Deer Camp Dispatch: Kind of quiet in Botetourt
This is my annual hunt camp week in Botetourt with some buddies at their cabin.
They got started Saturday, but I was in Warrenton covering the state cross country meet. They didn’t see much so I didn’t miss much. A couple years ago two of the guys killed really nice bucks when I was up there, and that hurt.
I had some work today so decided to hunt for a couple hours in Bedford County. It was OK. I saw a load of turkeys and three deer: a spike, a seven-pointer and a doe. All were alone and there was no sign of chasing or running.
After knocking out those work tasks I headed up to Botetourt. When I pulled up I saw a couple buddies with two deer in their truck. One had killed a doe, the other a nice 10-pointer. The buck was actually a mainframe 8 pointer with two stickers. Definitely a shooter.
I didn’t get to my stand until about 3:30 p.m. and it was slow. I saw three deer, all does, and that was when I was climbing into the stand.
We had mixed results up here today. One guy didn’t see a deer. He also didn’t see anything on Saturday. Another guy saw one deer and a possum. Who sees a possum while deer hunting?
Steaks for dinner tonight. Hunt camp tradition.
I’m holding out hope that once this front passes things will get good. We’ll see…
November 12, 2012 - 7:13 PM
I had a slow day today too Mark….. hunted National Forest/Botetourt county….. Wind was gusty in the mountains and kept changing directions. I had a doe come down the trail at 9:15 AM and catch my scent….. another deer behind her bolted but couldn’t identify that one…… probably the BUCK of a LIFETIME!!!!! I stayed till dark but Didn’t see another deer all day. However I did catch a glimpse of another animal but could’nt tell what it was in the thick laurel…. based on size I’m thinking either a Bobcat or coyote.
I hunted Bedford today as well. Was able to tag a nice doe. She had 2 small ones with her. They all milled around for a while which was nice since i was hoping a buck would show up, it didnt and light was fading so the big one got it. Headed to Botetourt tomorrow hoping for some good activity. Good luck on your hunts this week Mark.
Did you take I-81N to I-66E to Warrington and return same? If so, did you count all the dead deer along the road? 100 maybe? Some had their heads removed but most 90% were doe. The movement is most likely at night now on new moon. Be good again by weekend or first of next week.
I saw one immature doe Saturday, and heard a chorus of coyote’s nearby that makes me think there is a den, could be a reason…