Flew in from Ft Lauderdale late last night, was 82° there, and it's 42° here...but I'd chose here everyday. Haven't had time to put out many cameras, and zero scouting, just going in cold. Set up tonight S of Argonia in a spot we've been to many times before. Brought the Boss, he's at 20yds, let the games begin!
Had a doe swing by a bit ago, and a spike, saw two other does moving back in the timber too. Pin drop quiet here now that the wind laid down.
Nothing else tonight, left my coat at the truck like an idiot...it got chilly! Good to be back out-of-doors again though.
Good luck boys & girls, best time of the year.
Good luck!!
Thanks gentlemen, even you Dave ;)
I'm getting ready to hike into my spot W of Caldwell, no service in there usually so I'll recap later. The wheat was coming up decently when Mike and I were here fixing a stand a couple weeks ago. He's now disked it again and re-seeded, I have a hard time figuring out the leasee's farming practices but it is what it is.
Pretty windy, gusting over 25 here out of the S, hoping it lays down a bit towards dark...
Had a herd of cows stand at neighbors fence staring and bawling at the decoy for the last hour...not awesome. Found a scrape on the way out and I put a camera on that.
Back out this morning, near Argonia again, travel route paralleling a creek. Brought the HUD today, have had some neat encounters with it here before...let's see what cometh.
It's too quiet yet, need the wind to pick up a bit. This little guy snuck in behind me and was working over a bush...but didn't want to get very close to the decoy.
Thanks man, same ol'stuff different dates. I'm 1 for 4 rattling if I count this guy as a 1. He was following a couple does but I pulled him away.
He didn't see the decoy and headed on to the East.
Right after the little 6 moved off I heard something running in behind me.
It's a young doe and he's on her trail. She came and checked out the decoy, while he did a half-ass snort-wheeze but didn't want to get close.
So he beds down, and she circles the decoy a few times and then comes and stands 3yds from me. In the distance I could hear another buck grunting...a lot...and I heard him walk in behind me as well.
It was a "stand off" for 20min, none of them moved, and then she walked off to the West, bedded buck went South, and the buck behind me must have gone back East...never saw him.
And this is why we hunt.
Lmao, I’m a gator fan bud, at this point I’m just numb to football.
Kinda planned for the time change this morning, the heavy fog...not so much. Nonetheless I'm here and set up in an old familiar place, go.
Rattled in four trash pandas, and a pair of spikes...does that count?
Good luck out West, enjoy the time w/family!
Almost 9am now, ain't seen a thing since the spikes
Nothing else, out.
Thanks Brian, just got setup here near Caldwell and already had a small broken up 8 come by. No pics, caught me off guard.
Had left the decoy here the other night so I've got him set about 25yds N of me. There's good wheat behind me, and there's been a bunch of does using it. Hope to catch one causing/seeking, and I swear I can smell tarsal gland coming from the bedding area across from me...yes I showered.
Have three fawns out on wheat to my S, had another forky come through and saw the broken 8 again awhile back
Nada. Could have had the Boss laying on his side tonight, wouldn't have mattered.
If they came from the W, they'd circle downwind and be between myself and the decoy. Those are the two main entrances to this field, but even coming from the E they'd circle behind.
This is a very open area, can see the decoy from long distances, I don't want him facing anywhere near me...they stop and look at where the decoy is looking in my experience. I don't want to get picked off, I'm on their level.
Lastly, I'd prefer to have the decoy set in an area where they are actually a bit startled when they see it. That's not common advice, but I don't want them to have an extended period of time to assess. I'd rather a quick decision because most likely they'll come in more aggressively in my experience.
Again, an open area here, unless approaching from the generational trail...they come in and circle downwind, so less than a 20yd shot in most cases. That, or they hang up because they've had more time to make a decision, and are more cautious.
Thinkin it through.
Thought you'd appreciate that JW ;?)
I'm back in the stand from two days ago, foggy morning, and have been set up for a bit here. Just as I was starting in another hunter on the lease to my S pulled into they're gate. They might push deer out and towards me, or the opposite direction...time will tell.
Kyle you would make my day if you put one on the ground today…good luck
P.S. Already had one forky come by early
Done for the morning shift, gonna go work the dog, saw one doe and fawn. Mike's hunting another of my spots nearby, not much action there either.
Appreciated fellas, and that's the most action I've heard of from anyone around here Travis...switch should flip soon though!
I'm N of Harper tonight, looked at setting up in three different spots, but I kept coming back to the wheat as my best option. NE wind is a tough one for me, probably should have headed to a different spot.
