Crusader dad. Live hunt thread
Wisconsin
Contributors to this thread:
It was fun for me to be able to look back at my season last year on here so I'm going to document my season on here again this year. Honestly I wish more of the Wisconsin hunters would do this. For those who don't know my history, my name is Shane and I'm a huntaholic. I live in SE WI and hunt a small urban area near my house. I also hunt a large area of farmland in the middle of the state.
I'm finally hunting! This is officially the latest start to my season ever. It's the first cold morning we've had here. Slight W wind. I'm sitting on the ground in the SE corner of a small green field. The thick stuff directly in front of me is a known buck bedding area.
How do I flip the picture?
Got out here late. Probably not situated until 6:45. Goal was 6. Oh well....still better than work.
Looks like the photo tools are gone
SE Corner of small green field.
SE Corner of small green field.
One more try
One more try
Good luck Shane. Hopefully, this is your pic rotated.
Took 2 tries not sure why.
I can't find photo tools either. Will check out thread on BGF to see if anything is noted there.
Thanks for bringing us along. Especially,since some of us are stuck at work. Good luck. I sat yesterday morning and got soaked. Did manage to see a doe and fawn. Once the rain stopped, I headed back out for the evening. Saw 1 tail and heard something in the standing corn. Funny thing was, I saw more deer while driving around during the day. A couple bedded under cedars right next to the road and some others in someone's yard, which is directly across from a lush food plot.
Glad you're doing this again, really enjoyed following along last season. Good luck!
Thank you happy, I was getting a head rush being upside down that long. Duty/work calls so I'm outta here. One doe at 92 yds. Not even close enough for a pic but I got the skunk out of the bag right away! What a beautiful morning, I sure wish I could sit a little longer.
Jeez Shane! It's about time! Good luck out there this year.
Neat idea Shane - to record & post your season. I look forward to living your season vicariously through your posts. Hope you do well.
I finally have more than two minutes so I'll update my hunt. I got out after work one evening last week. I was planning on hunting from the ground like I normally do in my spot down here but on the way in I found a hang on in a tree on the edge of "Farmco".(the ten acre field that is connected but separate from the other 40 that I hunt). I figured it hunt the stand and then take it down since its on private property and the landowner doesn't want any stands put up. It was obviously set up by a trespasser so I figured I'd leave the setup at the base of the tree with a note letting the owner of the stand know he's not allowed there and if I find him out there I'll tell the landowner.
I didn't see much until about the last 45 min. A nice big doe came out right from the spot I had hunted that morning. About 200 yds from me. She stayed there until dark and nothing else came out. I decide to see just how close I could get to her. I left my stuff at the base of the tree and walked to within about 60 yds. Then crawled to within 15 yds. She knew I was there but wasn't overly alarmed by me. A very soft bahhhh by me and she came within 8 yds before realizing I wasn't a deer. Pretty cool encounter!
I returned to the hang on stand and took it down, left a note so hopefully whoever was out there gets the hint. I did tell the landowner I found it and he told me I should keep it. I don't want to cause any trouble so it's going to stay where it's at for now.
I'll be out in the morning before work and I'm planning on going to the sanctuary to sit roughly the same spot I shot my buck last year.
Good stuff. How's the sign out there? Anything popping out yet?
I made a scrape but haven't checked it yet to see if anything beside me has pissed in it. I found one fresh rub(small). I haven't been on most of the property yet this year. When I'm done hunting tomorrow morning I'll go on a recon mission to see what's really out there this year. The owners been seeing quite a few deer frequenting the sanctuary but no definitive antlers yet.
I'm sure you'll put something down there again. I'll let you know if I see anything good as I drive by. Last year I think I saw that buck you shot over. Been seeing a lot of deer to the east as I'm sure you've too.
Yes noc, the area to the east seems like it has more deer but it's close enough to me that the Bucks will still make pass thrues in my area. I'm friends with one of the cops that sits at that parking area just north of me on 32 and he said he's been seeing a big one cross the road but it's always between midnight and 2 am. He also said the number of drunks on that stretch of road is reduculous at night so be wary over that way. He averages 3 dui's a week right there by himself and said he could probably get one per hour if he really tried.
Missed this earlier. Good luck.
Well, here it is! The Sunday before Halloween weekend, 4 am and I can't wait to get out to my spot. I walked the property yesterday after work and found 3 big rubs and a fresh scrape located in a small (maybe 2acre) wood lot that is basically the exact middle of the property. I call the area shumans swamp, even though it would take a lot of rain to actually have standing water in it. My plan is to get in early. Like 5 am. I'll be sitting on the ground in my lucky red chair. The wind is steady from the west at a calm 5 mph. It feels like it's going to be a great morning. With my vacation coming next wee thru the first week of nov. if I shoot today, it's going to have to be a big one. My self imposed limit is 8 points and outside the ears but today, I will not draw on anything unless I think it will make p&y. I'll have my phone out in hopes of at least shooting one with my camera!
