The End!

The end of the Zone 1 Deer Hunt happened on Sunday, Nov. 12th 2006. As we remove the chairs and close up the stands, today I sit down and think about the hunt we just had. We only took 6 deer. Barry harvested a spike Buck with a big body and I, a good size Doe.

This hunt was not like any other hunts in the past. Because of the paper routes, some family members couldn't really find the opportunity to hunt. But next year will be different. Dad ended up getting very sick and had to miss hunting all together. He tested positive for Ehrlichiosis due to a tick bite. Not at all fun for him!

The weather was warm and deer movement was not great. Though I had 9 deer come by my stand on Sunday night the first weekend. The moon was full and that tends to make deer feed all night and bed down during the day. In past hunts we have observed that the deer generally moved early morning and late afternoon. This means that the hunters decide, that because they don't see anything in the morning...that would be a good time to go back to camp and wait for the afternoon hunt. Well, we found that the deer moved very well mid-day! Guess the deer know when it is safe to venture out :)

Also, we have been practicing deer management and have done so for the last 4 years. We usually pass up on some nice bucks and the fawns. The Does have to go. Barry took the spike this year because he really would not have passed on some good DNA to his offspring. For such a big body, he had poor antler growth. Though he will feed us well! We, also, found out that by taking Does and leaving the Bucks we will slowly decrease the huge deer population. Just think, less car/deer collisions. Management is a plus....as long as some of us follow that rule. No more "well, it looked bigger in the scope".....they always do!

We can't wait until next year.