Nebraska here I come!
Whitetail Deer
Contributors to this thread:
Tomorrow morning can not get here fast enough. I feel like a little kid, (yea at the age of 76) tucked in bed, on Christmas Eve with visions of sugar plums, candy canes, white tail and mule deer on my mind. In the past I have killed five mule deer bucks and three white tail bucks, one wt making Pope and Young measurements on this property just adjacent to the sand hills of west central Nebraska. The farm is off the main hard topped road two miles via, a sand road that dead ends at the property. The surrounding properties are rolling grass land cattle country and not another farm in sight for miles. Nine hundred acres with shelter belts and five 100 acre pivots usually planted in corn but this year, all of the pivots are planted in beans. After setting up my popup camper in an old three sided horse barn, that evening and the next day or two, I will drive to the highest hill and use the bios and spotting scope to access the deer population and how I might hunt them by tree stand, or ground blind.
There is something about Nebraska and maybe even some of the other mid western states that is so appealling. Sure, whitetail deer are special but so are the people and the ranch and farm owners and work so hard to make a living from the land. Maybe it is the custom of giving a "high there" wave as you meet another truck on the rural gravel roads. Maybe it is the fact that there are still some gravel and dirt road that exist. I love to see a road sign stating, "un-improved road ahead, travel at your own risk". I know exactally where I am heading. And maybe it is the small towns, where for lunch or breakfast, you actually get home cooking at a great price. And maybe it is the fact that I just purchased my non resident deer tag for $236 and that includes a $20 Habitat Stamp. Add all of these "maybe"s together and one gets a real since of country and the feel of Nebraska.
If all goes well, there might be a good story for my fellow Bowsiters. Be sure to check back in a week to so for the END of the story.
My best, Paul
I'm ready ! Good luck Paul !
Good luck! I'm heading there on the 5th and was there last year, South of Keya Lana. My hunt was over after the first two hours and my buddy was done the next morning. It was warm and we had to head back home to take care of the deer and I only saw a fraction of the property. I've been hoping to go back since we left and was excited a couple weeks ago when there was another opening this year. I had a hard time sleeping that night.
I totally understand your anticipation/excitement.
I even took a bite out of my funds and got the spend Millennium tripod stand, since a lot of the trees are cedars.
Do you hunt from stands or blinds?
Paul, I heartily agree with your assessment of Nebraska. I lived the first 40 years of my life there, and miss it still, especially this time of year.
But ... what are you doing advertising it on the internet? Let's keep this our little secret, and maybe re-title this thread "A deer hunt in a non-specific plains state".
Does that work for you?
Good luck Paul!
I went out to Neb over the weekend and between the warm temps, mosquitoes, corn not picked, very little sign, I came home the next day.
I wish you the best of luck!
Did you bring the moose meat I gave you? :)
Good luck, my friend! Can't wait to hear about your adventure!
Best of luck Paul!!! You are a true inspiration to us all! Here's to your best one yet!!! Hunt
I'm headed there tomorrow as well. Eastern Nebraska to hunt whitetails along the Elkhorn River. It will be great to sit in a climbing treestand after a hard elk hunt season. Both fun, both totally different. In two weeks, I switch to western Nebr and hunt mule deer.
Go get em Paul. Can't wait to hear the stories and see the pics. Good luck!
An invite, and I could of had you speaking Canadian in 3 days!
Get'em buddy!!!!!!! Good luck and God Bless
Best of luck to you, Paul !! Sounds like a little slice of heaven. My kinda place for sure!!!
Paul go get them you are such a legend good luck Shane
Hope your decoy doesn't get all beat up on the first set Paul!!
Looking forward to your story.......AND the pics!... good luck and stay safe!....Troy
Good luck Paul! Looking forward to seeing your results. Travel safe!
Good luck Paul, I hope you have better luck in the western part of Nebr than I did this evening in the eastern part. I saw nothing.
Good luck Paul! I ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska and it is indeed a special place!
