I say get yourself some venison because as well as it's going you never know what Mother Nature has in store. I've owned my place for 19 years and only shot a couple does. That was in the first couple years until I realized I had neighbors who slaughtered them. Those neighbors sold to people...
I’m a no on scents also. Never had anything but bad reactions with them. And the only time I’ll use a grunt call is if I see a buck going the other way.
I hear you. Headed out this week. Only one mature deer I’ve seen. A big old 8. I may forego buying an archery tag and just hunt with my video camera. But you know what will happen if I only have a camera 😆
Your little Pine tree is doomed 🥲
Get a post hole digger and put a cedar trunk there. Then hang stuff from it. A grape vine, rope, better yet find a scrape branch were you don’t need it and transplant it. It will be a destination tomorrow.