Nonetheless, there's a couple of good scrapes along the edges here, and some huge tracks, maybe this is it?
Kept second guessing myself, and cloud cover thinned out...couldn't take starring at that burning ball in the sky.
There's a bunch of springs out front here, and some really thick cover. I think some are coming from there to the wheat behind me now. If they come from the other bedding they'll wind me, but gotta take a chance.
Has to light up soon Matt, but glad to see you ain't wasting time!
Just had a doe & fawn come by, I see a flash behind them and it's a...
Forky, of course, getting comical now.
4pt came to decoy at last light, so things are looking up! Beautiful evening.
Well Mike was at my Attica spot last night and had all kinds of action, hot doe in there.
So I've got a special guest this morning, Easton...my buddy's son, and we're set up here hoping for the same. I got him to his stand 20min ago, knowing we'd make a bunch of noise and hoping things would settle by shooting light.
He's in a new stand we set on the creek a month ago, I'm around 300yds W of him.
Maybe...maybe...maybe....
Finally a somewhat mature buck sighting...out scent checking plum thickets S of me. No response to the grunt tube.
Wonder what he'll grow up to be?
We got down at 11, he's got to work this afternoon. Lots of action, said he was shaking so much he couldn't get any pictures...hope he never loses that feeling!
Back out, same stand as yesterday morning. Really wanted to hunt from a spot on the ground but it's just too quiet with these low winds...hard to get away with any movement.
Good travel route and 80ac of wheat to my E. Should be able to see the stand, in the gap of the tree on the right.
Sitting here baking in the sun and thought I heard a clash of antlers behind me. Saw a doe running E, then a smaller 8 and a bigger heavy 8/9. They're chasing her around 200yds S of me in the tmber now. Pic is the smaller buck.
Just had another doe come from NE getting chased by a white-horned younger 8/9 and a forky in the rear...crazy town
One of the younger bucks gave up and headed back N, worked over a cedar on his way
Just rattled in this up'n comer, will be a great buck if he can make it a couple more years
Ol'whitey swung buly from the West, so I've had them all come by but the heavy 8/9...and maybe...
I'm back in the same stand as last night, was headed for another but turned back for this'n. Two hot does, a bed at the base of my stand where one of the bucks last night stuck his head down in and "took it all in" for 2-3min. Also my best for a SE wind...if we had some West in the wind I'd have a lot more options.
A special thank you today to those who have served, and their families. I wouldn't have the opportunities afforded me without your sacrifices, we are forever in your debt.
8:16am...
Back to the usual suspects here, just two forkies here so far.
Good luck
Hope a good one swings by Ryan! I saw one fawn, after the forkies, I'm out.
I was going to put these first pics on Randy's thread, but I'll put them here to save him space. My brother headed to NE, for an upland hunt, Thursday night. My buddy was driving to meet him Fri night, to hunt the weekend, and hit this young buck at 65mph. Not sure if it's totaled yet, but quite a bit of damage to his 4wd Sprinter. Pretty hefty tow charge from McCook to Ft Collins.
If you've ever been to QSR, this is the main ramp, it's bad.
We fished QSR 40-50+ times this year but will not be renewing next year because of the ramp situation.
Supposedly there was a guy that was willing to extend the ramp in exchange of a years fishing and they wouldn't do it.
It's a beautiful place Rusty, just hope the BSA doesn't have to sell it off to cover the legal expenses from recent court rulings. Scott, that N ramp works, but it's a bear getting in/out.
I'm in early near Argonia again, but in a stand I haven't hunted yet this year. Shot my last buck out of this stand in 1974 ;?)
Beans didn't produce, went to insurance, and now he's drilled wheat over them. I'm here for two reasons...light and variable winds, but E or SE will work for this one and that's what is predicted. Secondly, I want to see if any ducks are using the area...might try something different in the morning.
For those of you at work...I salute you ;?)
Thanks bud! Had 3 bucks harassing a couple does several hundred yds E of me at first light. Not sure you can see them here, but they moved back E away from this farm.
Nothing but another forky, two does, and a cock since first light. Pretty cool spot though.
Settle down now.
Little shaver came right down the generational trail to my left...grow up dude.
Nothing moving here, out.
He's a cool buck, super heavy, this is him in 2021. Looks like he lost a point on the right, but G2 split. Not hunting that farm for a couple days, hopefully he pushes her back in there.
I rolled around to several spots this afternoon, just couldn't make up my mind with a SE wind. Got to Caldwell and it was more E than S, not taking chances yet.