The buildings in the pic are indoor horse arenas. The conservancy is directly to the north and my "Farmco" area is one field over to the east.
I'm sitting under the white scent cone in the pic, shooting into the woods. My wind is perfect for this setup.
Note to self, get out early and trim entrance trails you dumb elephant!
Have a great hunt! Be safe and BBD!
Have a great sit! Looking forward to some pics of the ones you passed up.
Group of five doe just came thru. 65 yds out.
Nothing but the five ladies this morning. About ten min after the does came thru, I heard leaves rustling and thought I saw antlers moving on the same trail but It turned out to be a squirrel. They sure do get the heart racing!
Nice looking property . I might have to come visit ya , but I can only stay for a month or so . Hope you shoot the big one .
I'm back in the first spot I sat this year. "Farmco" field. There is currently a single deer feeding about 80 yds out. It's way too dark to see what it is yet but the wind is perfect so I know it won't smell me. My boy and I leave after church this Sunday for our week long rut hunt so in order for me to shoot this morn it's again going to have to be close to p&y.
Another deer just came out and harassed the first one enough to get it to run away. The first deer I'm guessing was a doe and the second I know was a buck because it was grunting. Where there was one deer, then two, there are now zero. Still too dark to see much.
Using calls or scents this morning?
No scents but now that it's light enough I just did a rattle/grunt sequence.
Good luck out there! Beautiful morning isn't it?! Hope some grunting happens by me too!
After golfing 27 holes walking, poker at night and way too much beer I didn't get out of bed early enough to hunt this morning. I did however take a quick walk out to my spot at around 7 am and found 2 rubs that were not there yesterday in the am. I should have skipped the beer during golf and hunted last evening.
The boy and I are leaving for Fairchild this Sunday right from church. I CANT WAIT!! We should be up there in time to hunt Sunday evening. If there are any bowsighters around black river falls area next week shoot me a pm if you want to meet up for lunch/beer. I might even be willing to let someone hunt the land for a day or so.
Ohhh yeah! Today's the day! Leaving from church in less than three hours. (I hope pastor keeps his sermon short today).
My son Collin is shooting a bear apprentice set to 45 lbs. Easton bow hunter carbon arrows and QAD 100 gr broad heads. He's extended his range to 25 yds max this year and is hoping for his first shot at any deer. He was unsuccessful last year.
I am shooting an old Martin set to 72 lbs. I arrowed a decent buck last year so now I'm looking to improve on that. I'll also be looking for a doe. It's been about 7-8 years since I killed one up there and we have plenty of them.
I feel like a kid on Christmas morning!!!
In the pic posted here, I will be in the one night stand on the far right. Collin will be in the "new pines" stand just northwest of me on the right side of the road that connects the two fields. This area is historically my best buck area, even though my stand is only 150yds from a busy highway and right across the highway from me is the fire dep building.
My son turned a 238 yd stalk into a just miss low. As we were arriving we made a big circle around the main farms and noticed a deer feeding in a half cut cornfield. We jumped out of the car, threw on our camo jackets and Collin grabbed his bow. Off we went. We got to 27 yds and she finally spotted us. Ten min later we were only two yds closer. She turned, he drew. His shot was perfect left and right but about two inches below her. I'm happy for a clean miss and it was a pretty cool start to the trip. I never thought we'd be stalking a deer in blue jeans and sneakers.
We are in stand now. Collin chose the one night stand so I am in the new pines.
Rush, yes.
Two deer seen tonight. Neither was close. Both does. Both in the one spot my wind was too. I've never heard a more pissed off doe. I really think they wanted to come my way. I blame Pete and his stupid tarsal scent.
We will be hunting a different area tomorrow and using the same dumb scent. At least we have something to blame our failure on!!!
In our spots now. I'm on the ground in the corn where the blue dot is. Collin is NE of me in the two man and my bil took the valley stand that you see at the top of the pic.
I feel like shit. Still dizzy from too much beer. Sleep at 2 and up at four sucks.
Self infliction at its finest. Lol. Your in some open country out there.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that still does stupid stuff like that. Hey.....Shane....remember that time in the alley before school during one of the first delayed starts at McKinley? I think half the class puked in the hall.
So sitting on the ground....what's your set up? Just using a stool or are you more brushed in?
