Frustrating Year

It has been a frustrating year for deer season here in South Carolina. I cannot remember a year when I had not had an opportunity at a deer this late into the season.

I have been hunting this same land for years, and have identified transition areas, funnels, staging areas, etc, and yet, this year I have seen so few deer. My records indicate that I have seen only six (6) deer all season and last year I averaged almost that many each hunt! Granted the food sources is different this year. We have a bumper crop of acorns, as compared to previous years, so the deer do not need to travel as far in search for food, still the sightings are so far down it makes me wonder what in the world is going on!

My son has gotten a big doe, and a friend has gotten three doe, I have seen several small bucks, (spikes and one decent 6 point) but nothing else. THe trail cameras have shown some does and some small bucks, but nothing to brag about. I have moved into other areas, and seen some deer. But it is not like before. This is one of the most challenging years ever in my 20+ seasons.

I am not giving up, but it is frustrating that the sightings and harvest are so far down. Hopefully before our season ends on Jan. 1 I will at least gotten one, - the goal was four, but by now I am hoping for one.