Jay's Ohio hunting adventure
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: JayG@work
04-Nov-18
Well I got out to camp yesterday afternoon. Kelly's dad and cousin were out there and it was great to see them. They told me that there was a lot of trees down on the trails, so as soon as was possible, I grabbed my chainsaw and went out to check my stands and put out game cameras. I got a couple done and ran out of light, so instead of going out in the morning unprepared, I decided to sleep in and finish in the morning. I did that and spent the morning hanging out with Don, Kelly's dad and just visiting with him. It feels very strange with Kelly not here. So this afternoon I got out my bow and even though my draw is totally jacked up, I can get it back, so I am going to hunt with that until something happens to where I have to use my crossbow. My surgery is scheduled for a couple days after I get home from here, so once that is done, hopefully I will be able to raise my arm and then get my shoulder fixed. I hope to be able to not need the crossbow for many many years,, but we will see. Anyhow, it is a beautiful day to be in the woods. Wish me luck. Good bless you all.
From: GLP
04-Nov-18
Good luck!! Keep us up to date with info. Greg
From: Hawkeye
04-Nov-18
Good luck!
From: Southern draw
04-Nov-18
Good luck!
From: WV Mountaineer
04-Nov-18
Good luck man
From: Bou'bound
04-Nov-18
Go get em jay
From: RK
04-Nov-18
GOOD LUCK JAY !!! RK
From: standswittaknife
04-Nov-18
Will be watching
From: BigOk
04-Nov-18
Good luck!!!
From: JayG@work
04-Nov-18
I just had 3 does come in. Two of the does were within 20 yards. The other one, I have no idea how she got in, started blowing, towards the other ridge. They all took off. So as of now, no bucks, but it is only the first day of the hunt I am optimistic.
From: Bou'bound
04-Nov-18
Being optimistic on the first day of a hunt in the rut makes sense. You will do well jay
From: Medicinemann
04-Nov-18
Jay, Keep your nose in the wind and good luck!!
From: Medicinemann
04-Nov-18
Jay, Keep your nose in the wind and good luck!!
From: JayG@work
04-Nov-18
I just had 3 does come in. Two of the does were within 20 yards. The other one, I have no idea how she got in, started blowing, towards the other ridge. They all took off. So as of now, no bucks, but it is only the first day of the hunt I am optimistic...... So I got a text from Jason, Kelly's cousin. He asked if I could help him recover a deer he shot. I went over there and helped him bring out what is probably, the dominant button buck for the area. Lol you could throw it over your shoulders and wear it like a stole. Pretty funny. It's going to be some nice jerky.
From: midwest
04-Nov-18
Awesome that you're there, Jay....best of luck!
From: JayG@work
05-Nov-18
So day two of the trip. It rained last night and the woods are really quiet. Jason just had an 8 point go past him. He is hunting out of the same stand that he shot the snack sized button buck from yesterday. This evening it's supposed to be raining with high winds. It's not supposed to let up until tomorrow late morning. We'll have to see what happens then, but as of now, it is nice. A nice peaceful day to be in the woods.
From: T Mac
05-Nov-18
Hey Jay best of luck. You know kelly’s looking down smiling. Hope you get a crack at a nice 114 bob
From: Habitat for Wildlife
05-Nov-18
Good luck to all of you.
From: Paul@thefort
05-Nov-18
Jay, lots to think about while in the stand, of past hunts. Good luck. my best , Paul
From: JayG@work
05-Nov-18
Jason just texted me and said that he shot a big buck. He said he had a huge blood trail and then it just stopped. He wants me to go help track it.... This is what Kelly and I used to do whenever anyone couldn't find a deer. We were the ones who would find them. Damn... Well I guess I will just leave all my stuff here in the tree and go help Jason. I'll be back up here in the afternoon.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
05-Nov-18
Keep us posted and good luck!
From: Mule Power
05-Nov-18
Track em down Jay. Best of luck today and all week.
From: Timbrhuntr
05-Nov-18
Maybe Kelly's up there sending the deer out for others to shoot so you have to go track them and laughing his butt off ! Good luck on the hunt !