The first pic is this mornings view and the second is my view right now.
The first pic is this mornings view and the second is my view right now.
Well, got in late this aft. We did quite a bit of scouting today and took a long walk on the public land. Clark co. Lots of fresh scrapes.
No deer seen by Collin or I this morning. This aft I am in the point and Collin is in whitey's stand. It's windy and warm. I passed two scrapes coming in and pissed in one and put a couple drops of tarsal scent in the other. I also put a couple drops on my boot bottoms. I don't think rattling or grunting will do much good today.
Sat photo of tonight's spots.
Sat photo of tonight's spots.
Casey, yes I remember my days at McKinley fondly!
This morn I was just sitting on my little folding chair with my back against the corn. My front was covered up to around knee height.
I'm back in the new pine stand. It's actually a climber set permanently in a pine tree. It leans forward just enough to make the sit a bit uncomfortable. Collin is sleeping in this morning so I'll sit till 11. Then we are going to hang a new stand in the buck funnel. It's a very long walk but Collin is very exited about that spot. There are no less than 6 fresh scrapes within 60 yds if where his stand will be. And the size of the rubs is amazing. It's breezy and warm.
Neither of us saw a single deer yesterday. That is the very first time I've been completely skunked for an entire day up here.
All quiet so far but it's been a beautiful morning. The sunrise was spectacular.
My cell reception has been spotty at best so it's been hard to post. Yesterday morning I saw three late. Too far away to even know what they were. Yesterday evening I hunted Tracy's stand on the right side of the pic and Collin was in the buck funnel on the left. Three bucks chased a doe down the property line around 4. Around 4:20 a 140 ish shooter took the same trail. 5 min later a smaller 6 went by. All were right on the property line. 60 yds away. 5:30 a spike came in and stayed right under my stand until dark. I got video of him pissing on his tarsals. He gave me no less than 20 different shot opportunity. I sure wish my son had sat there.
Colin saw one decent buck, too far for him to shoot. He also had three Amish kids playing within range but they aren't in season right now;-) he said when they finally saw him it scared the shit out of them.
This morning was a bust for both of us. I heard a buck rubbing and grunting before light about 70 yds away but never did see him and Collin had a coyote running rampant for the first hour of light. No shot
Tonight we are going to try a brand new area. Some big bluffs with only a few ag fields. On our drive home last night from my bro in laws there were no less than 30 deer in one field on that property. I've had this guys number and met him a few times over the years but never asked to hunt. I just called him and talked him into sole bowhunting rights for the bluffs!! We just added another 240 acres to our access!! Nobody's even walked in that land in a few years. He doesn't allow any gun hunting near his land.
The view from my stand last night
This new spot is primo!!! Huge bluffs with connecting valleys all funneling to a few small ag fields. Rubs galore. Big ones. Counted 16 scrapes in our 40 min walk and well over 100 rubs. My son found a nice big shed too!
Can I say I'm a bit jealous! Finding a nice shed in Nov that's awesome. That is a great sign! You definitely scored a great piece to hunt
I'm in. Ground and pound at least for today and tomorrow morning. I may run out at lunch at grab a climber to use Tomorrow night and Friday. I'm sitting the field edge at the bottom of the rub line. I dearly want to be back in the bluffs but the wind is kind of janky and I don't want to screw stuff up right away. I think the buck that owns that she'd is still around. This is one of the last rubs along the line before entering the corner of the field. Collin took tinight off to go with his grandparents. He will be sitting with his back to a tree at the end of a ridge that drops into two small valleys. It is truly one of the coolest hunting spots I've ever seen. I will be up on a grassy plateu across one of his valleys. Maybe 100 yds from him. I'll post those spots tomorrow.
As far as the shed goes, that was found 75 yds from where I'm sitting ten yds from the big rub. I've always wanted to and I've tried real hard but I've never found a shed before. I was leading the way and walked right over it. He was looking down at the tracks and I was looking forward at the rub. He was very excited and I'm sure happy he found it fair and square.
It is so quiet out here I can hear them chasing around the hills. I have pete's scent out but I don't know if it will be enough to do the trick. This wind is calm and swirling. The spike that came in last night had his nose stuck right where I put the scent though so it must work a little at least.
I'm at it myself. Nothing yet! Good luck! Any minute a hot doe or cruiser can walk by. Ass-time trumps all other tricks in my opinion. I have not used any scent yet, and I must say, I haven't offended a deer where they run or blow in over a month, and I hunt almost every day of the season.
This is pretty excitinf that you have new, fresh acres to hunt.
