Hunter hears odd clicking noises while scouting witnessed in Delaware County, New York

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I heard clicking noises that I thought sounded like rocks smashing together. I continued to hike to my deer stand, paying little attention to the sounds. When I got to my stand, I heard the same sound again. I could not pinpoint the direction of the sound at that time. There is a quarry to the south and a sportsmans club to the east so I figured there was someone working on either property. Every so often, I would hear about 3-5 clicks in a row and then they would cease. This went on for about 45 minutes or so. I remember thinking it strange that in 9 years of hunting this very spot, I could not remember ever hearing these "clicks". I was able to locate the direction of the sound to be on the ridge bordering the State Land and the Clubs property. I turned my attention to that area, trying to scope the ridge and hillside for the source of the clicking sounds. Finding nothing up there moving and still hearing the clicking, I decided to leave and scout another location. About h...