Whitetail Journal: October 3rd, 2026 A Move South

After a heart breaking miss on opening day we head back south to the Hill Farm to regroup.  We had moved a camera south about 500 yards to a transition area between two pieces of timber in hopes of catching Duece heading to a known bedding area.  After checking cameras we had pics of Duece early this morning heading back to bed and quickly put a plan together to hang a stand for the evening hunt. 

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We had been in this patch only twice prior but knew deer used this fairly heavily traveling between the two small wood lots.  There were several open scrapes and small rubs on a terrace that traveled along the hillside but avoided hunting this area as it is in close proximity and view of a gravel road.  I had always assumed deer would simply use this primarily at night but knew if we were going to get an opportunity at Duece tonight we would have to get in tight to his bedding.  

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We went in light and super quiet with just the ladder stand and a Hooyman pole saw already knowing the tree we would set up in.  20 mins later the stand is up, trimmed and we are sneaking back out to get dressed for the evening hunt.  On the way out we stumbled upon an old shed still untouched despite being there for what appeared to be a couple years.  Nice left side to a solid 10 pt but not certain what deer he was. 

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The evening didn't produce any shooters but deer were moving the entire sit.  Around 6 pm two small bucks would start the night by sparring below me for about 10 mins.  They would end up catching movement across the road as a small 2 1/2 yo buck made his way out of a standing corn field and travelled down the gravel before crossing into our piece.  Both sparring bucks would soon follow suit and make their way south as well.  As darkness approached, two doe's made there way down the ridge 40 yards behind my stand heading towards the corn just east of me.  Then as I was just exiting the stand a good looking 3 1/2 made his way on a trail just behind my stand and followed the two does to the standing corn. 

Although the evening sit never produced a sighting of Duece, we know he is close and anticipation is high.  Weather this week is supposed to be warm so we will wait for the next cold front to make a move on Duece again.  Hopefully give him more time to settle back in. 

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