Awesome finding those sheds with little man. My 9 year old daughter wants to go hunting on Veterans Day. Im lookimg forward to that more than seeing a deer.
Tweed, keep her tagging along. Short sits are better for the younger ones. Collins been tagging along with me since he was 6. We started out with 1 hour sits. We made a pact last night that every year we will hunt together no matter where life takes us!! His suggestion! Get them addicted early so they are hooked for life.
Last night I saw my first buck fight. As quiet as it was they were loud as all get out. Really going at it hard for about 35 sec. The winner chased the loser the opposite direction of me. That fight scared the deer that were around me away and the rest of the evening was nothing. From 4 pm on I could hear chasing and grunting in the bluffs.
We are in the bluffs this morn. I jumped a deer getting to my spot but we can hear them running all around. It's inly a matter of time before one comes by us. Did I mention how AWSOME this spot is?
I hit the casino for $700 last night so I'm going to get a climber for my son. Price is not an issue since the generous ho chunk nation is paying for it. If anyone has a suggestion for a good quiet easy to use climber pm me before 11 please. Remember it's for a 13 yr old. Thx
He brought his lucky antler with this morning:-)
He brought his lucky antler with this morning:-)
We moved a little closer to this valley where all the action has been. Collins sitting with me now. I saw a true giant about 15 min ago. Seen 11 deer so far. 7 bucks, 3 definite shooters and one was iffy.
Good luck to you both! Sounds like things are heating up. Having a hard time concentrating at work when I really want to be out in the stand, lol.
Get em Shane! More so rooting for your son! Good things should come with all the action you've had. Good luck!
I think you'll get a chance today... sounds like one of those magical days in the woods...post pics when you do connect!
My view tonight
My view tonight
I've been back in since 11:30, stepped out to run collin back to the house and grab a couple slices of pizza. He will be back out around 2. He's going to sit the water hole. It's the only water in the entire area. He'll be sitting that stand all day tomorrow and sat morn if that's what it takes.
I'm in a convergence of three valleys that funnel down into a standing cornfield. today just feels like it's going to be the day.
This sure is a different way of hunting from what I'm used to. Swirling winds and a strenuous walk in.
Trapper, thx for the suggestion. My mil is in eau Clair picking up the climber you suggested.
Noc, I'm definitely rooting for Collin more than myself! Eventually he will get it done but I sure hope it happens sooner rather than later.
Collin will be at the stand at the top of the pic and I'm about a mile away at the bottom of the pic.
Collin will be at the stand at the top of the pic and I'm about a mile away at the bottom of the pic.
One things for sure. If I kill something it's going to be the hardest drag I've ever had
View from Collins stand, sorry it's sideways but still no photo edit option.
View from Collins stand, sorry it's sideways but still no photo edit option.
I saw quite a few deer cruising in the morning yesterday. It was one of my coolest days on stand. One truly giant buck in the morning and a couple other shooters. Afternoon was slower with only three deer sighted and no bucks. Around 5 pm I noticed something black about 150 yds away. Heading my direction. A bear! He came from 150 all the way to 30 yds. Right at me. I thought he was going to walk on me. Ended up turning to go up the hill behind me. It was pretty exciting being 30 yds from a bear while hunting from the ground. I've always wanted to see a bear while hunting but that was a little closer than I was hoping.
Collin was covered in deer from 4:30 to close. Every time he would think he could draw on one deer another would be looking at him. He got busted trying to draw twice on doe and didn't see the other deer. At close, my bear came in to him and busted everything out of there. His quote when we got to the car was "dad, I still can't stop shaking!" We are back in the same spots and going to sit all day today.
The wind was far too janky for my valley. I'm now sitting in an abandoned tree stand on a ridge top. It's one of the highest tops around and has much thicker ground cover than most of the others. The wind is much more consistent. Not as much in my favor as I'd like but not as bad as the valley.
Right smack in the middle of the property.
Right smack in the middle of the property.
He used it last night and all day so far! He's bored but comfy and safe.
Very slow this aft. I killed a doe at last light. No buck behind her. 15 yd shot. Top of heart and both lungs. She made it 75 yds down the wrong side of the hill. That drag was a bitch! Collin sat all day to see nothing. Poor guy. We have tomorrow morning and that's it for our vacation
Collin ad I are both hunting the same ridgetop I shot my die last night. One last chance. We are hunting until 8:30. Then it's skin and quarter my deer. Give some to family up here and go back home. I miss my dogs. The wife.... Not so much;-)
Last nights doe is all cleaned up! No deer this morn but we did see two nice bucks square off as we walked out.