From: JayG@work
05-Nov-18
Well we found him. A very nice buck. The G-2s are about 10-11 inches long. Nice mass too...... I just keep seeing does... What rut?? Lol
From: EmbryOklahoma
05-Nov-18
Best of luck Jay!
From: midwest
05-Nov-18
Sa-weet!
From: T Mac
05-Nov-18
Awesome your chance will happen!
From: JayG@work
06-Nov-18
Stick n string, at times there was little to no blood, but you see by the gait of the deer that it was hurting. Where there was no blood I just stayed on it's track. On the flat ground, there was little but on the hills, it was dumping. Not to get too wrapped up in the trail, just let me say this. Shoot heavier arrows, if a deer is on full, consider the distance before you shoot. A deer reacts a lot faster than most people believe.... On an interesting note, when I would lose the track, I would ask Kelly where the deer went. Invariably, as soon as I did that, I would see the next sign. It was funny.
From: JayG@work
06-Nov-18
Okay, next afternoon, go vote. Lol So this morning I didn't go out. It rained stupidity hard last night and I think they said we got like 3 inches in 5 hours. My alarm went off and I heard it still raining, which I found odd, because it was supposed to have ended by then. I opened the door to the trailer and saw that it did stop raining, and the dripping I was hearing was the leak in my roof. Sununabitz!! So I ended up going to Lowe's instead of the woods. I got the trailer squared away, so now I am out. The stand I am hunting is one that Kelly showed me where to set up. It has been my best stand but this past summer there were a lot of wind storms that blew down a bunch of trees. There are a lot of trees down right around this stand and I am afraid that I may be too exposed. We'll see. I'm going to hunt it tonight and tomorrow and then I will see how the deer react..
From: Boreal
06-Nov-18
Good luck!
From: Carcajou
06-Nov-18
Jay, I am enjoying your hunt so far, after meeting you at your place last year and seeing your vids of the bucks you were seeing/shooting, I know you are in a great spot. Love it down there, Good luck, shoot straight
From: bowhunter24
06-Nov-18
Jay was Jason's buck shot in the neck? Wasn't sure from the picture. Kelly was definitely in my thoughts last weekend for my first hunt. We will have cold temps and possible snow this Thursday here in MO maybe it will make it your way as well good luck, kill a big old 114!
From: JayG@work
07-Nov-18
So this morning I slipped in to my stand about 25 minutes before shooting light. Everything was and still is perfect..... Except for the fact that there are no deer moving. I don't know what is going on. This stand is usually the stand where I see most of the activity,, but it has been dead. I'm going to spend the day here and .... Crap,, just had a coyote come by and couldn't get my phone put away fast enough to get a shot... Anyhow, I'm spending today here. If nothing happens,, it's on to plan B.
From: Rut Nut
07-Nov-18
Good luck Jay- sounds like Kelly is right there with you! ;-)
From: GLP
07-Nov-18
Keep at it. I am enjoying following along. Greg
From: Brotsky
07-Nov-18
Good luck Jay! The best thing about this time of year is things can change in the blink of an eye and often do!
From: Bou'bound
07-Nov-18
Keeping us informed is more important than shooting a coyote any day
From: JayG@work
07-Nov-18
So I'm back at it, I got down around 1145 and ate some lunch, changed boots and socks and am in the stand again. While I was down I also checked the election results and can't believe the people of NYC were stupid enough to elect a Socialist to Congress after seeing how bad it is having one as mayor.. I guess you can't fix stupid.. This is the reason Northern NY wants to secede from the lower. Anyhow, it's a beautiful day and the winds are good.. Nothing like the 35 MPH gusts we were getting yesterday. Maybe something big will come by... Hopefully something will happen. Lol
From: JayG@work
07-Nov-18
So I'm back at it, I got down around 1145 and ate some lunch, changed boots and socks and am in the stand again. While I was down I also checked the election results and can't believe the people of NYC were stupid enough to elect a Socialist to Congress after seeing how bad it is having one as mayor.. I guess you can't fix stupid.. This is the reason Northern NY wants to secede from the lower. Anyhow, it's a beautiful day and the winds are good.. Nothing like the 35 MPH gusts we were getting yesterday. Maybe something big will come by... Hopefully something will happen. Lol
From: Jack Harris
08-Nov-18
Good luck Jay. Glad Kelly was able to assist on that recovery. Been a slow rut for bucks in nj. This is the time of year I hope to see does. Well every day I am covered in them. Never seen so many. And nothing is bothering them. This past monday was only day I saw a mature buck in nearly two weeks of vacation.
