Saturday, 8:00 AM. 24 degrees, wind SW, calm. The sky is completely overcast except for a glimmer of sunshine on the extreme SE and S horizon. The barometer predicts partly cloudy conditions but frankly the day looks rather sullen.There are a lot of slippery spots on the roads from the last snow, and walking the dog was not much fun. The rest of the morning will be spent going to the recycle center and other necessary chores, and out to a different hunting spot for the last few hours of the day. I am giving up on my main stands, there are no deer moving in that whole large area. Yesterday afternoon I saw only two tracks, which showed clearly in 4 inches of snow. Both were trampled by coyote tracks. Can the coyotes be running the deer down into the heavy cover in swamps and ravines? Most hunters in the area (I can’t speak for more distant spots) have been seeing few deer, and all are rather disgusted and perplexed. It will be interesting to see how the DNR analyzes the hunt, and how that will match with what the locals think. I can see a dispute brewing. One very long time resident and hunter said he saw a few does but no bucks out in the County Forest land west of Bayfield, although he had a sow bear with three cubs come to his stand. Another acquaintance had a large bear come to his stand, evidently enjoying all the deer apples.
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