I'm back in the saddle again! SE wi urban area. Farmco field. I've got some good buck sign in this area, just don't have any idea what time of day/night they are coming through.
Good luck! I'm out myself.
Good luck, men! Keep us posted!
6:50. 4 big ones chased a doe ten yds behind us. Biggest was a main frame 10 maybe goes 140. We couldn't get turned around for the shot. Ten sec later, out comes a young 7 pt. 6 yds quartering away. Collin draws settles,,,,,,, THWACK! He's a goner! 6 yd shot, 40 yd recovery and the boys got his first buck!!!! Pics will follow but my phones almost dead.
Congrats to Collin! Great to read of your hunting adventures. Hope your wife doesn't seen your comment about missing your dog more than her.
Man!!! Pumped for you both! Can't wait to see
He will remember this for a LOOOONG time
Congrats to the two of you!!!! Looking forward to the photos and the smiles!!
This is the only pic we got right at the recovery, then my phone died. Poor Collin, he's at school now and it's going to be too warm to let this guy hang all day. I'll clean him up and at save doing the euro for this aft when Collin gets home from school to help with that. We will get a few more pics at that time.
His arrow entered just behind the back rib. Sliced the gut, took out left lung completely and buried in the heart! It was a 40 yd blood trail even a blind man could follow! We did watch him crash and if I wasn't so excited to post it on here I'd have had enough battery left for a couple hero pics of him.
FYI. He still had the shakes when I dropped him off at school. He said he can't wait to tell all his liberal girlfriends about it! First they're crying about Hillary and now they'll all be crying about Bambi!
Congratulations Collin and dad! Got to experience similar myself this season. Awesome!
It's my turn now, I'm back in Farmco field about 50 yds south of yesterday. I'm hoping that hot doe is still around. I know this is her core area. I'd be very happy with any one of the other four bucks we saw yesterday.
Taking days off or just around work?
Just hunting before work. I'll hunt every morning I can from now till the end of the season and a few evenings.
I had two does follow the same trail as all of the deer yesterday, followed by a nice half rack 4 point. Good mass all the way out on the left side. Broken off clean on the right side. If he stays around I'd shoot him last week of the season or just hope he doesn't break next year cause he'll be a really good one. None of the four big ones I saw yesterday showed up today. Good hunt none the less.
I'm back at it again today. Same spot as the last few days. This spot and being on the ground is very convenient to play the wind. I can just tweak where I'm sitting a little bit and be fine. I was debating on moving into the conservancy but I've been seeing plenty of deer here so I figure I'll save the conservancy for when I wear this area out.
We had the same half rack with a doe t 6:50 this morn. The LO texted me and said he watched a good buck fight in the outdoor horse arena this morning.
Crusader got my finger's crossed you shoot the big one . Good luck .
Well, I almost killed a tree! I am sitting in the small island of woods in the middle of the property. Just to the west of me is the outdoor arena the LO watched to good bucks fighting in the other morning. 6:35 I hear a soft grunt. I prepare myself because I just know a big ones coming. Sure enough he enters the woods and I can tell right away I want him. He's at 60 yds then 50,40,30. Straight out in front of me broadside just walking slowly thru the island. I know he's not going to get any closer and in ten more steps I'll lose my chance. I draw, settle, bahhhh, release and promptly shoot a tree ten yards in front of me. He jumped and then just walked off. I think I can still hear him laughing at me. A nice clean 9 point. Bigger than last years buck but not the biggest I've seen around here. I'd have sure been delighted with him though. I'm going to give it another 20 min then I have to get to work. I think this is why we call it hunting and not killing. Maybe I'll cut out the shattered part of the tree and that will be today's trophy.
Oh that sucks! How did the arrow fair and broadhead fair?
I was able to unscrew the arrow from the tree. Broadhead is going to be a permanent fixture in the tree. The arrow looked to be fine. The way I'm looking at it is I still have a lot of season left and this was the 8 th different buck (I think) that I've seen in this general area. He was headed toward the direction of my Farmco field. I'm going to hunt the conservancy tonight. Collin will be with to video. I'm definitely disappointed though. He was a really nice buck. Not a giant but still really nice. I guess it just wasn't meant to be yet.
Blanked for the evening. We did see a rabbit. And I think I heard a cat meow. Nice sunset though.
Sick with it! I always know that things happen for a reason. The miss wasn't a miss, because that tree jumped out in front of you...to save that deer for next year, and give you a better opportunity.
I'm back at it again. Conservancy. A 30 min pre dawn conversation with the land owner got me in here at 6:10 instead of 5:40 like I was hoping. It's a very calm morning here in the SE part of the state. FYI, if another tree jumps in front of me today I'm bringing my chainsaw!