Welcome to Nebraska Paul! You won't need any luck! I can tell by your description of the anticipation that this hunt will be successful for you. My two older sons (10 and 8) and I are heading about 3 hours east of you tomorrow. Meeting my dad, my brother and his son (10) for our 3rd annual Ducks N Bucks camp. Sounds much like your trip except we will be deep in the sandhills, 4 miles and 8 gates from the main two-track road, staying in a line-shack with a lot of history. My sons get to hunt and explore the land their Great-Grandfather homesteaded back in 1910. This is my favorite hunt of the year! I/We will be anxiously awaiting your update! Have a blast! Andy
Good luck, Paul. I'll occupy the women in the gym while your out hunting ;^)
Best of luck, I always enjoy reading your post!!!
Good luck Paul!!
I will be heading there on Friday . This year my daughter is finally going . Pretty excited about that
Looking forward to the story and pics, Paul. Love western NE! Hope to make a turkey trip out there again next spring.
good luck on your adventure!
Good luck, Paul! Look forward to the story and photos!
Good luck Paul, looking forward to hearing your story unfold! ??
Looking forward to a good story with some good photos... best of luck Paul, go get em.
Paul, Just got home last night from Nebraska! Shot a 7x6 Mulie. Not huge or anything like that, but nice! Shot it with my Blacktail at about 27/28 yrds. I'll post a picture later. GOOD LUCK!
Paul
Good Luck out there we will be headed through Western NE Saturday afternoon to hunt in SD!
Good luck Paul! Been hankering to go to Ne for a number of years now. One of these days.....
Good for you guys Paul. Keep it up. Hope you have a great trip, thanks for keeping us involved.
Best of luck Paul, hope the temps aren't to bad. You are my inspiration as well!
Good lock Paul. Looking forward to fallowing along.
Stop by when ya get back. I want the first hand report. Good luck buddy!
Have a great hunt Paul! Can't wait for your return and wish you the best.
Good luck Paul! Hopefully Nebraska will be good to you!
Anyone else wish Paul didn't post this, I don't want to wait that long to read about his hunt, such a great outdoor writer!
Good luck Paul!
Get-r-dun bud...wishing you some cooler weather and a great hunt!
Just giving this a bump so we can read your story.
I Talked to him earlier this week, he has been seeing a good buck and trying to pattern him. He even bought a trail camera, which I believe is a first for him . He is pulling out new tricks.
Paul with a camera! Probably a black and white model with film..
;)
Good luck, buddy! I'll be on the plains in 5 days. Can't wait!
Best of luck Paul, looking forward to your story and pictures.
Ok, I am back after 9 days in my second home, Nebraska. Well, at least my second HUNTING home. Can not complain about the nice weather!. Yea, highs in the 70- 80s but Saturday morning the temp was 29 degrees and calm. South winds expected to blow up to 20 mph by 10 am. Needed to get this hunt over before I got sun burned.
Here is the question. How many of you have never ripped your pants on a barbed wire fence? I did twice but was lucky the pants were an old pair of camo pants and not my expensive Sika Mt. Pants.
Got to clean out the truck and park the camper. Ya'all check back later for the rest of the story. Oh, then I might have walk the dog. Broncos' are playing tonight so it might be later yet.
My best, Paul
Lookin forward to it, Paul!
Got to North Platte on Wed evening and took my friends out to dinner and spend the night at their house. The next morning I was excited to head north to the property where I had hunted off and on for the past 20 years. The last time was two years ago where I had killed a nice mule deer buck. I had been told that instead of corn planted in the five 110 acre pivots, they had planted soybeans. Corn had been planted during the previous 30 years. Well I knew that beans really attracted the deer so I was looking forward to see if that was true. Two years ago it took me 8 days to finely kill that mule deer buck from a tree stand and I did not see that many whitetail deer. EHD had taken its toll on the population with at 30% reduction or more. It would interesting to see if the wt population had recovered some.
The sand hills of Nebraska are the result of the out wash from the Continental Glacier thousand of years ago. And under the Sand Hills is a huge aquifer that stretches south into Oklahoma. Wells that support pivot irrigation are only 100 ft down. Add water and some fertilizer, and one can grow crops such as corn.
