Might move my set up, need advice.

[76truck]

So before bow season kicked off, I found a nice high traffic area right in a dried out creek bed. I set up and the camera was showing some promising things.

All season long I have only taken a doe and it seems that they are on high alert every time. Today my dad told me the same thing, had some does but they are very skittish.

My question is does/has any body ever hunted in a creek bed and what habits did the deer display ? Are the deer more alert then normal ?

I'm thinking the acoustics of being in a valley and in a creek bed causes more stress on the deer and keeps them on the swivel. What's yalls opinion ?

I have a new place in mind just up the way from here in a high traffic area with some rubs I would like to get set up. Just not sure if I am jumping the gun or not.

[76truck]

Here's a pic of the current set up.

[millerhunter]

This creek bed should turn out pretty good. I moved my set up 2 weeks ago. Had been scouting out a low lying draw, worried about it being so late in season. On my trail cam, I have seen 4 different buck, 10 doe in one pic and some pigs. Low lying is where they are traveling.

[JGreen31]

Wind may be swirling in the creek bed.

Or.... Their inability to see what they consider a safe distance may be causing them to stay on alert from predators.

[76truck]

Another thing is that they walk the road near by and head down to the corn, then turn back and go on about there business. I missed out on a nice 8 due to there alertness. I mean out of no where they just hauled butt outta of there with no explanation on my end.

[Daniel75]

I'd move the feeder to the new spot but keep the stand in the creek bed and hand corn it instead.

[catfishryan]

looks like a good spot to me. do you have lots of hogs? pigs like to run close to the creek bottom. maybe they run the deer off often? is that the only water source? maybe its where predators and everything else comes to drink

[flywise]

change is good

[Phil D]

You've got two more weekends. I wouldn't worry about jumping the gun. The camera won't lie. If you're seeing a lot less traffic, I'd take a chance and move. Good luck.

[76truck]

Hogs move in around 9pm and will stay all night till early morning. The main water source is about 1,000 yards or more down river where it empties into a big tank. Did not think about predators. Lots of coyotes I know for fact. Possible pack bedding down all season ? I dunno

The traffic is not bad, they are way more jumpy compared to the other stands i have sat in when they come to mine. I just wish I knew why. I know scent is out because I had 3 does about 5 yards out, practically under me.

Thanks for the advice.

[Dejashoot]

Some times it is better to hang a stand or tripod on a travel route than to move a feeder into the area. Hand corn it when you are there just to slow them down as they pass through.

[bowhuntntxn]

Even when you think it is still, angled ground is creating wind currents. Try to find a milkweed pod, and drop some of the floaters from your stand. And watch what happens to them when they get close to the ground. They will shoot either uphill in the morning as it is getting warmer, and downhill in the evenings as the air cools down.

The deer are more alert because they smell something out of place, and are on alert, and even if you don't feel the wind moving your clothes, or blowing on your skin, it is constantly moving in low spots like that. If you have a way to glass your area from a good distance(+200 yards away) see how the deer act when you are not in there. They will be a lot more calm I suspect.