I'm happy to report that no trees were shot during this mornings hunt! No deer seen either. I think I'm going to go golfing one last time after I get a few small projects done today.
After a few days off its sure nice to be back at it! I have a brand new Addison arrow on the rest. My wife bought me a contraption that mounts on the front of my bow and holds my cell phone so I can try to get a shot on video.
I'm back in Farmco field. I've seen the most consistent activity over here. I'm sitting on the ground again maybe 7 yds from what looks like their most well used trail. My hopes are not too high but the weather and wind is absolutely ideal.
Well, I've been out here again for a while now. Same spot as yesterday. It is perfect deer hunting weather! Cold,clear, and calm. I just had a cardinal land about two feet from me. I saw nothing last night.
I have been contemplating something, I typically use rage chisel tips. I'm happy with them and would prefer not to switch. Do to the fact that I can only hunt from the ground on this land, I'm thinking to a coc head at least for certain spots. The reason is unless I'm standing to shoot I may have to shoot through the tall weeds and I'm concerned that the rage will catch on them causing a major deflection. A coc should be able to easily get through the weeds to my target.
Nice spot. How far are the trees on the other side of the clearing? Is that the power plant steam in the background? Steam is going straight up. Very still this morning.
That would be a good idea to switch heads. I prefer fixed heads myself. The view looks good with the PP in the background. :)
This pic is this morning, it was beautiful out there.
This pic is this morning, it was beautiful out there.
I saw nothing this morning. Actually, I've been skunked since I shot the tree last week.
The trees are about 100 yds away. It is very very thick to th right of me and the hayfield is on the left. The crp is about 50 yds wide by 200 yds long. The small clump of trees I'm in creates the perfect ground blind and if I have time there is enough overhead room to stand for a shot. That pic was taken yesterday afternoon. It was very calm last night and this morning.
I think I'm going to take my target out there and run some tests. I'll use my sons exodus heads and my rage and compare. I'm concerned about sight adjustment between the two heads. My rage fly perfectly out of my setup. Even though they are the same weight I'm concerned the coc will fly differently and I don't want to switch completely. I'd like to stick with rage when possible.
What???? Did someone say golfing on nov 22??? In Wisconsin??? That's just crazy. Unless your name is Shane and you enjoy having an entire golf course to yourself. LC, this round was for you! Good hunting fellas!
Good morning and happy thanksgiving! It's 4:52 am and I'm heading out in about ten min for a morning bow hunt. I'll be sitting in some cat tails on the Eastern edge of a tree line I call the magic corner. I'll be looking west into the tree line with a flooded marsh behind me. I haven't hunted this tree line yet but I want a little change of scenery. I will be on the far western edge of the Farmco field at roughly the dot on the bottom of the pic. I've been concentrating most of my efforts on the far Eastern side of this area maybe 400 yds from where I'll be today.
One year ago today I shot my best buck so I can't help but have high hopes!
My son Collin is in Vegas with my mom and cousins for the weekend so I'm on my own today.
I'm in, been here and set up for about 30 min now. I found a spot that's 20 yds to the tree line in some reeds. most of them are only about shoulder height so I'm a little more exposed than I'd like to be. I have about a ten yd window to shoot if a deer walks the middle of the tree line. The difficult part is going to be drawing without detection. Oooooh, if only I had a crossbow to make it easier;-)
The strangest thing happened about ten min into my sit, still very dark and the wind is perfect for where I'm sitting. About 40 yds north of me a deer blew twice. No wa it smelled me and I was very quiet getting in. I was able to walk the edge of the marsh coming in from the south. I just have no idea if the deer blew at me or something else. I did not hear it run away but then again, everything is wet so movement will be hard to hear.
So, the broad head conundrum, I shot the exodus through the weeds yesterday. They easily punche thru what I needed them to out to 25 yds. Standing shots they were very accurate out to 50. So I now have a coc and my rage in the quiver. I have to admit that the coc averaged about 4 1/2 more inches of penetration in my block target. That would most likely mean the difference between a total pass thru and not on an animal. The rages deflected badly as expected when shot through the weeds. Every one opened up prior to impacting the target. Making my group go from 2 inches at 15 yds to about 8. If I couple that with a poor shot it could cause me a lot of grief. I think I will choose the coc for any big game and obviously when I'm in the weeds. The rage will still be my go to head whenever possible.
So, I've been claiming the ripe old age of 34 for about a week now but today it's official. Happy b-day to me! After a 14 hour day grinding a cement floor yesterday I'm treating myself to a birthday bowhunt. I'm so sore from work it's going to be tough to draw my bow. Another time a crossbow would make things "easier".
