As a viewer of all your shows for a decade, my enjoyment with your most recent shows on the new farm is not predicated on you shooting monster bucks every year. It is an awesome to watch your journey trying to make this new farm into what you envision it being. I hunt in Pennsylvania, had similar deer number struggles on sits, and loved putting your strategies into practice at our property in the tough situations. If anything, I enjoy watching how you deal with the low numbers and having to grind to finally have success on a target buck more than your old shows at your old farm. I am super excited to see what you do with this in the future, and appreciate the knowledge you share, and honesty with this years struggles. I am so glad you are back to filming shows on a regular basis, and look forward to each show....deer or no deer.

Anyone else notice the 3 deer crossing the hillside way behind Bill? At 11:47 mark. Made me chuckle. Good luck with your project Bill. Big fan!

This year was very strange for sure. All over the country. My experience in the east and watching guys as yourself in north and midwest. The Cold snaps didn't seem to bring the movement that normally happens in Oct. And late season on food in daylight almost non existent. Ive tried to pick apart each of our properties as what was the same and what was diff. All I could come up with is...Only the Rut was King. My boys and I were successful Nov 11th thru the 23rd with no opportunities before or after. In 37 years of hunting I can't remember any other year like this. Love the videos and updates Bill! Keep them coming!

Hang in there Bill. Most of us would love the opportunity to create what you are. In two years you will be looking back at this and smiling. 👍🏻🦌

Fun season Bill, glad to be a part of it! Funny seeing those deer running around in the background at the 11:13 mark!

Thanks Bill, love the content, so glad I caught this video, knowledge of knowing and doing will bring success, patience might be the most important trait in Whitetail hunting or in the setup, looking forward to watching the series! Thank you for a great year! be safe, God bless!

Keep after it! It will pay off. Thanks for taking us along Bill!

Love to watch the prep for the next season.

I appreciate your candor in describing your farm. Looks to me that if you are at the bottom, the only way is up. I enjoy all of your incites.

I used to fish for walleyes A LOT. I’d usually head towards the lakes and spots on the rivers with a recognized high walleye population, and catch fish as expected one would. Then I shifted a lot of my energy towards lesser fished, not so walleye abundant spots. Took awhile but we figured those spots out and caught enough to keep coming back. Looking back I enjoyed those “self made spots” more. We couldn’t manipulate the environment to make more / better fishing, but we could change our tactics. Listening to you talk about your farm today reminded me of our change in fishing. I’m guessing (and hoping) your change will result in the same kind of sport satisfaction we had. It’s gonna be a fun journey thanks for bringing us along to watch.

Very good conversation in this episode. Alot of us need to understand that it take time. See you on dream farm. I also am doing land management this year. Also 2 year owning this property in South illinois. Thanks for the knowledge as always.

Great content Bill. I have enjoyed watching the dream farm season as I work on my own dream farm here in NY. The days that you saw very little to no movement I saw the same here and it was difficult to decide where/when to hunt.

Bill, so long as the videos have you in it I will continue to watch. Out of all the hunting industry icons. You are my favorite.

This year has been the weirdest year for hunting for almost anyone I’ve talked to about it. Definitely looking forward to the habitat work tips! I’ve been wanting to do some on the property I hunt but haven’t been sure where to start really.

Thanks for the great channel. I look forward to seeing the changes on your farm in the coming seasons; terrific changes already evident in 2 seasons of viewing.

I mimic a lot of comments on here. As a viewer I am not disappointed what you did or didn’t shoot. I’m am impressed at the work you put in and gives me great ideas on how to improve the property I hunt on. So for that thank you!!

Don't worry Bill..... As smart as you are and with your knowledge in two or three more years you'll have that place pretty much whipped into shape or fairly close. And I can't wait to see it! Hope all goes well and be safe out there.

