Arrgghh!!!!

[RenegadeRN]

Would someone venture to guess why oh why I saw deer for a week or two during the season, even got a smallish one in the freezer and then NOTTA...not a peep, not a movement, not a hide nor hair? And even members of the forum stated after few weeks things went south for them....but almost two weeks after the season closes I drive by this nice OPEN 20 acre field, around the corner from my house, in the middle of the BRIGHT, sunlit day is standing a LARGE sized antlered deer and a rather large antlerless deer? They look up as I drive by and went back to feeding. ( I used to see this on base when I hunted it. Might go weeks and not see a darned thing, but two days after season they would be lined up along Hwy 24 from the front gate halfway to Swansboro like people waiting on a NY bus. LOL!) Then driving further down the road it dawned on me I not seen one Canada goose in flight all fall..WHILE IT WAS hunting season? Oh, but NOW the season is OVER I drive by two rather nice acre ponds in the area and there are Canada geese out the yingey? ARGGH!! Guess that's how my hunting goes....

And another thing....ever notice you can walk in the woods day after day and find a soda can here or beer can there? How did they get there? I was always told that contrary to popular belief deer do not drink beer...but makes you wonder if they aren't just partying like animals! ARGGH!

And we think WE are the smart ones? ROFLBO!!!

[manxxcatt]

Funny you mention this. I saw what could easily have been a County record buck last night on Lyman Road, I slowed to look, and he looked at me like I was nuts and went on feeding.

[dixieguns]

I have seen deer almost every day for most of the fall. I can actually show you where around my house you better slow down at after dark. It is always the same deer in the same spots at the same times. However they are almost always smallish does and yearlings. I have yet to see a large buck since rut. That being said I do live on land that borders the Cliffs of the Neuse State park. I can walk around on our property and find trails that look like dirt bike paths that the deer use to go in and out of the park. They have definitely figured out where the safe area is. The thing about the beer cans is funny because I have found the same thing in some rather odd places. I found a Corona bottle last year about a mile back in the woods away from anything. The only thing I could assume was that it was left by someone that ventured off of one the trails in the park, but I was a long way from the park. Either that or it was dropped from an airplane. The other thing that sucks about hunting next to the park is that the occasional hiker will get lost and come out at the most inconvenient times, such as when I am in my stand. I have actually been in my climbing stand before and heard what I thought was a deer coming through the woods. Turns out it was some lost hikers that never even saw me. They came so close I could have spit on them. I never said anything to them because they were on one of our paths that led back to the road. They wouldn't have wanted to hear what I had to say anyway. I just don't understand how these people can get lost in the State Park. The only way that the trails could be marked any clearer were if they spraypainted the ground bright yellow where you are supposed to walk. I have hiked the trails since I was old enough to ride my bike to the main entrance and never even came close to getting lost. I grew up hunting this area and I have always been extra vigilant about positively identifying my target. I guess that is why I just don't understand how people get "accidentally" shot during hunting season. I know I ventured way off topic but that was just a few thing I have been wanting to say.

[JollyMon]

Some how or other when hunting up around the wildlife refuge at Matamasquite (sp) when the afternoon siren went off the geese that were flying a mile high would land on top of you and you could walk through the flocks I think they get copies of the game laws. Last Sept there was a field near my house on the east side of 17 by about 100 yards that had to have 300 geese feeding in it 3 fields with fresh cut corn acroos the hiway had not the first goose walking on them. It was unbelievable .

[sbkittrell]

They know when hunting season is over that's for sure. I don't know how they know it, but maybe is the lack of rifle fire, 6th sense, or something else. They also know where it's safe. I've seen deer just stand and look at me thirty yards away in Goose Creek State Park, right in the middle of hunting season. They are NOT dumb animals.

[manxxcatt]

Last night on the way down Lyman Road on Camp Lejeune, I slowed down and stopped not 20 feet from a huge doe. She didn't even bother with me. Just went on feeding. If I had a rock, I could've beaned her between the eyes.

[Decoy]

Deer are indeed some of the wisest creatures on earth. They learn very quickly. What you see is a learned behavior that has been taught by one of the dumbest creatures in the woods...Man!