Since Collin is still in Vegas I'm sure he won't mind if I borrow his new climber. I'm going to hunt the same tee line I was in 2 days ago, just not sure which tree yet. After my hunt the other day I walked the trail that goes through the trees and found some really good sign of a big buck. If today doesn't pan out I will start concentrating my efforts in the conservancy part of the property. Well, it's 4:50, time to get dressed and head out.
Good luck man and Happy Birthday to you. I'll be out for a morning hunt myself. Dressed with my orange vest and carrying my bow.
I'm finally set up, as I was climbing I had a buck come in grunting. He got to around 15 yds before he realized I was neither his rival nor his lover. I'm sure he's long gone but hoping he'll come back. I did have high hopes but they've dwindled a little bit now.
I just had a family group of does come in. They ended up crossing the field and going right past where I've been sitting on the east side of Farmco.
Lol aint that the way it goes
Nothing else seen. i think those does may have caught a whiff of me because it looked like they were heading right for my tree. They didn't spook or blow at me, just changed direction. I would have only shot them with my camera anyway. Well I've got a couple small projects to do and then it's time for a bunch of coors.
$120 speeding ticket later and I got home from picking my son and mom up from the airport just in time to get dressed and get out here. I'm going to add the speeding ticket to my hunting expense account because that's why I was in a hurry. I did make it out here and set up by 6:12. Not where I wanted to be but it's the spot with easiest and fastest entrance. It's cold, relatively calm, and actually kind of foggy. I'm only going to sit until 7:30 so hopefully something happens early.
I have been hunting mornings with no luck. I'm out here again now for an evening sit. I'd normally be about 50 yds to the south of where I'm sitting but it's flooded. I should still be good to go if something takes the same trail but if something is bedded in the reeds behind me they definitely know I'm here because that's right where my scent is going. It's actually pretty nice out. Small pockets of very light drizzle and a calm wind from the west. Got about an hour till dark so hoping for the best.
How did the evening pan out?
Nothing again but I'll be back at it in the morning. Looking forward to snow if it ever gets here. My current customer is retired and won't let me start till 9 am so I've been hunting until 8.
I spoke with my landowner tonight and he said the guy that owns shooters (The gun/bow shop bordering my Farmco area) called him and asked about a guy driving a silver pick up into the field to get a buck the other evening. I drive a black Santa Fe and haven't been hunting evenings. The owner knows my car because I park in that lot when I hunt Farmco. That's why he called the LO because when I asked permission to park there I told him that I was the only hunter and he wanted to just let the LO know. We suspect it may have been the owner of the treestand I found on the edge of the property early season. Whoever it was is pretty damn bold especially considering the fact that a lot of police shoot/hang out there.
Wow! So sounds like a poached deer? I know Bernie well. He's a great guy. And that is extremely bold for sure. Maybe explains why you haven't seen bucks in awhile. Last year you were on them at this time..
I'm on the island today. Same woods I shot the tree a few weeks ago. There is some flooding in here and I may have to adjust my spot a bit once I can see better. The wind is perfect and it should start snowing any minute. It will be a beautiful morning whether I see a deer or not. I did see a nice buck in the field when I pulled in on Friday so hopefully he comes past me this morning.
A great idea just came to mind! With the doe hunt this weekend I'm on break starting Thursday until Monday. My wife has no idea about the hunt and the fact that I can't hunt because of it. It's her birthday this weekend so I'm just going to tell her I'm not hunting because I want to spend the extra time with her!! Diabolical..yes. Genius.....definitely
I will probably go tomorrow morning before work and then hit it hard again starting on Monday until the end of the season.
Trapper, believe it or not, your not the first guy to ask me for my wife's #. I definitely married above my pay grade.
Holy cow it's windy and I'm freezing my ass off. Definitely under dressed this morning. This last hour is going to be brutal.
Lol noc, I have been meaning to throw an update on here but I've had no action to speak of. I sat the conservancy the last few times I was out and one morning last week pulling into my parking spot I saw a dandy buck feeding in the field in my headlights. Yesterday Morning I thought I caught a glimpse of a deer but not even enough to confirm it was actually a deer.
I sat the ne corner of Farmco yesterday evening and although there were multiple sets of fresh tracks in the area nothing came out before dark. It was one of those nights where I could have sat all night as light as it was with the moon and the snow.
I am not out today because I have a bunch of paperwork to catch up on that I've been neglecting. (The worst part of my job)
This pic is my view last night and the in the sat photo I was in the spot on the far right, backed up against the pond.
Doing any scouting for fresh tracks in the snow?
