This has been an odd year for whitetail in North Carolina everyone keeps talking about what a tuff year they had here in Georgia and South Carolina. Friends of ours that usually have their freezers filled by the middle of the season have returned home empty handed, shaking their heads. "No deer this year, not seeing anything it’s been a really odd season". A few of our friends have had luck harvesting a deer or two but they also say the hunting has not been like years in the past.

Our freezer is also empty this year for the first time in many years. It’s not the first time this has happened and I am sure it won’t be the last. Jim and I both saw deer this season but they just wouldn’t cooperate. You know, to far away for a clean shot, to young let them grow or just rotten luck. Truth told we didn’t get to hunt this year as much as we usually do and that is what I attribute it to. Others have spent countless hours in the woods with the same result; they didn’t see any deer. So the question is where are the deer this year?

I believe that it is from several different factors. The weather here in my mountain home has been different this year. We had a very rainy spring, summer and early fall. I believe that because of this that food sources could be found closer to bedding areas and the deer have not had to travel as far for food and water. We have been in a drought here for several years but this year we have had enough rain to put the water tables back where they need to be. As a result flora and fauna have the balance that is needed which makes it tougher to find a whitetail’s travel area. If they don’t have to travel for food and water they will stay close to their bedding area which reduces activity.

Another factor I believe played a role is the temperature. The temperature here has been cooler than usual as well. We only had a few hot days in the summer and the fall and early winter were very mild. It is beginning to get cold now and we had a few weeks of cold weather in December. The rut here was later than usual and again cut down on travel activity.

If you had a season like ours here are some reasons and some tips that might help you next season. Tip 1: I believe we are creatures of habit much like the Whitetail we hunt. When we find a "honey hole" we expect it to produce year after year. How many times have you scouted early season and found good sign in your favorite place and decided to hang your stand in the same location as last year and the year before? Yes, it works but I think we need to be willing to give up that spot for a year or two and find another if not for any other reason than to let that one rest.

Tip 2: Do you have more than one treestand? Save your pennies and buy an extra stand after the season when they are usually on sale. Gorilla Treestands offers a great line of hang ons and ladder stands that are affordable, lightweight and comfortable. If you can only afford one treestand, try a climbing treestand. This way you can move your stand to a different location or a different vantagepoint and be mobile. If you have more than one stand you can change your location and not pollute your area or over hunt it.

Thanks to modern technology, hunting and outdoor products just keep improving. With the advancement in hunting equipment, we are now able to stay in the woods longer than before. Treestands are lighter, more comfortable, easier to put up and take down and safety is the key factor from manufacturers. How many of you have hunted out of a homemade treestand with a plywood bottom and a tubing frame that you made yourself or bought from your buddy. It was attached to the tree with a logging chain and some bolts. Most people used screw in tree steps to climb in and out of their homemade stands. With all the new treestand technology, everyone can hunt safer no matter your age or experience level. Let’s not forget the advances in treestand harnesses as well. The new full body harness is what I recommend, again they is one to fit everyone regardless of gender or age. We no longer have to worry about sitting perfectly still in our stands because we know that one false move and your on your way to the bottom of that tree 0-60 in less than 5 seconds.

Lets not forget about all the new clothing that has come along in the last 20 years. Insulated everything! I remember when a good warm coat was all that was needed to have a great day afield. To complete the outfit, a pair of blue jeans, flannel shirt and a pair of boots. None of which was Gore-Tex, wind resistant or insulated very well. We now have boots that will keep our feet warm and dry in –30 degree temperatures. Insulated bibs and coats that make you feel like you sitting in the summer sun while you are on an Arctic adventure and what about those long johns that wick moisture and regulate our body heat under our insulated outer garments.

Bows, Rifles, Shotguns, and Muzzleloaders have also come a long way. There is a model for everyone regardless of age or strength. Anyone can enjoy hunting at their level and know that they will be successful if the opportunity presents itself. Thanks to single cam bows, we don’t have to worry about timing or constant tuning. The muzzle break on rifles enables us to shoot a large caliber with flatter trajectory and very little recoil. Our possible sacks are now equipped with pyrodex pellets and sabots with the wadding attached for our Muzzleloaders, they are easier than ever to load and shoot.

However, with all this technology have we advanced with the equipment? I think that all these comforts have made us a little lazy and we take them for granted. What if we had to hunt in the snow and cold like we use to? We would wrap our feet with plastic bags before we put on our boots to keep out part of the water from the snow and rain. What if we only had one warm coat that acted more like a sponge when it rained than a coat? Would we still be out there diligently hunting in the cold? Would we still go in these conditions if we knew we would have frostbite when we got back home? Some would stay at home and decide the grocery store was closer, warmer and easier.

As for me, I would pray for long autumns with mild temperatures and little snow. I would hunt off the ground like I use to because I never like the idea of hanging by a logging chain in a tree anyway. I would enjoy my time in the woods even though I had to hike 2 miles to get to my honey hole. I for one am thankful for all the technology in the hunting industry and I know equipment will only get better.

With all of the great equipment we have and all the excuses I have used, I still have an empty freezer this season. As I sit here, I am already thinking of next year and mentally preparing to outsmart those wily whitetails.

Now don’t feel to sorry for me though, thanks to great friends that hunt we will have deer meat in the freezer and be invited to a few feast of Whitetail Backstrap this winter. We will return the favor next year if the need arises, hunters are the greatest at helping other hunters.

Even though it may be the end of the trail for this season, opening day will be here before we know it. In addition, let’s not forget Turkey Season is right around the corner, would you like white or dark meat?