Scouting trip

I woke up early yesterday morning to go scouting for a mature gobbler. That  was my main goal for yesterday, but on the way over there others came to mind. The two other goals for the day were to find potential deer stand locations for next fall and to look for deer antler sheds. When I arrived to the property, I tried calling a few times so to locate a gobbler but had no such luck. I moved to another location and eventually got a response from a gobbler that was 200 yards away. I was excited and backed out of the area so I wouldn't pressure him. Then I was off to look for deer sign and antler sheds. After walking a little ways, I ended up hearing a few coyotes howl. I did not think much of it and kept walking in the same direction. A few minutes later, I ended up face to face with a coyote. He was twelve yards away, and I think we surprised each other equally. After my mini heart attack, I continued my quest to find antler sheds but had no luck on this day. I looked everywhere I could think a deer would drop his antlers. I looked on fence lines, creek bottoms, bedding areas, deer trails, and the thickest cover I could find. The reality of the situation is the deer could have dropped their antlers in neighboring properties or the underbrush could have grown to cover them. I could have just missed them yesterday. Even though I didn't find any antler sheds, I had a blast. I ended up seeing nine deer, I found some new potential deer stand locations for next fall, and I had a lot of good deer pictures on my trail camera as seen below. For me spending a day in the outdoors is a great stress reliever. I feel good and refreshed, and I recommend that everyone should take the oppurtunity to walk outside and enjoy the great outdoors.