Fast forward 3 hours; I spotted what I'm guessing was him on my 2nd lap around the 'block'. He was alone about 40 yards from his earlier spot in the field, 5-10 yards inside the wood edge. It looked like a big deer and it was alone, so I'm guessing it was him. It seemed like a weird spot, about 100 yards from a house. Between the house and field edge is a wooded horse enclosure/pasture, so maybe there's a benefit to being close to the horses. There are a lot of coyotes this year.
I was pumped to see his growth from the last time I saw him on July 16th. He's added several inches to what looked like every tine.
I haven't done much shining since I was little until this year. Back then it was a way for my dad to just get me out to see some deer. It's pretty fun, and I'm gaining useful intel I didn't have 2 hours ago.
Are there any tips besides my interpretation of the 'basics'? Here's the list I'm working from, when time permits.
1. First hour or two of dark and/or before sunrise. (Noting how it relates to bedding...)
2. Shining on and noting different winds/weather.
3. Documenting encounters and conditions (crop, weather, moon, etc.)
Here he is July 16th... 2:30PM - Any guess on age? I have seen some serious tracks all late fall into spring, I assume they belong to him. If not, cool.