And then add some wind breakers and other trees........
and highway deer crossing signs start being place in strategic places.
I turned onto the 2 mile sand road to the farm
At first glance, one might believe that not a creature stirs.
I crested the hill and was shocked to see, no beans, but 550 acres of 3 in high rye grass.
Other than the shelter belts there was no cover or prime food like corn.
I was looking at at 550 acre golf course. I learned later that the bean had been harvested and then the rye was planted. The local feed lot had leased the property to graze their 100 head of cows later in the week.
Well, deer will eat rye grass. Tonight will prove that as I scout the property as the sun sets later.
The only place out of the wind and sun was a three sided horse shed. The pop up fit just right so I had a cozy place to camp and there was a water spigot near by.
An hour before sun down, I drove to my over look and started glassing with the bios and spotting scope.
I pictured in my mind the places i had killed 5 mule deer and two wts.
This farm had changed a lot during the past 15 years., There use to be an old over grown farmstead that the far west pivot surrounded but that farmstead had been knocked down and buried. This was a great place for the deer to hid or retreat to when bad storms came upon the region. I had killed two mule deer and one wt there.
As usual, sharp tails were great in number with over a 100 sighted
As the shadows lengthened, these white tailed deer came out to feed. No bucks.
and a couple of mule deer does
the sun set but i was curious to see what the morning would provide
Back at the over look as the sun broke over the surrounding hills
I scanned the field and spotted this small wt buck. Also the same doe group as the night before
The next few days just provided the same buck and does.
a couple of mule deer does joined in
Thursday, Friday and Saturday passed without much change. A few more MD on the adjacent property.
Time to go hunting. I would use the ladder stand where I killed my MD two year ago. Maybe some new buck would just show up.
I was in the stand well before the sun came up. Movement to the left. Two mule deer buck and 4 does but all out of range for my recurve bow. Limbs in the way.
I buck grunted and doe bleated at them anyway. They kept going out of sight. At least I know there was a good MD buck in the area.
Wait, behind me a sound. I slowly turned an spotted the same small WT buck approaching. He had heard my deer sounds. On he came and then walked within 15 yards of the stand. I drew the recurve on him as he provided an easy shot. He walk on looking for the deer he thought he had heard. I let down.
Ok, another plan. The mule deer bucks had come from the end of the shelter belt and had been feeding on the rye grass there. I placed the popup blind over looking the area and placed out the WT decoy. Maybe this would work.
I sat the blind that evening, the next morning and evening but no MD showed up. The next day I tried and far shelter belt without success and no deer sightings. If no luck in the morning I would leave this area and head south and east to a SWA where I had killed a lot of turkeys and a few deer in the past.
Tuesday morning. No luck. Packing up and heading for a new place.
The BIG deciding factor that morning was that the 100 cattle were released onto the 3 west pivots where I had the most action.
The deer hunting mood was broken. Time to move.
Sounds like a good time to move..lol Great pics and story so far. Good luck!
Ok, heading south and east to a new hunting area. I have spent a good amount to time at this SWA for turkeys and deer so I know it fairly well. While in North Platte, I purchase my first trail camera. I want one for my January AZ deer hunt but this would be a good time to try one out. I set up camp in one of the camping spots on the SWA and as usual, I spent two days scouting from a few advantage points. I usually only hunt in the evenings for the first few days. and leave the mornings for scouting from a far. Picture is scouting in the AM for deer movement and numbers.
and bingo, the first morning
I saw this buck the next morning also but the wind was not right to hunt him. This SWA gets a lot of pressure as the many tree/ladder stands indicate. I hunted a small area in the SWA next to private property and had a doe at 30 yards but did not shoot. The same happened the next day in the same spot in the PM. The next day. November 4, the wind would be changing and I needed to find a new spot.
