Field Journal

Follow the data, Hunt by Hunt of every time I’m in the Woods.

Sept 26, 2020 AM

Sit time: 6-10:00 am

Temp: 62 rising to 70

Barometric Pressure: 30.02in

Wind: ENE 0-3 mph

Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous 74%

Deer seen: 0

Notes: The things I will take away from this sit is there are some things you can’t control. Like the people blaring loud “butt rock”, ruining a nice morning. Also, tried a Lone Wolf Handclimber climbing tree stand. Could not have been a more uncomfortable and difficult stand to use. WILL NOT do that again by choice. But happy to get the season started

Sept 27, 2020 PM

Sit Time: 2-7:00pm

Temp: 81dropping to 76

Barometric Pressure: 29.86 rising

Wind: SSW 8mph-Calm (swirling)

Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous 83%

Deer Seen: 0

Notes: This evening is going to be an upcoming blog post. So lets just say the first couple sits of the 2020 have been a rodeo and rollercoaster. But There was a slight win today.

Sept 29, 2020 AM

Sit time: 5:45-10 am

Temp: 51 rising to 60

Barometric Pressure: 29.98in

Wind: SE calm-5mph

Moon Phase: waxing gibbous 95%

Deer Seen: 2

Notes: Swapped up spots to just get some deer under my belt. Hunting in a place dubbed, “The Honey Hole” because its got almost nothing but oak trees on it, and the acorns were raining today. Had another hunter walk by me at about 8am. Nice enough guy. Not long after came 2 big does. I thought about it but decided to not shoot the first deer I’ve seen this season. The does circled me and came back through a second time, both times they made it to within bow range. About an hour after the does meandered off, I heard crow going crazy. Looked that direction and a coyote was coming running in. I stood and got ready to shoot, and began to squeak to try and get him just a touch closer. He had obviously heard that trick before because he bolted when I started calling. I had to laugh. I don’t like having him kill our deer and turkey’s, but I respect an animal that learns.

Sept 29, 2020 PM

Sit time: 4-7:00pm

Temp: 65 dropping to 61

Barometric Pressure: 29.99in steady

Wind: WNW 9mph-calm (swirling)

Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous 95%

Deer Seen: 0

Notes: Pumped to have my first sit completed in a hunting saddle! I’ll go more in depth on that later. Honestly, You always want to get a buck, but today was more about getting experience with the saddle. Small hiccup on the way to the truck. I got turned around and ended up way away from where I should’ve been. More details on that later. I will probably leave this spot alone for the next several days.

Sept 30, 2020 PM

  • Sit Time: 4:30-7:00pm
  • Temp: 79 dropping to 75
  • Barometric Pressure: 29.94in
  • Wind: 10.5mph SW
  • Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous 97%
  • Deer Seen: 0

Notes: With the moon at basically full, its been tough out there the last couple days. I’ve seen deer at dark walking in, and deer at dark walking out. Add to the moon phase an upswing in temp, and daytime movement has really slowed. Almost stopped completely here. I was in a new area I’ve wanted to try, so I could very well have been in the wrong place. That happens to all of us often.

Oct 6, 2020 PM

  • Sit Time: 2:15-6:45 pm
  • Temp: 77 dropping to 70
  • Barometric Pressure: 30.10 rising
  • Wind: SW 7mph-calm
  • Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous 86%
  • Deer Seen: 5ish

Notes: After some days off to let the full moon pass and take care of wedding things, I jump back in to continue the early season. Setting on the back side of a the same thicket I have pictures of my target buck in. Had a group come through at 5:40 but stayed behind me. All does and yearlings. We shall try again in the morning.

Oct 7, 2020 AM

  • Sit time: Before light-11:30am
  • Temp: 50 warming to 70
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: SW calm to 5mph
  • Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous 78%
  • Deer Seen: 0

Notes: Big temp swing this morning. Back where I saw a large amount of deer on the front door of the main bedding area. There are acorns around in there, so some days you just get beat. Tried to stay later with the moon still large causing night and midday movement but the heat drove me out and I’m sure the deer as well.

Oct 7, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 4:30-6:40pm
  • Temp: 80 cooling to 75
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: SW 10mph-calm
  • Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous 78%
  • Deer Seen: 3

Notes: The Mosquitoes! Man they were rough for my first time into this area for the season. Doe, yearling and a spike came through right together but on different paths. The spike stayed around and fed right under me for at least an hour. 1 fresh rub found, no scrapes yet.

Oct 13, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 4pm-Dark
  • Temp: 71 dropping to 65
  • Barometric Pressure: 30.13
  • Wind: NNE 5mph-calm
  • Moon Phase: Waning Cresent 20%
  • Deer Seen: 5

Notes: Trying the saddle again, and trying a new spot. With a Northern wind I wanted to try this new section. Looked great but sat forever before the deer showed up. They came from the opposite way than I was expecting, but ended up right where I knew they would be. 2 young up and comers tempted me to tighten the string, but it was just too late for me to be really interested. Funnily had to throw pieces of bark at them to try and get them to leave calmly. I eventually spooked them, but it was good to see some bucks on their feet.

Oct 14, 2020 AM

  • Sit time: 6:30-10:30 AM
  • Temp: 48 warming to 66
  • Barometric Pressure: 29.34
  • Wind: SSE calm-6mph
  • Moon Phase: Waning Cresent 11%
  • Deer Seen: 1

Notes: Fog. The word of this hunt is Fog. Thick and dense. Stayed around forever, didn’t burn off until after 9am. Which is right around the time I did see the one straggler of a deer willing to be on its feet during such a morning. First morning I actually got a bit chilled. Feels good.

