What's the secret? This is my 9th hunt since archery season, hunting gun since gin started. Hunted 8 times at the family ranch. 100 acres, have hunted sone mornings, some afternoons, and a few all dayers. Setup the trail cam exactly one year ago and only got deer on it in august. 3 bucks, 2 8 pointers and a 6poibter that showed up for 3 days consistently at the feeder. Hogs are nocturnal. Never showing themselves on the daylight. I started hunting the ranch exactly 1 year ago as well and have only taken 1 turkey which was on opening weekend. Haven't seen any deer, which is what I'm after. What keep y'all motivated after striking out on deer for so long?!?!?

wow, I'd relook your setup. does wind mess you up?

to keep yourself motivated you must think....if I weren't in the woods, what kind of work could I get done.

Yea I always go by the "you never know unless your out there" line. I wouldn't say I do anything wrong. I park at the beginning of the ranch and walk all the way down. I spray myself with scent killer, I have 2 feeders at my blind, each facing the opposite location. I'm thinking it's the area that I hunt in. No close water supply. I mean, is the fact that the neighbor ranches don't feed year round a good thing if I do?

I always bring my ipod touch with me, so if i get too bored I will play games on it or pop in the earphones and listen to music. I pull all day hunts sometimes too, i know how bad it can get lol.

Without seeing your land and the area, it's gonna be a little hard to give you a definitive answer. Are there any "natural" attactants to your area such as acorns, wild plums, persimmons, and other wild fruits and natural covers? If there are no neghboring crops, you might consider a large food plot.

But the best recommendation is to get with your local Ag Agent or if there is a TPWD biologist for your area. Get their suggestions on what can be done in your area to help draw the deer in.

Sounds good jdickey. As far as I know, nobody around has food plots, there are no trees for acorns or any other fruit. Just feeders. I'm just north of freer, tx.

Sleeping in the blind is the surest way to have deer around your feeder.

The deer where I hunt are nocturnal until this time of year. Thanksgiving usually marks our rut and from that point forward the hunting gets better with a lot more daylight activity. I think it is a direct result of the cold weather and wintertime lack of available groceries in the pastures. I have learned to make myself wait till this time of year to start hunting hard so I don't get burned out. Not much you can do when you're bow hunting that won't get you busted unless you're hunting out of a box blind of some sort.

Lot's of high fence in that area...maybe part of the problem by restricting deer movement. Check with the Ag Agent for probable crops to plant for a food plot in that area. Rye and oats are the easiest, but with the low amount of rain for the past few weeks, the agent may suggest something more tolerant to dry weather.

Tecomate has a good blend for that area, but it is expensive. You need seeds to bring in turkey, so look at chufa or Egyptian wheat as possible seed crops.

It can take months before deer start associating your place as a source of food. But that will give you something to do.....!

Question: Are you hunting in downtown Houston?

Seriously, that sucks. Maybe there just aren't many deer in your area? That seems pretty bad.

Sounds like no water supply will equal no deer. Unless you have some water then don't expect much. I guess you hunt it b/c it is free?

My mantra... "Man I love bein out here!"

Then I find "something" to watch, birds, coons, even yellow jackets or lady bugs in the blind.

In your situation I'd get out and walk and look for sign, 100 ac isn't much you should be able to learn every inch of it.

Ok you asked how to keep motovated and I answered that, then people started telling how to maybe seen more deer... here's my answer to that.
Feed a little year round and bury some salt to make a salt lick.

If you think water might help and you can haul water, get one of those big square containers like everybody is using and set it to drip very slowly.

I know your pain well. Keeping motivated is hard. The best advice I can tell you is to change thing up. get out of the blind, walk around, climb a tree or sit at the base of one. If you aren't seeing deer, screw them. Hunt squirrel, ducks, rabbits etc for a while until the deer come. Just stay out doors and have fun. Do not let your mind start drifting towards "what a waste of time, I could be with my wife/kids or fixing that barn door or changing my oil instead of this crap".

You'll prolly start to see more deer when the rut picks up down there in 2-3 weeks. And with all the rain during the summer, deer can eat things other than corn.

i get up and walk around....

When I am bored I either turn to my I Phone or read for a bit. Then I am ready to be attentive again. It really sucks you are having such tough luck. I hope it gets better

I feel your pain. I hunted the day after thanksgiving and o sat in te blind for 9hrs. I saw one rabbit 2 squirrels an owl and a hawk. Just remember you could be at work!!!

yes i hunt for free. we do feed year round, i think were the only ranch around that feeds yearly. there are plenty signs that deer are around, but i guess in this area, its more the fact that they "pass through" instead of bedding somewhere near. there are tracks, poop, heck, a cousin even took out an 8pointer this past saturday. but nothing consistent. actually, i hunted this morning and shot 1 turkey at the end of the hunt.

Like any animal the deer have to have food, water and sherlter. If you've got typical s.tx. brush then the food and shelter are covered.

With the temps usually warmer in S.Tx. the deer are going to need water. On my last trip to my lease near Hebbronville one afternoon got to 92*F. I had 4 seperate bucks come to a water trough near my stand in less than one hour.

When the rut picks up and the bucks are running does they have got to have water daily.

First thing I'd do is get some water in there ASAP.

I hate to say it but I hit a dry spell yrs ago the hogs were dominating the area so my intrest in deer disappeared.

I feel your pain! I've spent 11 sessions in the stand and have seen nothing but squirrels and a couple of snakes! My motivation is that if I'm not out there, I can't get anything.

There have been many times where I have hunted all day with little to no activity and then just before dark I end up shooting a nice buck. I always remind myself that if I am in a decent area and I am putting forth effort, I might see an animal at any time. For the most part this is true. Another mistake a guy can make when discouraged is letting your guard down.

Killer will you ever have an interest in deer again?... that makes me sad, but I guess it has allowed you to take your hog killin to an entirely different level.