I always keep track of my hunting activity during the deer season. I take notes on weather conditions and food sources, etc.
I hunt in Areas 2, 4 and 6, spending time on DMAP lands and other lands, including WMAs.
Last year, I hunted 21 days; I was in the low category as far as total days of deer hunting.
Most hunters were not happy at the close of the 2014 season. But for me it was a great year — I killed four deer on DMAP lands and three deer on other lands.
I killed two deer — a buck and doe — in Area 2. The buck was taken on Nov. 2 , and it was a 10-point that probably weighed close to 200 pounds. That’s a quality deer. Not a real trophy, but one that I was proud of.
I killed the doe in mid-December, and it had already been bred (breeding date was early November).
The key to my success in Area 2 was hunting the rut and hunting on days when deer movement was good (thanks to Mother Nature).
Another key was hunting the food source where the deer were feeding.
Our property in East Feliciana (Area 4) is only 25 acres, 5 percent of the territory for an adult buck with a fall/winter range of 500 acres.
But I killed an adult buck in early November (remember we have Area 2 genetics), when our deer were in the rut.
The trail cameras showed that it had been feeding on our property for a couple of days prior to the season opening; I had also found several fresh scrapes on the property, which indicated bucks were looking for does.
Even though I did not hunt many days, I experienced good success and was able to share venison with many friends.
The keys to success for 2015 are this: Hunt the rut, focus on good deer-movement days and hunt the food source on which deer are feeding.
Hopefully you will have a safe and productive deer season.
Above all, have fun, make some memories with your loved ones and share your harvest with those who have needs.