Stay warm man.
What can I say? Bumping the better threads. We've got some bitter cold weather ahead of us. That will get them on their feet early!
After a fun night of drunken sledding with family I am out for a sit this morning. NE corner of the main field directly across from the conservancy. I'm hoping for an encounter of any kind. If that doesn't happen that's fine. It's warm, calm and generally speaking perfect. The coyotes are going berserk right now but they are a long way off.
I do have a Christmas confession. I asked for a trail cam from my mom and my wife so I can try and see what's actually out here roaming the horse farm. I've always been one that likes the anticipation of not really knowing what's around but my curiosity has gotten the best of me.
Merry Christmas to all!
Goodluck Cd, i am envious you can get out today and enjoy.
Crusader dad good luck. I start my hunt 26th.
The cam is set up just on the other side of the trees in this picture. I'd call this more of a deer highway then a deer trail.
The cam is set up just on the other side of the trees in this picture. I'd call this more of a deer highway then a deer trail.
Mrs. Clause was pretty good to me. I got a nice moultrie cam and ran out and set it up yesterday. I put it on the most heavily used trail that I found which happens to be the ne section of Farmco. I'm going to give it a 48 hr "soak" and go see what came through. I'll hunt that corner tomorrow morn and switch cards when I'm done.
After all these years my fam has figured me out to a tee! It was a great Christmas for me and I hope yours was as well.
Someone's spoiled . Hope ya have a great New Year .
I'm shutting things down for the season at 8:15 this morning. This is my last hunt of the year. With temps predicted to drop drastically I'm going to call it quits.
It's foggy and wet this morning. I'm on the s side of the island this morn. This is the same area that I shot the tree in nov when I missed the 9 point. Most of it is completely flooded so unless they walk around the island they must come past me. I still haven't been seeing any deer at all but all it takes is that magical few seconds.
This will be my last post on this thread unless I shoot. Thank you for all the kind words throughout the season. I'm already looking forward to next year.
Hope you see something.
Deer aren't afraid of water like we are. Maybe taking a different path?
I somewhat do not agree with Tweed on this,,,,,, I am hunting a spot of swamp in my area,,,,, with the wet areas flooded and frozen, without good snow, the deer alter their movement, they do not like walking on ice, with them hooves any more that we do,,,,,,
this is evident yesterday, looking over a spot, I am familiar with,,,, the snow shows the deer made a big swing, so they could stay on better ground...... I spotted a big willow that is broken down, and I was able to get about 10 feet up that tree, by walking up on the roots and branches and cut out a good sitting spot........
I am waiting for this cold weather this week, it will get them deer, up and moving to feed, earlier now, hopefully during shooting hours..... wind will be light so hunting should be good.........
my last week here, before I head back up to the UP, to fish and trap
Razor you have decades upon decades of experience on me. If the deer senses a human is near the same spot on dry land wouldn't they rather go through wetlands? You've seen thousands more deer than I have but I've probably have seen more deer in ankle to knee high water then anywhere else (I don't hunt ag land)
I don't think deer have any issue at all with going through open water but I am with Razor, they will avoid ice if possible.
Tweed, maybe I misread your post.... water is the deer best friend, they walk in it, swim it, hide it etc,,,,, my point was late season, their routes change since they do not like ice, and will avoid it, if possible.........
Crusader, Don't say its true! Cold weather coming this week, that is your best friend. Go out there and kill a Slob! Or maybe a doe, whatever you wish.. I wait the whole season for this week! Only 4 more days, YOU CAN DO IT!
They definitely avoid the ice. They don't mind walking through the middle of the island when it's flooded but once it freezes they go around it. I'm not allowed to kill doe on this property and don't have a valid doe tag left so that's out of the question. I haven't seen a live deer out here since nov 26 so I'm a little disheartened with the whole thing. I hunted smart for this small property, playing the wind perfectly and rarely sat the same spot twice in a row. I saw at least 9 different bucks during the rut. Plus the one my son killed but I have no idea where they've gone. I think they're completely nocturnal right now. I'm not going to wash and put away the gear yet but I don't plan on going back out. I'd keep trying but I HATE the super cold weather so unless it warms up a little on sat or sun this was it. It was a fun season and all I can do is hope to get it done earlier next year. I have had bunnies in range the last five sits out there so I may hunt them on warmish mornings. I didn't want to shoot now for fear I'd scare away a deer that might be coming in. I did at least draw on one this morn and yesterday. I also had five squirrels in range in my backyard yesterday but a few comments on another thread made me no longer want to try and eat one.
Come up here and hunt. We have till the end of the month.