Bill, thanks for the recap of the season and thoughts going forward. I think the chase is as much fun as the harvesting of deer. I really think with the continued hard work you have been putting in, great results will come your way. It is amazing how the mature deer can only be a fairly short distance away on leased property vs your property. I think your property will be a gold mine down the road although I’m sure that at times it can be challenging especially when you are used to seeing deer on a regular basis. Keep up the great work and God bless ! Brandon

Hi Bill, Wanted to let you know that though you were disappointed in the hunting, I was not at all! Knowing it’s a work in progress, the quality of your process and presentations were always informative and enjoyable. And your Christmas story was incredible! Thanks for sharing the Good News of Jesus so boldly, and be encouraged brother! Happy New Year! Ted

This was by far the worst year my family has had hunting and we did more this year than any year in the past to attract and hold dear. I was a bit surprised how your season went Bill, but it shows you are human after all haha and gave me some encouragement

Man Bill, this content has been so relatable and honestly some of the most helpful. The last two seasons I have dedicated myself to trying to get it done on mature deer in my home state of Florida instead of traveling up north to hunt my families place, where I know I can get it done. I have all the lessons learned but no buck to show for it. I wouldn't wish it on anyone but hearing from a legend like yourself that certain areas are just a grind really helps some of us understand we aren't crazy, sometimes it is just hard hunting. As much as killing isn't everything it is certainly frustrating when you feel you did everything as good as you could without having a body and rack to lay hands on. Best of luck in '24.

Thanks Bill for all your video posts. Been following you from Petersen's Bowhunting Magazine, through Midwest Whitetail, and now on Bowhunting Whitetails. Always love your advice, wisdom, and knowledge of everything Whitetail. You are definitely the best! Always love when you read the Christmas passage of Christ's birth at Christmas time. I also must add, Thanks for revealing the Code Of Silence hunting products. I absolutely love everything I've purchased. Just purchased the back pack. Can't wait to try it out. God bless you, you're family, and the interns.

Love the channel ! after buying are farm in 2007 in WI it was fresh off earn a buck ! the deer were not only few but mainly nocturnal , when I watch your trail cam pics i see a lot of night pics . i also switched to cam that emails me the pics !so i cut down un trips to gather cards ! I have found that the least amount of presence in the woods the more mature bucks WE have moving during daylight ! only a thought but u have helped me so much with your articles and videos I wanted to tell u my findings . since 2007 we have harvested 6 bucks over 160 and two over 180 and went through major EHD event in 2012 God Bless

Last I saw of you was on Midwest Whitetails, lost track for several years, when I searched Midwest Whitetails again I could not find you. Now I'm back and I still love watching your videos!!!!

Not a mistake! I just bought a property in Southern Iowa and had the same frustrations you presented all year. Looking forward to this coming year, making improvements and adjustments, but can’t get much worse than the year we had. Weird year for sure.

A thing we changed on our farm in PA that surprisingly made a difference was changing when we harvested our doe population... we started delaying our doe harvest until very late in the season or extended archery season.. and we concentrated on our target bucks 1st... My theory is that when we would shoot doe throughout the season usually before we had buck encounters, the older buck and doe simply left our 300 acre good mixed habitat farm to neighboring farms once they smelled the blood from the deer, yotes were more frequent in numbers on gut piles, etc.. and while the younger buck and doe stuck around, the older buck and doe left dodge for the most part... we doubled our buck harvest once we started tabling the doe harvest until the last few days of the season in conjunction with changing our ingress / egress to stands .... just a thought..

Love all your content Bill. As a new Iowa resident and being 60 I am going to try and get permission and hunt public. I do have a big private piece in Louisa county I received permission on, it’s two hours north and it holds big deer. But I have to try door knocking this spring closer to home. I would really love to take a nice public buck due to the challenges it poses. Every video you post teaches me and I thank you for that!

Great video. I have similar goals and I had a similar year in Arkansas. I learn a lot from your videos, and I am learning each year by trying things on my 300 acres. I'm still buying land, so m6 improments are comming slower than I want.