How cool would it have been to have been crouched down in that grass Paul? :^)
I remembered an area where I had turkey hunting last spring that look good for deer. Saw lots of track along a small drainage-- sort of a natural pathway for deer. Lots of mature cotton wood trees and thickets. Maybe a bedding area of sorts but at least a good travel/funnel area between a hill and the deep creek 100 yards away. I would give it a try the next morning and just hunt off the ground and let my camo work.
An hour before light, I passed between the two cotton wood trees in the above picture, found the dry shallow drainage just a few yards ahead and settled in using a fold up stool to set on. I nestled back into a cedar tree after trimming a few branches. The wait was on. The first hour was slow but as the sun was up for a while, I detected movement. Deer coming my way. Eight does and fawns. Five of the does broke off and were heading down wind but up to 35 yards. The other three continued on and farther up the creek. I looked for antlers but saw none. The morning wind current was trying to make up its mind which way to blow. Well it blew my scent right to the 5 deer. They departed quickly. I waited for another hour and out comes a doe walking down the dry drainage a few yards away. She passes at five yards. No more movement that morning but when I returned that PM, I moved my ground locations 40 yards to there the 5 does and end up behind me. There was more cover there. No action that evening.
A cool front started to arrive and it was 29 degrees in the morning as I reached my hide. With the leaves on the ground and the dead sticks and branches underneath, it sounded like I was walking on frosted flakes. No wonder the deer like to walk the dry drainage as there was hardly any debris on the ground.
The weather report was for gusty south wind in the late AM but for now, the cool currents of the AM was blowing in my face. I crossed my fingers, the wind would hold for this morning hunt. At 7:18 am the buck appeared in the dry wash and was heading my way 40 yards away. There were a few small tree between us so I waited for him to pass by one and I slipped off my stool and came to draw.
Notice, I had cleared out all of the leaves and stick under foot as not to make any movement noise. The buck was only 18 yards away when I doe bleated to stop him.
The Montana Gold single green pin glowed brightly in the morning light and as the buck stopped and quartered towards me, the pin settled on his front shoulder. The release trigger was automatic and within a mega second, WACK. The buck spun back the way he had come on a full run. I must have hit a shoulder bone was my thought.
A lot can happen and the view through a 1/4 inch peep can be misleading sometimes at the moment of the shot. I did not see the arrow in the deer as he departed. Did I miss?
I found the arrow sticking in a tree. yea, the WACK sound. Did I miss? Upon closer examination, there was hair on the blades.
and blood on the other end
a good indication of a good hit
and 30 yards farther. Blood with air bubbles, a lung hit and pass through.
and 50 yards farther as I found him
the Montoc 5 entered here
a 4x4, two year old buck. Great eater for sure.
Awesome story Paul!
Congrats!
Much better than the Bronco game
Happy hunter. I enjoy hunting off the ground especially in a hard hunted pressured area like a SWA. Ever changing winds can wreak havoc on a hunt if one only relies on a tree stand, especially ladder stand. And with cottonwood tree being what they are, always bending, it is hard to use a climbing stand. With a stand, one might feel obligated to always hunt that area. With hunting off the ground I can adjust to the wind and changing hunting pressure and deer movement.
Nice job Paul. Great eats for sure. Thanks for taking us along on your hunt. Ken
After field dressing the deer the challenge was to drag it out to the truck 400 yards away. A rope around antlers and a pulling stick thought the rope made the drag possible with a few rests inbetween.
back at the pop up that night. A hunter's meal.
I broke camp on November 6 after skinning and quartering the buck and headed for home as the sun was just above the horizon.
Another good hunt, a good buck, some great wild game meat, and I still learned something more about deer hunting.. Be flexible!
Leaving Nebraska and heading back to my favorite hunting place and home. Thanks for following along. my best, Paul
Post script: Almost forgot. As I passed though Imperial Neb this morning I pulled up to gas up and spotted these two bow hunters from Kansas, Jerry and Joe cleaning the road dust from their truck. They had been hunting out of state and killed a mule deer buck and a pronghorn. Having the time of their lives. Good going guys and fellow Bowsiters.
Thanks for taking us along on your trip!