So I'm at a different farm, haven't hunted this one yet either. I'm on the ground along a scrape line, but really not much action at the scrapes. Can't shoot one on the roll-out couch...gotta give'r a go
P.S. This hunt is taking place in the Bahamas this week...73° here
Marky-Mark, the funky buck, just crossed the cut beans...headed to other beans?
No other deer tonight, not a great spot, but they come through here occasionally. Think I'm done w/afternoon hunts until it cools down...twas brutal
I think I'd pull the string, but unlikely I'll see him in person again
Snuck into the backside on my spot near Caldwell, dead quiet going in. Need this wind to pick up and blow straight S please. Don't really know what's hanging out around here, but I have a camera on a scrape 30yds away, and I'll pull that card going out.
James, I'll probably wait til Friday, I can hunt it with a N or S wind, but any E is not great. Need to let the farmer finish his work first too.
Had a doe getting chased by a couple of forkies enter the wheat at top right corner here(no pic of deer). Then she about came out of her skin. Didn't blow, but turned back running like a banshee?
Look to my right and there's a rogue cow out on the wheat. This things been out of the fence for a couple weeks if not more. Sure hope it moves along little...
I tried rattling, mainly to see if I could scare the cow off, it just came closer. Meanwhile it brought in this young but tall 8. He did the same thing when he saw the cow, so I had to get down and run it off.
All better now.
Had a "lull" here and then I hear running down and back up the dry creek bed behind me...it's a young 5pt...boo
This trail leads on/off the property, they're around!
Hope you get a chance to fling one at him. Best of Luck!
Thanks JW, we'll see if he's still around this weekend when I get back in there. Hope I see as much action today as you Matt, I just like watchin them ;?)
I'm back at my spot near Attica, lots of rutting going on here over the weekend...hope there's still a hot one round here. I know where one is, at the entrance to the property there was a great young 10, bedded with a doe right on the county road. They went West, but ya never know where she'll end up...and he will follow.
Don't remember ever hunting this stand with a South wind, but maybe I need to change a bit of my thinking? Here we go...
Hope you get "in amongst'm" today Kyler!
Super quiet here, quail, roosters, and a few mallards sounding off but no deer moving yet. Don't know how anyone would want to live anywhere but here.
I agree 100%. My family has been in Kansas for over 150 years, and I intend to keep it that way. She may not be perfect, but I’ll be damned if I don’t love her!
I've seen all the other states, many multiple times, ain't got nothin on OZ.
Had a little broken up 5, and then a very young 8, pass East of me in the last 30min. Not really seeking, just fiddle fartin around.
No pics, but do you really want to see that?
Saw one more sweet 3pt...I'm out
Been slow everywhere. This weekend's cold front could get interesting.
New Day, new stand...well first sit in it this year. Near Caldwell again, but other end of farm from a couple days ago. Finally a little wind, so I brought the Boss...he's noisy! I usually wait for some West in the wind at this stand, but beggars cain't be choosers.
Was thinking on the drive down, besides the one old bruiser with the doe the other day(while driving), I've not seen what I would consider another mature deer? Things have certainly changed here in KS, and if we don't get rid of the failure piles it's only gonna get worse.
Keep after em Kyle, I hope to get back out thanksgiving weekend?
7:02am...
Heard some raking to the W, this guy working a scrape. Once he spotted the Boss he was on a string...bristled up and ready to throw down. He came in and hung out for 10min or so, then got downwind and didn't like the Boss anymore. Spun out, but didn't blow, and headed back West.
He had barely exited the field when #2 came in from the E. Meanwhile a forky had come up from the S and was just watching the show. Pretty good start.
Doe followed by a young tall 4pt came by about 15min ago. She hung out with the Boss for a bit and then moved on to the East. Then I see a bigger 8/9, he's working the scrape, I grunt...he doesn't look but takes off running N. Took me a second but I see a doe back in there and he after her. Shortly after, the 8 from earlier swings by again...where's granpa?
All better now, don't think I missed anything
At around 8:45, I had a doe with two fawns come out on the wheat S of me, the fawns ate and she came over and circled the Boss a couple times...look, he's just not interested. She was big-boned, but she had a good personality.
As she was heading back a funky 9+ came from the NW, I had to grunt a few times, and then do a snort-wheeze, but he came over and laid the Boss out!
At 9:20 I saw another buck causing the trail W of me, thought it was one from earlier. Grabbed the bino's and it's a much older/bigger 9. He notices the Boss, but hesitant, I grunt and snort-wheeze and he looks like he's coming but hangs up around 40yds. Finally moves off the the N, and circled me 150-200yds downwind...he gone
Pics here of the above interactions.