You’re farm is improving from all your work, I only have 50 acres in Ohio and the more I do the better it is, love watching you and a few others on habitat and improvement and getting new ideas. Only thing I noticed with your farm is the hilly ness and although you’re not diving into the timber you have to go through areas where I’m sure you’re being monitored by the bigger bucks. Last 2 years I’ve been almost only hunting the downwind sides of my property and not accessing through it, leaving deer on my property undisturbed so far working great! Me and several others in my area killed good ones this year!

I appreciate your videos Bill and have learned a ton. This was an odd season here in west TN as well and I never saw a mature buck. I got some good ones on camera during the week of the 8" snowfall and 0 degree. Unfortunately, I was sick with a cold and couldn't get out during that time. But, there's always next season to anticipate and plan for. Thanks again

EHD has decimated my deer population. Adjusting to day after day not seeng mature deer or any deer is hard to digest. After 25 yrs of managing forest timber harvesting, TSI, planting 22k trees, establishing switchgrass fields and deer bedding habitat & 20 acres of food plots for year round food, you want to see deer. In the end, nature is humbling and i’m reminded as to why i hunt and the little things about time spent in a tree that fuel my desire. Stick with the process and enjoy managing the land with family. They grow bigger when they aren’t stressed. The future awaits. By the way, keep doing what you are doing.

Honestly Bill, I enjoyed the content if you never harvested a deer at all, I still enjoyed the interaction and watching the evolution of your property

I live in southern teir of New York the hunting was the same here I got a lot of fresh air this season. I learned a lot from this season that I'll be definitely using in the future thanks for sharing your property and hunting strategies.

I ultimately had to slip right into the bedding area, but I was late in the rut with only a couple days left to hunt. It worked, but I was only gonna get away with it once or twice. We weren't seeing any on the fringes, but I think for the exact opposite reason. We had ZERO acorns and our food plots couldn't even get established before the deer decimated them. So our problem was no food. Gotta work a lot harder in those situations. Looking forward to riding along with you next season.

Chainsaw, fire, warm season grass barriers, oldfield........ And then about 3 years to grow them is all you're going to need I'm confident. 100% on the fringe hunting.

What’s that ‘Field of Dreams’ saying….😁 You’re living a life a lot of us wish we had, just happy to get to follow along…

Love your videos Bill, they definitely keep me going during hunting season. It can take years to find the "killing tree".

Hey Bill, love your videos, keep making them!!

Keep at it Bill, I know it will come together for you.

Such an odd year. Acorns for sure played a role for everyone it seems. I have talked to so many people who just plain didn't see deer in some of the best regions I know of. Praying for a down acorn year in '24! Also, I continue to focus and hone in on where deer are when I am walking in for morning hunts...since I never see good movement at first light in the mornings during the rut, I am going to start walking in 10 minutes or so after that "gray light" to allow deer to move off fields and back to bedding before they start cruising again. Can't remember if I saw you walking in to stands after daylight for mornings during the rut. Access in the driftless region can be your best friend or greatest enemy it seems. I enjoy seeing how you enter and exit since we hunt the exact same terrain. When a hunt comes together due to terrain funneling deer...it seems too easy. When it doesn't work or you can't figure it out, it seems impossible to kill one.

I love how you're introducing the slightest hints of doubt on if you can do it again. So excited to see your farm flourish while being able to implement similar improvements albeit on a smaller farm!

Great video. Hope your year goes well.

Bill, in the old days I watched your videos because of the huge bucks you would shoot. Now I watch your videos because your situation is more relatable to mine. My point is just keeping making videos and I will continue to watch.

Great series Bill !!!!!!! My whole life has been tuff hunting like you had this year !!!!!!! I don't own my own property and I hunt private property only. I have two small farms that I can hunt but I can't improve them. I think as you said given a few years your farm will be great for the deer and hunting them. Also maybe all your activity this past year has effected how the deer live and move on it. Give it some time and the improvments you have made time to grow and the deer will come. Good Luck and Hang with it !!!!!!!!!

You sure are in a gorgeous part of the country, Bill.

