The Trail Camera Journal

Ok, after viewing four days worth of photos from my trail cam, all dozen or so - my decision of where to hunt was made very easy and even though we didn't shoot anything, it was a great hunt. First the most interesting pictures over that time period were a small buck and raccoon sharing a late night snack and a single small buck. Nothing to get worked up about.

So, my 12 yr old son and I ventured across the farm to a spot we don't hunt as much. Just as we start walking down the buffer between the beans and the woods, there stands a doe with her eyes on us. &$#@##?!! - now what, don't move - - ok, we did that for 3 minutes or so. The doe walks towards us. I determined it was best to spook the doe and hope it doesn't screw up the rest of the hunt. We walk to the doe, and get about another 40 yrds. Pretty cool, but she does run into the woods, then we notice two more does a little farther back who do the same.

Nice, what a way to start. So, we continue on, working towards either a woods blind I have set or to sit along the woods edge. After seeing another doe sneaking along the wood line I take the woods edges as a gamble.

We find a great little spot, up on a little knoll, next to a maple tree. Now, I set my son down, get the shooting stick in place, then take position myself. About 5 minutes went by and what has to be the smallest fawn I have ever seen steps out to feed in the buffer. Shes about 40 yrds up. I didn't have to tell my son not to shoot, -- but did anyway. Now we wait for mom.

But, big daddy comes trotting through the beans. Very nice buck, that I was not expecting, a buck I have not seen at all even on camera. Kinda a basket rack - 8 to 9 pts with some mass. A shooter - except in MD right now for muzzleloader season its doe only. Yes, my luck strikes again. The buck comes from about 150 yrds up to 50 yrds near the doe. Looks and sniffs around a bit then into the woods, but not before we express our feelings about the doe only season. My son could have nailed that buck - however. So, the wait for mom continues.

Mom, still does not show, but brother does. Yes again - taking the same path as the older deer, this spike buck walks from about 150 yrds , cuts in and goes directly to the same spot about 50 yrds out. Another clear shot. I forgot to mention that I put a little attractant out just prior to setting in the woods. It's a local home made powder of apples, and magic dust I think, but --------- the spike takes a liking to the stuff. This spike during about a 20 minute span - walks up to about 10 yrds in front of us. Tenderloins for sure if it were last Saturday. I decided to spook the deer, thinking spooking it at 10 yrds was better than 5. He blew, tail up and jogged into the woods, it was then we saw the does waiting to come out - their tails that is.

The only other thing we saw was a fox. But, we both agreed with the lack of deer we have been seeing on the other side and the lack of pictures ( which is really unusual ) - we had a fantastic evening. I only wish I had my video camera with me.

So - using the trail cam plus the past couple days experience, I ended up with a great hunting experience with my son. I would have probably hunted the other spot had the camera shown deer at dusk or more activity.

Finally a good day hunting, so now to return and get some meat for the freezer.