Whoa that is some pretty cool stuff there. Now was you going to shoot that last one and trying to get him closer?He looks mature enough for sure and I believe I would’ve shot if had the chance.
Got in a decent nap, pulled some cards, set up the decoy...re set up the decoy...set up the decoy a third time...wind is HOWLING, and I'm even using stakes.
Got him aligned with the wind now, I think I'm good. Cousin called me last night and he's done cutting. Was going to wait to hunt this farm until tomorrow with N wind, but I've got a good S wind observation stand. Let's see if that big 8 moved back home.
Jason is my new official "ball-handler" ;?)
Mike, I has a small window when he was at 40-42yds. Didn't grab the bow.
3:51pm...
Was texting a buddy just now, he knows who he is...and I see movement to the W. This guy popped out on the field edge and literally ran to the Boss.
I mighta got a little "Ragu" on him cause this guy got downwind and spun right back around. Would have been a 5yd shot if I was a shooter.
The third time I had to get down and re-set the Boss, I had to do a "Jerk chicken check-wipe". Tossed the TP into the wind hoping it would "float downstream" but nope...hung up on a limb.
So when I said cover scent earlier I meant it, and possibly a mock- stool, hopefully not a licking-branch
What I want to know is why every year when I have to head home that’s the time the action heats up. No matter if I leave early, mid, or late November I can look on these threads and deer start going wild.
Running around and knocking over decoys. That one is so excited it looks like he started hopping like a mule deer. You watch…here in a few minutes one will probably start a scrape under that toilet paper.
Kyler, let's get serious!
Speaking of scrapes, I've got them on both sides of the Boss, and another 100yds W with a camera that hasn't been checked in over a week. You might be able to see two of them here...
This is the stand Mike killed this great buck out of two yrs ago, it's a great spot.
P.S. This thread is going to be picture heavy, in case you didn't notice. Not sure I do other "parts" this year. If your phone can't keep up, get a new phone ;?)
We've had another fatality here
Two bucks came out, pushing a doe and young fawn. The bigger of the two bee-lined it to the Boss and knocked his block off!
At least five does straight S of the Boss, where's my buddy
Just had a special buck come up right underneath my stand. He's young, but what a start!
Back at the Bentley and that's a wrap. Did see another big bodied buck way S at last light, but couldn't make out what he was.
One of if not the best days I've ever had hunting WT without a "shot fired"...thanks for tagging along
Pretty cool huh Kyler, hope today is much of the same!
Got a text from Easton last night..."don't have to be to school until 12:30, can we go?". Why yes, yes we can, and we're set up again at my spot near Attica.
I knew what stand he was thinking about, we call it the East stand but I think I'm changing that to the Easton stand ;?)
Two Boss's in the house, he's got his and I've got mine. I took this pic to show that I always turn the ears down/back for more of an aggressive posture...and sometimes I put them on the opposite sides like here. Looks even more challenging, or possibly challenged...like he spent too much time down by the tri-methyl benzoid barrels?
Go
Here come da sun, had a small broken buck way S in the CRP, and then a doe with nothing in pursuit to the E so far.
Good look to y’all this morning!!!
Living vicariously through you guys this morning. My spouse is getting one of her infusions so no hunting for me this morning.
I'm afraid we're in the "deadzone" over here, Easton had a couple of little bucks come by early and I had the doe...nothing since.
Hope everything goes well at the doctor's, and safe travels Mike!
Gotta get the kid back back for class, he did see a good one following a doe around 9:25 but they went the opposite direction.
Well I wasn't for sure I'd hunt tonight, not a big fan of "blue bird days", but I got a wild hair.
Last night I saw a big bodied buck enter the cut beans from the opposite end of this 80. I couldn't tell what he was in the low light, but that entrance is only 100-150yds from where the big 8 was with the doe a few days ago.
So there's a line of round bales here, shade on my side, and I'm gonna give'r a go
Im in the stand not expecting to see much but I need some stress relief. Seen the same button buck I usually see thus far.
Whelp, best laid plans I think they say...these were not those. Saw a few doe's, and one tiny buck, but I was staring holes into that cover thinking he'd pop out any moment...not such a bad feeling really.
That old dude did a drive-by. Had to have been hard not to pop him! Cool buck!
Some brittle bucks here, and you should watch til the "end"
Thought y'all might find that humorous. I couldn't take it anymore, checked radar and it shows this stuff moving off N, so I'm set up on the farm where the big 8 has been livin. The key here is that I don't know if he's still livin?