You did have some slow hunts this year along with lots of other people having the same experience. But you shot a dandy buck and lots of does. Can’t hardly even say it wasn’t a good season. Will be fun to see this farm keep improving and I’m sure you will like the challenge

I was so exited when I bought my first small farm 3 seasons ago I told my self it’s going to take at least 5 years to get it we’re I wanted it first two seasons were ughhhh frustrating to say the least last year was much better this year I had a hunt we’re I saw 42 deer 28 bucks to put that in perspective I saw on a good hunt first year like 7 deer the next 8 the next 18 now 42 I had many 20 plus deer sits this year still haven’t shot a buck just bc age structure hasn’t been there I def passed on some deer this year that I may regret lol buts it’s been the funnest journey ever I went from 80 acres to 212 to 302 I have been overly blessed by God I’m so thankful the whole point of this novel I just typed is that it’s going to get better and better bc I have seen the results and don’t have a tenth of your knowledge love the videos I watch ever single one also I’m in southern Missouri

What a piece of property, dream big And enjoy the process love watching your stuff bill

Enjoyed watching the show this year! Not sure if you noticed, but at minute 11:15 on this video, 3 deer are running through the woods in the background over your right shoulder!

I agree that it can get discouraging at times. Keep to your plan with management projects, and I bet in 5 yrs the hunting will be totally different. Rome was not built in a day.... I'm also getting ready to jump neck deep into some management projects one the season here in AL closes in a couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to your next videos. keep up the good work.

I would say the farm is a success. You killed two world-class deer in two years and have established food plots in multiple areas. I also felt burned when I sold one of my farms and then realized after the fact that the farm I purchased had been utilized as a site where the previous landowner allowed the DNR to do CWD culling. For several years, the DNR had permission to bait and shoot every deer on the farm (even though CWD wasn't extremely prevalent in my area of NW Illinois). I actually threw away several trail cameras my first year on the farm thinking they were defective. It turns out, there literally were no deer left. I was embarrassed when I invited a close friend to hunt with me and he actually mentioned he didn't want to hunt the farm anymore after sitting out there two days and not seeing a single deer (over food). Fastforward two years: the DNR is off the farm and has no access to culling in our area from private landowners and two years of strong food plots have made our farm excellent and it keeps getting better. We see deer every sit and harvested some beautiful deer in 2023. Your new farm is just fine and just needs more time with a selective hunter like yourself to pass smaller bucks and load up the farm with food. I always enjoy your videos.

Hey Bill, your commentary seemed to reflect what a lot of landowners/hunters were saying this year. I am sorry to hear of your disappointment in the hunting, but I think you have great things in store for your farm! As you said, it is a "work in progress". You have done more in the last two years on your place than I have been able to do on mine in SEVENTEEN YEARS! And I only have 70 acres!!! But I have slowly been making improvements and it is really beginning to show. We seemed to always have one decent buck on our property that was harvested by either my son, or myself. This year we both got nice bucks, and we have a few more that survived the hunting seasons and should be really nice next year. The best part is that they seem to be staying on my farm for longer periods of time, whereas in the past it seemed like the "good ones" were those that were passing through. The creation of bedding and cover has been a big plus for our farm. This year was definitely different in that the weather was not cooperative at all, and as you know, the acorn crop was outstanding. Good for the deer, not so good for the hunting. I am guessing that the positive of this is that the deer were so spread out that were hard to target leaving "seed" for next year. But having said that, Missouri Conservation just announced that we had a RECORD DEER HARVEST this year! I wonder if it is because they EXTENDED AND ADDED to the season for hunting?! I mean anyone can set a new record if you make the seasons long enough, right? I love your honesty and frankness as to your farm, endeavors, and successes, and am looking forward to another year of great video content. And many thanks to you, Jordan, Ethan, and ALL of your interns, in providing this information to us! God bless!!!