October 16, 2020 AM

  • Sit time: Daylight-11am
  • Temp:
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: NW Calm-5mph
  • Moon Phase: New Moon 1%
  • Deer Seen: 1

Notes: Raining acorns yet the only deer came in before shooting light. Could only make out that it was a deer, so no clue what it was. Watched 2 raccoons play around me for hours, so at least I had entertainment.

October 16, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 4-5:15pm
  • Temp:
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: NW
  • Moon Phase: New Moon
  • Deer Seen: 1

Notes: With plans for the evening I had to get out early but not before an amazing, up close encounter with a great up and comer on at eye level. I sat in a ground blind that I made years ago to just observe this open meadow. Its close to the road so I can sneak in and out quickly. I see deer cruise through fairly regularly but normally at a distance. This one cruised through right on top of me. The young 9 pointer had me thinking about reaching for my bow, but my head won the battle and I just filmed him watching me and working his way back into the thicket on the other side. Such a fun quick sit.

October 19, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 4-6:30pm
  • Temp: Hot
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: SW 10mph-calm
  • Moon Phase: waxing crescent 7%
  • Deer Seen: 0

Notes: So so so hot. Went into a spot that normally has scrapes in it, and sent up to hunt over it. The hunt is inconsequential, because the real story is the exit. I had a mishap on my tree steps and have pulled several muscles in my shoulder. I was able to gather myself and get back to the truck, and am fine other than being sore. This will change the complexion of my next couple weeks of hunting.

October 22, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 3:30-6:30pm
  • Temp:
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: SE 4mph-calm
  • Moon Phase: Waxing Cresent 34%
  • Deer Seen: 3

Notes: See Alabama blog post

October 23, 2020 PM

  • Sit time:3-6:30pm
  • Temp:
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: SE
  • Moon Phase: Half Moon 44%
  • Deer Seen: 6

Notes: See Alabama blog post

October 24, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 3:30-6:30
  • Temp:
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: NW 7mph-calm
  • Moon Phase: half moon 55%
  • Deer Seen: 4 (shots fired)

Notes: See Alabama blog post.

October 27, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 3:00pm-past dark
  • Temp: Warm
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: WSW 7mph-calm
  • Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous 82%
  • Deer Seen: 0

Notes: Way too hot for late October. So deer movement is minimal. However, buck sign is definitely picking up. I went to my cousin’s back 40 for this hunt, my first hunt climbing since my accident the week before. Just in case something went wrong he could come grab me quick. Lots of great sign, just too hot.

October 29, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 3:00pm-5:45
  • Temp:
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: W 15mph-30mph
  • Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous 94%
  • Deer Seen: 0

Notes: Super long shot, but with a few hour break in a 2 day rain storm I ran to give it a try. With super gusting winds, I had low expectations, but with the time of year and the rain break I gave it a shot. When the gusts started getting consistent over 20 mph, I decided to bail. The rain followed shortly there after. Discretion is the better part of valor. Or so I’ve been told.

October 30, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 3:30-6:30
  • Temp:
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: NE 6 mph-Calm
  • Moon Phase: Full 98%
  • Deer Seen: 1 (shots fired)

Notes: More to come about this, but to say I’m ecstatic is an understatement!

November 3, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 3-5:15pm
  • Temp:
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: SW 6mph-calm
  • Moon Phase: Waining Gibbous 95%
  • Deer Seen: 2

Notes: A scout/hunt on a somewhat new piece of public land was a mixed bag. Saw deer and saw buck sign, but also a lot of sign of pressure from hunters. I’m on the fence of giving it much more effort with that much hunter sign. Happy Election Day to all.

November 4, 2020 AM

  • Sit time: 6:05am-10:50am
  • Temp: 38 degrees warming to 65 degrees
  • Barometric Pressure: 29.7 in
  • Wind: SW Calm- 9mph
  • Moon Phase: Waining Gibbous 90%
  • Deer Seen: 5

Notes: Daylight savings time messed me up on my alarm and travel time, but mistakes happen just get in and go. I spooked a deer walking in, and was hurrying to get set in my tree. I couldn’t even get my jacket on when crashing erupted behind me. I’m sure I’ll write on this morning in more detail later, but the chasing has begun here in Middle TN.

November 5, 2020 AM

  • Sit time: Daylight-10:30
  • Temp:
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: South 3-5mph
  • Moon Phase: Waining Gibbous 83%
  • Deer Seen: 3

Notes: Some days you look at your maps to figure out your spot and accidentally look at it backwards. So my wind was blowing right where the bulk of the deer travel through. Spooked what I believe to be a doe and 2 little ones, but it was early. Try again. All you can do.

November 5, 2020 PM

  • Sit time: 2:30 pm 5:15pm
  • Temp: warm
  • Barometric Pressure:
  • Wind: S/SE 7-10mph
  • Moon Phase: Waining Gibbous 83%
  • Deer Seen: 1

Notes: Scout/Still hunted my way in to an area that I’ve left alone most of the year. The area I wanted to end up in is notoriously covered in big buck sign, but never big buck sightings while hunting. Finally slipped a camera in, and got what I believe to be the culprit. While this sit wasn’t productive, hopefully the next few will be.

November

November and early December were a blur. With the final days of wedding prep, and the wedding day and the chaos that insues on both sides, I admit to losing track of this journal. I will pick it back up!