I've got a camera in by where he bedded 2yrs ago, but don't want to go in there with a S wind of any kind. This is the stand I had the last decoy "blow up", and then 6-7 does come out the other night.
Huge bedding area left and S of me, there's a trail in front of this little cedar @ 25yds...and a scrape line all along the edge of the cut bean field out front.
Let's see what cometh
Had a feeling as soon as it let up they'd move, and I don't usually do "feelings".
This 8 just came through behind me, pic doesn't do him justice. Not a buck I'm shooting but nice to see another mature buck.
Bottom pic JW
Then I look up and this guy is running towards the broken off spike in front. Gets closer and realizes "he's not his type"...grabs a few bites of beans and he's on the run again.
Had him broadside at 30, and then 17
Gosh dang the action is getting good.
Things went dead after that guy left, the others went back to bedding area. They're filtering out again niw...both ends of the field.
I'm counting eight doe's/fawns, and BTW the radar was wrong...still misting fairly heavily here. I'm in my waterfowl stuff, so no big deal, but no big camera and it's going to have to be a slam dunk if I take a shot in this stuff.
Just does & dink's for the last hour
Bit of a debacle here, started into my spot near Attica and didn't think the creek had risen as much. Had to return to the truck and get my "ground gear" to stay on this side. Never hunted from this spot before, and I'm pretty exposed, but it's gonna have to do for tonight.
Easton was in here this morning and had a lot of chasing, there's at least one hot doe that came around/through. Really not expecting much, but sometimes those are the best hunts.
I'm on the SW bank of a creek, and it's the same crossing at 20yds where I missed a buck on the last evening of '23(was on the N side of the trail that night).
Lee, it was worth it for me last night, and personally I stayed dry...my gear on the other hand had to all be brought in and dried.
They generally travel this trail, but it's the rut stupid...they're making new trails chasing tails
Single doe & fawn, directly across the creek from me...30yds, but can't see anything in tow
Ha! This was one of those hunts where you get there and you're like ya know ya don't have to stay right?
Saw nothing else, and no you can't have my lottery #'s
Maybe a strange time to get set up, but wanted to make sure the deer here were all off the beans and back in the timber.
At the farm where the big 8 was livin, if he's still livin. Probably can't see them, but several trails converge about 22yds N of me here, and it's a "pinch" .hoping bucks will be taking these along the S side of bedding/timber scent checking.
Brought the decoy, but didn't set it up, might this afternoon.
Dave, that had to be fun to watch, hope I get into a bit of that today!
Young 8, with one side busted off. Just came through doing what he oughta
Well #2 just came through, young 6
Left at 12:45, and was back at 2, finally caught some movement coming from the W along one of the trails. It's a fawn and I thought for sure something would be following...nosir
Had a different really nice 8 dogging a doe 250yds N of me on other side of river 30min ago. Then some does started filtering out on the beans to my E 10min ago.
I see a flash of white trotting down the main trail towards me from the NE...it's ol'busted buck from this morning, and he kept going W on a mission?
Well I wasn't on the "X", not sure I was even on the why?
Did have 3-4 bucks chasing doe's out in front of the stand I was in a couple nights ago in the rain. Pretty sure one was the 8 I'd seen chasing on the other side.
One cool thing, and I've noticed many times before, is that the cedar I was sitting in/under was like an airport at dark. I'd compare them to "Hotel's", where all the song birds check in at dark...perty neat
Saw 7 does and fawns and 2 bucks this afternoon/evening. Interesting thing about the bucks is one was at least a 3 year old and had and nice 5 point side and a 4” spike on the other. The other buck was younger and only had one antler, when he came closer I got the glasses on him and he didn’t even have a pedicle on the other side??? I’m a magnet for weird bucks, must be the KU football fan in me or something. Lol
Been set up for a bit hear at my spot near Caldwell, already had two doe's and a fawn cruise by on the trail W of me...nothing in pursuit.
Will most likely wait to post any pics as I literally have to stand with my phone stretched out above my head for 10min...Statue of Liberty stuff.
Haven't been in here since I had all the decoy action the other morning. Hoping a mature buck or two have moved in, LOTS of doe's down here.
G
O
That's encouraging! Not happening here yet, three doe's out on wheat to my S, but haven't seen anything else other than the three when I got here...and they might be the same ones.
Not tonight, had a little 6 go by at last light, and a covey under the stand...there's at least half a dozen in this pic.
May you all have a Happy Thanksgiving with your families...lots to be thankful for.
Keep Bumpkiss's dogs away from your bird! Fa ra ra ra ra...ra ra ra rahh
If you can turn this up you'll hear them communicating, it's constant.