Hey Bill, I experienced similar thoughts on our Ky farm. The area has good genetics and high deer density. We have done alot of habitat projects that has changed the game. The first few years I felt I made a mistake. I've discovered that the land stewardship part has taken center stage. We are now seeing great deer and harvesting them, too. Hopefully you create a place where the deer wants to be. Best Regards Gary

Looks like a awesome piece! I hope 1 day I can seal the deal on something. I'm leasing right now, but nothing is better then owning your own in my opinion

There were plenty of nice deer in the photos you showed. Welcome to reality. You have been so blessed in your life to harvest some amazing deer. You have harvested deer most of us would be happy to see let alone actually harvest.

Excellent analysis. There are good deer there. That is good. Appreciate all the information, education and instruction. Options are always good. Thank you and Lord bless.

Dont give up bill our farm in northeast mo took many yrs to get it to where it is now, Besides i love the work almost as much as hunting,

i am unsure of why, or how. but this year was just off. something was different this season and it seems to be affecting from South Alabama to Iowa where you are. I used to could go to some of my spots and see all the does i could want to see, but this year was a struggle for just that. i would like to think its not a scouting issue, because ive had a few of these spots for years and havent changed anything in my style of hunting. this year can be generalized, for me, as a "Lull". and the most aggravating thing about it is that there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why. i see it in turkey hunting every so many years as well. dont give up! youre getting what the deer want and need. keep putting in the hard work.

Massive question indeed. Look forward to the journey. Know you will follow an Indepth plan. Outcome could go either way.

videos are great! keep it up

Last year when I first saw the drone shots of your farm and the surrounding area I knew late season was going to be a tough nut. Having hunted around/along the MO river for decades it's standard procedure for the deer to start filtering out of the hills and bluffs and closer to the harvested crop fields in the bottoms after the first week of December.

At one point Bill, I was on a streak of 15 straight sits no deer, mix bag of morningsits evenings and even a mid day from 10 to 2p. And what I noticed was on my way driving in and home, I saw no deer as well. I, as you stated, as well like to keep my middle a sanctuary, let em have it I said too. So I fringe hunted... one doe was all I manged to kill this year. Just a very odd year. Middle Missouri is my location too, so very different and difficult. I would summarize this year to be

As a viewer it was definitely different to watch a person with your knowledge and experience have so many sits without seeing an animal especially with all the thought and work put into the property. But it was REAL. So many "Celebrity" hunters would not have showed the unsuccessful hunts. I must say your positive attitude helped me get through a tough season after I had just bought a new property that was is loaded with nice bucks, but as I found out, is hard to hunt. So back to the drawing board for me. I sure hope all that work and effort rewards you next season. As a man approaching my sunset years I still enjoy doing the work , but I am not so tolerant of the "Struggle Bus" hunts. I know for someone like you who has had a lot of success on some monsters and are used to passing big bucks to get them to another age class it has to be disappointing to not see many deer and have so many blank hunts, but your character shines through anyway. I will be along for the ride and it will be just as rewarding for us viewers when the successes come. Thank you for all the tips and knowledge drops and for as Dave Chappell would say " Keeping it real". God speed.

You build it, they will come.._. I have complete faith in your plan. We had a very slow year as well.

I have enjoyed watching the new farm progression 10X’s more than watching southern Iowa guys chase Booners. I can relate better to bettering a property than I can killing monsters! Thanks

What you mean there is not a Booner behind every tree in Iowa? lol, I kid but some seem to think that. Looking forward to the dream farm series, you are the only hunting channel I watch and enjoy. Thanks Bill for taking us along.

I’ve hunted almost 40 years and I’ve killed a lot of very nice deer but I’m still learning with you. Thanks

Great segment, I own land in N/W Illinois Mississippi River valley and we just didn’t see any shooters this year 160” class or better, to be honest we didn’t even see any 145” and we ran dozens of cellular cameras and planted 6 different plots in key locations. I feel like the bumper acorn crop really locked the deer down and they just didn’t move daylight or dark hardly at all. Even talking with neighbors and friends no one really saw a giant this year that I know of. It was very depressing to say the least, all the time money and habitat improvements with nothing to show for it in a season hurts. Here’s to hoping 2024 is a far better season for all afield.

