The kind of deer you wish you could see

by Jan 21, 2016Hunting in Maine, Whitetail Deer

The kind of deer you wish you could see

There was running water on almost every trail but sometimes, you just have to get on the snowmobile and ride.

Last weekend Dad, Hubby and I decided to ride around and see if we could find our deer.  I secretly wished to find a shed but that didn’t happen.

An eagle flew from a tall spruce tree as we crossed a field and headed into the woods.  There were wet spots, muddy spots and running streams but we pushed on.  The amount of deer tracks were incredible.  Crossing the snowmobile trails, gathered around ground hemlock… our herd was having an easy winter with lots of food available with no real effort needed to find it.

We headed down a side snowmobile trail that runs parallel to the trail that we take to get to T3. I almost ran into Dad’s sled when he came to a stop at the bottom of the hill.  He got off of the snowmobile and walked over to the cluster of trees.  What I wouldnt give to have seen this deer during hunting season!

Swamp deer rub
Another view of the deer rub

We were in a swampy area but I wondered if it might have been the 8 or 9 pointer that we had on the trail cameras.  T3 wasn’t too far away if you walked straight through the woods.  I snapped a few pictures and we continued down the trails.

Looping back onto the main trail, Dad stopped again.  This one was even bigger.  These two tree are within two feet of one another.  There was either an incredibly frustrated rutted up buck hanging out in the swamp or a moose! I could not wrap my hands around the tree and have my fingers touch.

Huge deer rub.  
Huge rub

There was only one big buck taken out of this area last fall that I know of and that was the 9 pointer. Given the distance from the Sky Condo to these rubs, it is pretty safe to say that there are a few more big bucks hiding out.

The plan now is to change things up, get Hubby ready for archery season and get Dad all set for muzzleloading season.  If we can be in the woods from October 1 until December 12 then hopefully we can cross paths with at least one of these huge bucks!

2 Comments

  1. Those are awesome rubs. I really don't see a lot of big rubs last fall but we still had a good season. Everyone except me I should add. Lol!!

    • I couldnt believe it. I saw a few during the end of the season but none that big. There are some big swamp bucks lurking around.

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Meet The Author

Erin Merrill, author of And a Strong Cup of Coffee, is president of Women of the Maine Outdoors, a senior writer for Drury Outdoors, a contributor to the Northwoods Sporting Journal and passionate all things Maine, Hunting, and the Outdoors.

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