hunting strategy

[bgkyarcher]

How many of you have spent much time hunting thin(50-80 yards) creek bottoms that are bordered by open fields? Just curious as to your results. I concentrated hard this year, and last on one such bottom. It is such a great looking travel corridor, with multiple creek crossings, and a "protected route" from a to b or c.... I spent no less than 80 hours looking at said bottom this year, and about the same last year. I've eaten my buck tag both years. Wondering if maybe I've fallen in love with the looks of something that isn't what it actually is.

 

[rockhousehunter]

Here in Eastern Ky. I've never had much luck hunting low. I always prefer to hunt high, not on the ridge necessarily but the first flat over from the top. I do try to go low on really windy days but that's about it. If you've spent 160 hours in that creek bottom then the big ones are definitely not using it in the daylight for travel.

 

[Little FR]

I hunt the creek bottoms early season. Then get up on a saddle towards rut. Hard to smell every doe for 3 hollars from a hole.

Tomorrow I’m going to hunt a creek area but it is a direct travel route from three bedding areas. All the deer have to pass through it if they want any cover to and from.

 

[baknblack]

How many fields can you see from where you hunt? If you have permission to use said fields put up some kind of blind where you can watch the edges. 2 years with no luck it's what I'd try.

 

[bgkyarcher]

How many fields can you see from where you hunt? If you have permission to use said fields put up some kind of blind where you can watch the edges. 2 years with no luck it's what I'd try.

I've got a shooting house on the field behind me, lol. No ridges. I saw a bunch of deer the last two years, but no shooters.

 

[bgkyarcher]

Here in Eastern Ky. I've never had much luck hunting low. I always prefer to hunt high, not on the ridge necessarily but the first flat over from the top. I do try to go low on really windy days but that's about it. If you've spent 160 hours in that creek bottom then the big ones are definitely not using it in the daylight for travel.

Hunting low there, and here are quite different, lol.

 

[Redlined]

I used to hunt an area as you described and it was lightning in a bottle as far as big deer sightings. I arrowed a 150" deer from that tree with countless other good deer in bow range over the years. Obviously not all are the same and if you've hunted that much and it hasn't paid off it sounds like for whatever reason they aren't funneling through there. Maybe let a camera fish the area for you to see if anything changes while you try some different areas.

 

[120+]

I would give advice but coming from someone who has eaten a buck tag for two years I don't think you should listen. I believe my night time buck pictures have given me false hope.

 

[PUBLIC RAT]

I would try moving several cameras around and try to pickup a pattern your missing.

 

[bowhunter269]

Are there known "shooters" in the area? If so, do you have cameras in the area? Maybe they are using it at night (if there). Sounds like a perfect setup to me, but the results don't agree.

 

[Feedman]

Take a 6 pack of Mich Ultras with you on each set.
If you don't see anything bucks at least you've had a few beers an relaxed

 

[Tankt]

Take a 6 pack of Mich Ultras with you on each set.



If you don't see anything bucks at least you've had a few beers an relaxed
As if he needed that suggestion

 

[bgkyarcher]

Are there known "shooters" in the area? If so, do you have cameras in the area? Maybe they are using it at night (if there). Sounds like a perfect setup to me, but the results don't agree.

In any given year, I have 2-3 shooters. It is what it is.

 

[120+]

Take a 6 pack of Mich Ultras with you on each set.
If you don't see anything bucks at least you've had a few beers an relaxed

I think he already does that. Could be why he can't see deer.

 

[bgkyarcher]

I think he already does that. Could be why he can't see deer.

I took a beer twice this year. Deer and Turkey hunting, I take seriously