Well this morning I was out at first light in a new area that I scouted last week. As I walked in on the flats, about a quarter mile from the truck I came across some very recent tracks that looked like a good size buck chasing a doe around. I followed the tracks into some oaks and where it opened up again on the far side, kept in cover as I looked around. The trouble was that the tracks led downwind. I called from cover but got no response. I continued on, still-hunting up the canyon, scrolling the rim of the wash from time to time when tracks crossed the main path. There were a lot of fresh tracks, but I didn't see any deer. I went up to the spring, but found very little sign in the immediate area. They don't appear to be using it at the moment. On the way back to the truck, near where I'd seen those first tracks, I saw a lone deer. It was probably a buck by the size of its neck, but if he had a rack, it was no more than spikes. He'd seen me first and moved off before I could do more than range him at 87 yards. I gave him a couple minutes, then went after him. But he was long gone. All in all it was a pleasant morning, though I confess a little more violence would have suited me better.