Another life adventure! Being flexible....a great attribute revisited! Thanks for reminding me as I need to be more flexible!
Thanks for taking us along Paul!
You are an inspiration!!!
Mark
Congrats Paul....thanks for the recap and pics!
Thanks Paul! Good read and I loved your camp inside the barn. Well done!
Always a great story to go along with your adventures. Thanks for posting ! Hunt
Nice Paul, congrats on your success.
great thread, thanks for taking us along. congrats on a great hunt and kill. I really enjoyed this.
Great thread Paul! You da man!
Great hunt Paul, thanks for letting us tag along again!
Great hunt Paul! Congrats on your buck! Thanks for sharing your story and pics with us, excellent as usual.
P.S. I like your deer drags. I use something very similar. I use a couple pieces of 1.5" or 2" dowel rod cut 6" long with a hole drilled through the center. I run my rope through the center and voila, two deer drags with handles. They work great!
Congrats Paul, thanks for sharing the story and pictures with us!
Congrats Paul, thanks for sharing the story and pictures with us!
Paul, Great story. I need to ground hunt more, I like idea of bringing a folding stool. Glad the trail camera helped you. You left out your trademark picture of whatever novel you read while in the blind and camper. No good read this time?
Glad you asked Jerry. Also a few pics from the new trail camera.
Thanks for sharing, excellent as usual.
Awesome story Paul. Lately I've been on the ground while searching for where the deer are with the lack of acorns. Your story made me feel better about not being in a stand at the moment thanks!
Thanks for the hunt Paul!
Ha! I was betting on you getting it done. Congrats and God Bless
Congrats, Paul! Enjoyed the read!
Well that was fun sharing so thanks for the nice replies. Tricia and I had the Tenderloins last night and washed it down with a glass of red wine. My next WT hunt will be down in AZ in January hunting the gray ghost, ie, Coues Deer. Two years ago, I found 50# of GRASS down there, but turned it over to the Boarder Patrol. Man! I could have purchased a new truck, Oh well.
My best, Paul
Always a blessing to follow Pauls threads! Congrats Paul!
Very fun trip, thanks for sharing Paul. Always fun to take one on "their" level too!
Great job, Paul!! I'm headed out to the prairie tomorrow for however long it takes. Congratulations!!!!!
Lou, Knowing you, you have a plan. Good luck. Paul
Great thread and pics Paul! Congrats on your buck. You saved a little wear and tear on your decoy too!
Way to go Paul I really like the pictures feel like I'm in the hunt! That asat camo is hard to beat as well, some day I will have to get some. Thanks for taking us along.
Thanks for taking us along Paul.
Good luck, Robb
1. thanks Robb, looks like you have a house full of critters. 2. John, those ASAT coveralls are made of Buck suede material and the sand burrs do not stick to it. 3. Troy, had the decoy with me but did not use it once I moved to the SWA. Just have to wait until next year now. 4/ Bowbird. yea, eye to eye. We do most of our hunting that way, here in Colorado so I am use to it. 5. Thanks Mike. A tarpon on the fly rod is on my bucket list.
As always....Nicely done!
Good stuff buddy! Read this to Russell this morning and he enjoyed
Another great hunt story Paul. Just maybe you could have had a new truck but on the other hand you might also have gotten free room and board for a few years with no bowhunting! :)
Steve, you better get a tag for the MD buck that is visiting your property.
Will, Russell is a stud muffin.
Dwayne, Can you imagine that. Especially if it was in Mexico. Maybe Trump would bail me out.
my best, Paul
I really enjoyed your pictures and story of the hunt. Congratulations on a successful hunt!
Thanks Russell, I know there are bigger bucks around but probably not as good eating. The tenderloins were wonderful. Hope you are doing well this season in my second favorite place to hunt.
my best, Paul
Nice deer and story, there is a lot of nice country out there that I never seen have to go for a tour south of the boarder one day. Thanks for sharing.
Alexis, you have some great deer where you live but I have gone to Mexico to hunt them. ie, south of the boarder. Paul