucks ran a big doe in - I had told him he could shoot a doe, so he did. I was asleep (Carried deer out day before on my back, strapped to treestand - still tired). Heard twang and opened eyes - saw arrow exit deer's side - watched 2 run off and heard the death thrash.

About 30-40 minutes later, another deer about 25 yards behind us eating acorns - it saw buddy in stand and spooked. Decided to get to work getting that deer out of there.

All done for that permit. And I still want to go hunt some more. Very pleased with how it all worked out.

Looks like we were in the "right spot for the time" and also had an active oak dropping nuts to help bring them thru.

Now I have to wait until the end of November. Skipping some fishing to scout deer paid off...

 

Thanks, Mak. I'm almost legally deaf. I've been deer hunting for about 40 years but primarily in areas with low deer counts (VT, NH, ME), have 14 seasons in FL, 8 or so in GA. Shot 6 branch antlered bucks and maybe 50-60 antlerless. Most deer in GA - it is amazing how many deer there are in some areas of GA & SC. I've shot a couple 3.5 yr olds but nothing bigger.

That little buck back behind us yesterday - he was 25 yards away tearing up the forest floor, throwing leave sand sticks as he ate acorns and I just couldn't hear him. 76-yr-old hunting partner got my attention and pointed. I always wonder what's walking behind me but sitting in a tree with my head on a swivel spooks a lot of game too - I just try to be still and enjoy the hunt.

These swamps down here will eat you alive and then twist your ankle just for fun.

This year found some sign where buddy had been before - decided to try and replicate that area somewhere else. Pushed myself to find more and more. Follow the trails and tracks, and to follow edges. It worked. Trail cams help tell me how busy the spots were.

It also worked that no-one else was hunting this area, so the deer weren't bothered before they got to us. The other guys seemed to be hunting easier places, closer to their cars - or in the case of the guy with the electric bike - very far places no-one else could even hope to reach.

Also choosing the correct access route - same one you said. Thru the open area. Stand was 15 yards into the woods and IF I didn't shoot anything, the deer do not go that close to the edge at this spot. It's a good spot - might be a good future spot as well. Next I want to find a creek crossing spot - never hunted one of those.


I'll be looking forward to some of your pictures from GA. Should be a few good ones waiting for you.

 

Thanks, guys! This is a first for me - first getting on deer in FL. Will try to see if I can do a repeat in December - will bring camera on that hunt.

 

It is a keeper - I did bring a neoprene seat cushion. Helped. There isn't a lot of room - I'm about 270# and it wasn't the most comfortable stand.

It is light, quiet, easy to use, did fall asleep in it and carried a deer out on it - so can't complain.

Might be headed to GA this weekend - will bring it if I go.

 

I'd rather hunt with a crossbow than a compound or traditional bow.

Do understand the mentality of some folks. The WMA I was hunting had some real nice folks and others who wanted to be left alone. No in-your-face jerks like I've encountered in other areas. Funny how some folks act.

One thing I believe hurts a lot of these guys is that they want to park as close as possible to the hunt area. I'd rather walk a mile each way - just to get in the right frame of mind for the hunt.

 

When I was in GA 2 weeks ago, I inadvertently closed the battery compartment on 1 of my hearing aids (which I take out when I get on stand so as to not get frustrated over clothing rustling). An "on" hearing aid makes a shrill squeal. Normal folks can hear it but not me. Anyway - the deer would come to about 100 yards and stop & stare, then circle coming out 100 yards on the opposite side, and go where they were going. I knew something was wrong and started by checking the wind, sitting stiller, and finally looking for my hearing aids - found the one that was on and turning it off. Later I had 3 deer within 20 yards. Bingo! LOL!

My preference for the xbow is that I don't have to move around and make noises - spooking the deer. It gets frustrating. Almost as bad as the guys who want instant gratification - or if you beat me to the spot I'm gonna ruin it for both of us mentalities...

It is great when it all comes together. Making the hunt enjoyable without sightings or kills is a talent few guys have. Those are the moments we really live and know peace.

 

It is unnerving when they get close enough you can see their eyelashes. The bow deer I got was less than 10 yards, more down than out. Freaky close.

Will look forward to some of your hunt stories.

 

I get the drum beat going too - amazing how the heart just starts Thump! Thump! Thump! ...