I enjoy your content a lot, and I watch nearly every episode. The fact that you felt the need to make this video with this title tells me the answer to your question. If you seen 5 Booners last season and everyone hunting your place was shooting deer, you have never titled a video this. That doesnt mean sell it and run. Pick up a lease nearby, keep improving your place, and create what you want. Time will be the only fix.

It's still a great farm, good luck in the future Bill.

My farm was kinda like yours this year too didn't see very many deer either killed a nice 8 pt in November using your advice so im going to listen and watch to see what happens so maybe we kill a big one next year thanks bill

Bought some land in Georgia that was once a hunting club and it took about 5 years to get it where it is today 25 years later.we have been seeing and have got 130 plus score deer.Have bigger ones on camera. Thanks Bill for your info.

Hey Bill Great Channel - Don't know if you filmed this episode at the farm or not, but look over your right shoulder at 11:10 for some deer movement. Working a 115 farm in OK myself, great fun! Sometimes i think we see more deer moving when we are not hunting!

Bill you had deer running on the hillside behind you in the video! lol. I have watched you for years and have read your articles. I’m a big fan of you. This farm is definitely different from what you had in Southern Iowa. I believe that you will have this place producing mature deer in 5 years. I just feel like you have had it so good for so long that you are going to have to be able to adjust your methods. Those ridges will cause the wind to blow strangely and deer do not like the wind blowing in a way that makes them cold and makes the security inconsistent. I have hunted in the Appalachian Mountains all my life. It’s so difficult here. The wind will cause deer to be in areas and other areas you can’t hardly find any sign of deer. This has been this way since they first restocked this area with deer from Wisconsin. Anyway I’m enjoying you show and I get a chuckle every now and then when frustration sets in. Keep grinding keep improving I 100% believe that you will crack the code. Good luck!

if anyone can figure it out.. it’s you sir. good thing about seasons with fewer deer is that it doesn’t make being in a tree any less beautiful. God bless ya Bill!

“I’m related to half the county”…. That struck my funny bone. 🤷🏼‍♂️ 😂 As always, I enjoy your content and all the helpful information you put out there. Hopefully that farm will be producing some booners in 2-3 years!

Agree as it was a strange season all over the Midwest. I think with the cattle you had a lot of understory to reintroduce and grow back from depletion. Cattle destroy the browse as you know. You’ve got the food plots, and some mast trees. Curious how you’ll balance the herd with the cover and food. I think in a few more years you’ll have that farm hitting on all cylinders. I’ve been at it for 10 years on the side on my farm and still have a ways to go. For my area just more recently starting to shoot 3.5 year olds regularly. That sounds you but for my area, these are mature deer.

Great monologue, just finished shooting 50 arrows outside. Hunting season never ends just switches to different activities. 🏹🏹🦌🦌.

My cousin's farms in West Virginia has the same issue this year. Acorns were everywhere, so the deer didn't have to move. So, the positive is that in the fall there are going to be some really nice bucks to target and chase.

The farm has good bones. it will take a while to know it and pattern the deer. I have been hunting the same acres for 30 years and every year is different. Deer are good at survival. Plan your plots and they will come. See you in the spring when we start to put the work and planning into next years hunt.

Persistence will pay off in the long run. Also looking forward to watching your planning and strategy for your food plot development. More greens and less corn? No need for corn if there is not a winter herd? Keep the videos coming!

Hang in there Bill. You’ll turn it around!

I enjoyed watching this past season. One thing I noticed on a lot of your videos was that y’all were snacking on Dots pretzels. I’d never tried any until this past weekend. I bought the honey mustard ones and I can see now why y’all like them so much! I think they should be one of your new sponsors! Just a thought.😜

I bought 65 acres 3 years ago, some old family land down here in Alabama. First year, I had 2 regulars… yes 2 does. No bucks. Year 2 I had 5-6 regulars, a small spike, etc. didn’t shoot anything still. After TSI and year round food plots, this year I had 10-15 regular does and and small bucks, and for the first time had 2 large shooter bucks appear. Granted it was during couple weeks of rut, but still. Just proves that sometimes it takes time, work, some years of lean. I’m talking about TINY acreage compared to most.

