ladydiehard Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Theres a huge doe with two little ones and a spike buck trailing along that I have seen almost everyday that I've hunted. Shes big, shes smart and she knows where my stand is. She is routinely leading her little ones around me at a safe 50-75 yard range. She doesn't snort, stomp or flag. She just stops, looks, and moves on. And shes driving me crazy. Last night she stood broadside at 50 yards for several minutes before wandering off. This is out of my range by 20 yards. Theres just no way. So...I'm considering a ground blind close to the main spot where shes crossing to get to the cornfield. What think ye? Any other suggestions? Otherwise, theres an early doe only gun season coming up in two weeks and shes in big trouble at 50-75 yards then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe I agree with muz. If she wouldnt be weary of ground blinds then id set up in one but chances are she would be aware of it. We had an old doe the same way years back. I will bet you money that she died of old age. She busted me more times then any deer you could imagine. She would also lead others outside my effective range. I finally got the jump on her one day. I noticed she hugged a tree line across from me. I set up in some tall grass and waited for her to feed to me. I had the shot but couldnt bring myself to take it. I was honestly quite proud of that old girl. Beat her to the punch. Set up in another stand along her travel route, before she makes it to you. Chances are she is feeling real safe until she nears your stand. If you set up 30-40 yards inside of her travel route you will catch her off guard. I wouldnt hunt it all the time if you dont thump her. She will eventually figure out that youve moved into her travel route and she will change all together. Let us know how it turns out..... Jeramie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydiehard Posted October 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe The woods I hunt is logged and there are tops all over. Near the spot wheres shes crossing the most (she has used two other routes on occasion) theres a nice big tree top surrounded by tall grass. I had thought about simply using it for cover and wait till she passes me a bit for a nice quartering away shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe A smart ole girl will not like the ground blind. Its just my experiences since I have been there - done that. It worth a try but IMHO I would just wait on the doe gun season and wack her then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe Go to the extreme of a dummy in your stand, wait for the wind to be right, and whack her from the other side. While she's looking at the dummy would even be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kk9fan Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe I have the same problem in the area I hunt. There's an old Big Doe and she has two small ones and a button buck. She comes within bow range, but she is always leary of everything. My problem is when they are out feeding, no other Deer other than the Four I see ever come out with them. Is she keeping other Deer from coming into the area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydiehard Posted October 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe [ QUOTE ] I have the same problem in the area I hunt. There's an old Big Doe and she has two small ones and a button buck. She comes within bow range, but she is always leary of everything. My problem is when they are out feeding, no other Deer other than the Four I see ever come out with them. Is she keeping other Deer from coming into the area? [/ QUOTE ] Other deer have been coming into the area but when shes nearby they steer clear of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe [ QUOTE ] Theres a huge doe with two little ones and a spike buck trailing along that I have seen almost everyday that I've hunted. Shes big, shes smart and she knows where my stand is. She is routinely leading her little ones around me at a safe 50-75 yard range. She doesn't snort, stomp or flag. She just stops, looks, and moves on. And shes driving me crazy. Last night she stood broadside at 50 yards for several minutes before wandering off. This is out of my range by 20 yards. Theres just no way. So...I'm considering a ground blind close to the main spot where shes crossing to get to the cornfield. What think ye? Any other suggestions? Otherwise, theres an early doe only gun season coming up in two weeks and shes in big trouble at 50-75 yards then. [/ QUOTE ] I hate to laugh, but thats funny. I believe does are a lot smarter than big mature bucks. They are harder to hunt to. They catch us on the littlest movement. They are the first to arrive in fields and they check the wind more than a buck will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydiehard Posted October 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe [ QUOTE ] I hate to laugh, but thats funny. I believe does are a lot smarter than big mature bucks. They are harder to hunt to. They catch us on the littlest movement. They are the first to arrive in fields and they check the wind more than a buck will. [/ QUOTE ] Oh it is funny! And maddening at the same time. I have the gun hunters of my group all fired up because I've told them about this huge doe. They don't bowhunt so they are just waiting for a crack at her. Shes traveling inbetween two gun stands that will be occupied come early season. Less than two weeks away. Too bad neither of these stands are mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WEEGEE9 Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe sounds as though your hunting the same stand a lot. you may want to give it a rest for a week or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beagleboy Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe Just as hard killing on old girl as it is an old buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe I would use a climber to get closer.....it could work.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joebobhunter4 Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe sounds like a good idea to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maytom Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe [ QUOTE ] sounds as though your hunting the same stand a lot. you may want to give it a rest for a week or so. [/ QUOTE ] Great point!! Personally, now that the doe has learned where your set-up, I'd never hunt that spot again. If possible, move just 25-30 yards away, but try to get up into a treestand downwind from where you are seeing her come in from. Ground hunting can be very tuff to pull off at times. Hunting the wind and being up out of there sight will be most helpful!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe Been there done that...........It's the most challenging type of hunting that there is in my opinion. If you really want to get her............leave your bow at home and grab a 270. Otherwise.enjoy the challenge of trying to out-smart the smartest of all the whitetails........GRANDMA-DEER...........they'll drive you nuts. I've gotten them this way........... Move your stand to a different spot, hopefully where she is exiting the cover to enter the cornfield.........STAY DOWNWIND AT ALL TIMES........... Place a doe decoy in the field..........That Smart old gal will recognize that it's a fake right off the bat......... and circle around to avoid it.....staying downwind of it at all times......Which leads her right to you.......... if that don't work.........grab the 270......lol It's worked for me several times JJL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dg Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe I'd put up another stand. Then.............I'd let her walk. She'll be the one leading a nice buck before too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe if she;s that old and smart, she is going to be hard to kill without being at full alert...gun may be your best bet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe i had the same thing happen to me a few years ago. it got so bad with this doe that i had to move my stand.. i dont think the ground blind will fool here either. old does know there home range better than bucks .. and i believe you will get busted again.. i would try another treestand approach . you might try this. put a dummy of yourself in your stand. then set up another stand within bow range of where you can get a shot at her.. while she concentrates on your stand dummy you can put the smack down on her.. Shoot Strong Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydiehard Posted October 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe I changed stands. Moved 200 yards away to a completely different stand! And guess what? The old doe busted me AGAIN! Came up behind me about 60 yards away and looks up! Off she goes with the two little ones in tow! (Spikey wasn't with her this time.) I'm sure it was the same doe because she runs from a call and I called and off she went! Doe gun season is coming in just a week and a half! I may not be the one to get her but someone in my group will. Shes crossing primarily inbetween two gun stands (but not my stands) that will be occupied for the early WI T-Zone. For a shotgun, she'll be in range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Re: Outsmarting a Smart Ole Doe One of the most under-rated big-game animals in North America is the whitetail doe. She has just spent a good chunk of the past year towing around 1 or 2 dummy fawns that try to get her into every dangerous situation that they can, and she has learned real quick to expect danger from just about every direction. You also won't see her wandering around leaving her calling card (scrapes and rubs) everywhere she goes. She doesn't go through that stupid stage of rut where she is on her feet wandering all over the country-side with a single minded purpose that has absolutely nothing to do with self-preservation. I have always maintained that if does were as scarce as bucks, the bucks would be the easier prey by far. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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