Center Feature:

Lockdown

Text & Photography by R.G. Bernier

Just two days prior, deer activity had seemingly reached its zenith; bucks were running everywhere and were doing so in broad daylight. This is it, or so the expectant hunter thought. “I have timed this hunt perfectly and at any moment the buck of my dreams will present the shot I’ve 
rehearsed in my mind for months.” But no shot has come, in fact, neither has any opportunity even materialized. It has now been a week of religiously, and at times, painstakingly waiting for what seemed like a shoo-in for a successful hunt. With each successive unproductive day comes diminished enthusiasm and self-doubt. Questions begin to surface as to location and detection.

Did I select the wrong spot to set up? Have I compromised my position by overusing the area? Are the resident whitetails aware of my presence and systematically diverted their movement just out of my sight? Have the bucks gone nocturnal due to the perceived pressure of human activity? All legitimate questions that are often either falsely answered or misinterpreted by many a misguided hunter in a search to validate his reasoning. So, why is it that the woods have gone dead with relatively little deer movement at a time when it is supposed to be superb for hunting, or so the experts have told us it is?

To view more articles from the premier issue of Whitetails Only, pick up a copy of Outdoors Magazine today or Subscribe Now!