Great videos Bill, I learn something new every time I watch them. I did see a quick scene of you dumping something on stumps after you cut the tree down? What was that, and does that kill the stump? Look forward to the video

Two more years you’ll have what you want .. keep working and be patient!! 😎

As someone who started from a pretty “blank” slate on our generational 40 acre property here in MI and a 38 acre piece I since sold to my buddy I enjoyed this video. I often feel like I’m wasting my time and money being stuck in MI.

Good luck Bill 👍

We had a weird year… not a single mature buck across multiple farms. Hopefully things pick up for you

thank you Bill! I saw the biggest buck (160 incher??) on my WI property 2X this year. Almost got a shot both times but just out of range. I also saw more deer this year than any other year I have hunted my property over the past 4 years. For some reason, my property is a "buck property" as I generally see 10 bucks to 1 doe. On my 43 acres, my brother and I can see upwards of 3-15 deer per hunting day. Most of the bucks are the 140 or less size. With only 10 days per year to hunt and living in AZ, I just cant commit myself to developing this property to its fullest potential quickly. I also settle for shooting 3-4 year old 125-140 inch deer which I think is OK because there are just too many bucks on the property which may be pushing bigger bucks off. I have done a small amount of TSI, opened logging roads and converted mowed grass into CRP which has increased the number of deer and wildlife substantially. The property will be logged in 2025 which will substantially increase my stem count and rut funnel potential. I would love to do a food plot but time simply does not allow for it as well as buy conjoining land but no takers. I hope to retire in the next 3 years or so and really focus on this property.

5yrs or more years , In my opinion is when you will see the big changes. I hunt most state land some 35 or more year. Several time the state would cull deers. The next 3 4 or even 5 years I would always see doe with 2 or 3 fawn. As the herd would recover they typically a single fawn. Everyone would blame culling, too much acorns or not enough. You now have the food, Nov 9 proved it to have quality! Going from a great farm, to a cattle farm, is going to take time. Going to take patience and time. Mentally and physically Good luck, stay positive.

Wow that's kind of crazy you can hunt a week and not see any deer Bill. Best of luck if anyone can bring back a new deer herd i believe you can!

I think it’s something you need to give time definitely got the food it will happen

Bill, I think if you used the overnight-culvert tactic, you would’ve got one of those mature bucks. Haha! 😂 Better luck next year. It’s been enjoyable watching your season. 👍🏻

Look into Green Cover Seed food plot seed.. i believe it can improve your property with blends of seed.

I think you've got enough ground that you've got a chance that in the future, you should have a handful of mature deer that end up calling it home. Alot probably depends on your neighbors too. Its just going to take time, and alot of hard work, but you already know that. You've got nothing to prove. We all know you are plenty skilled. You cant kill what simply doesnt live there. I enjoy your episodes regardless!!

Bill - love your show, hard work, and dedication. The one thing I was surprised with when I saw your new farm for the first time was the severity of elevation/slope on those big ridges that run through the farm. It seems a bit abnormal for the Midwest, but perhaps it’s very normal for your area. If it is more abnormal than other areas, do you think the deer may prefer flatter grounds around your farm instead of having to traverse the elevation on your property?

I wonder if you have fully evaluated the last year or 2 or 5, weather and food wise. Both negative at your location and positive at adjacent areas. I've had 5 tough years. Ice storms last year, drought and poor food over summer. Neighbors putting in large high quality food plots, high harvest of 2-1/2 year old bucks in the area. It took me 3 years to figure out why my once bountiful location had dried up. Slowly bringing things back. Enjoy your farm it beautiful

Seems to take just about 6 years here in Upstate NY to see a end result. And half of that is the hunter learning along the way how to hunt the area and relearn deer

I’ve had years like that on a lease I’ve had for 20+ years. Amazing really, how different years can be. EHD ruined the place for a few years and now they are thick as curls on Shirley Temple! I bet u will have a few beauties next year.