Live From the Cutover - The Third Annual Poor-Boys-Public-Land-Hunt-Club New Year's Day Deer Drive

[np307]

Well it's that time again. New Year's Day is the last day of deer season here in NC. A friend and I started doing a deer drive on game lands 2 years ago and this year we are continuing the tradition. We have 2 new additions this year and one dropout from last year with some last minute family stuff, so our number is up to 5 this time.

The section we are planning to hunt this year was logged over the summer, they actually finished up at the end of September, so it's a very fresh cut. I'll be very interested to see how this translates to the hunt. I hunted this section once during bow season and had a fawn come by, but that was in the far corner that didn't get logged. I have a feeling the deer will be using it though.

Right now though, I'm making coffee and grabbing a protein bar to get to the gate in time to warn any other hunters of our impending drive. We're planning to start about 0800 so I want to be able to switch locations if there's too many other people where we want to go. It rained hard last night but today should be clear and a nice 50 degree day. Perfect weather to not sweat to death while pushing and to not freeze while standing. We'll see what the day holds in store, I'll try to keep the pictures coming as we go along.

 

[np307]

Update 1 from the gate.

I made it in time to catch a couple other guys who were about to walk in. I talked to them for a little bit and we won't be in each other's way, so the spot I wanted to hunt, we will get to hunt. This is a tract with some good memories, I killed the biggest buck of my life here back a few years ago. I'm excited to see the next couple years as the cutover thickens up, should turn into some great hunting. It'll be a little strange to watch the sunrise from my car, but our 0800 start time at least gives the other guys an hour or so of prime time before we walk in. I made a full thermos to keep me occupied while I sit here.

 

[F250]

Subaru ?!?!?!

 

[np307]

Subaru ?!?!?!

Heck yeah. My old hunting rig was a Camry.

 

[F250]

Good luck today and Happy New Year !

 

[np307]

First push was uneventful. Starting the second now.

 

[np307]

2 deer followed the creek on the second push but never broke out to where a shot was. No deer jumped on the third push, one big rabbit though. We looped around and have the creek lined again, pushing from the top side hoping to move the same deer back through. Beautiful morning.

 

[np307]

No more deer seen, gonna go to one more section and try a couple pushes then we will call it a day.

 

[Gellar]

Good luck! I’m following this one!

Fresh log cuts can be tough. I’ve seen deer burrow under the tops to where you wouldn’t think a rabbit could get under there. You almost have to stand/jump/stop on every top that is out there.

 

[np307]

Well, we've called it a day. Found some really good sign and the last 2 drives I was really expecting to see one slipping through. Never did though. Always a fun time though and I look forward to hopefully trying again next year.