From: JayG@work
08-Nov-18
So nothing happened yesterday,,, and I mean NOTHING.. I left all my stuff in the tree and came back this morning. I got in about 30 minutes before shooting light. I was moving slowly because I had on a couple extra layers. It was pretty cold this morning and I didn't want to get sweated up. After not seeing anything for the first couple hours, I had a small 8 come through. I got a couple pics and as soon as started to text Jason, a bigger one came through. No pictures of that one though because my bow was in my hands. He was close, but he got to walk... Maybe next year.... So selfies are fun. Look down along my arm
From: JayG@work
08-Nov-18
Damn, didn't add the picture
From: JayG@work
08-Nov-18
Another one of the little guy
From: Bigpizzaman
08-Nov-18
Good Luck
From: JayG@work
08-Nov-18
Well I went in for lunch, it got really slow. Don, Kelly's dad, told Jason, Kelly's cousin to take me out and show me some more places to hunt. I have been hunting here for 9 years and I haven't seen it all. I have pretty much stayed in my area and learned it well. Anyhow, we were poking around and we went past this stand and I instantly recognized it at the first place that Kelly put me when he had me out as a guest all those years ago. I teared up right then,,, as I am now just remembering that. My God I miss him...... Anyhoo, I am back up in my tree. Winds are picking up and a front with rain is supposed to be coming tonight and tomorrow, followed by a drastic drop in temperature. This may be the start of something big. We'll have to see. .... . So as I was getting myself settled, in the distance I heard a buck popping. If you're never heard it, it is pretty interesting. It starts off with series of low ticks, almost like a woodpecker and gets faster until it turns to a gutteral grunt.. pretty cool stuff.. I tried grunting back but nothing... Maybe something will in a few minutes.
From: JayG@work
08-Nov-18
So tonight ended very interestingly. I had a decent 8 point come in. I am hunting on the head of a draw with really steep sides so the deer use the head to go from one side to the other. It is an awesome choke point. Anyhow, I think that I screwed up. Once the 8 point that came in went behind me, about 5 minutes later, I heard some walking. I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw the 8 point, so I turned my attention to the other side of the hill. I glanced back at the 8 point and that was when I realized, this wasn't the same 8 point. This one was bigger. I watched him for about 3 minutes as he checked the area for does, made a scrape and all. The whole time, I was thinking, "maybe I should shoot him". So I pulled out my binoculars and took a really good look at the deer. By the time I figured that I was going to shoot him, I didn't have a good angle. So he walked. He was,,, I don't know. I really sucks at the whole scoring thing, so I have no idea. I do know that he was standing in front of my game camera for about 5 minutes so I know I have a couple pictures of him at least. Maybe we can do a guest my score thing with no real right answer because the deer is still out walking.. Anyhow, later, as the sun was setting, I had two does come out of the cut to my right and graze in my direction. I was so intent on them that when I went to stand up to shoot, I failed to see the other doe that was coming in from a different direction. She started blowing. All three of them took off and headed over the ridge with their tails flying. I was thinking, Sunumabitz!! So I went to sit back down, a deer,, sounded like a big deer, just blew and galloped off. I used that term because that is what horses do. When it ran off, it sounded like a horse. Unreal.... It was so utterly unexpected that my scentlock suit almost got filled with my excitement. What a day. It went from zero to ninety MPH pretty quick. I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
From: JayG@work
09-Nov-18
If you were going to hunt today you would need to be one of these guys.
If you were going to hunt today you would need to be one of these guys.
Well this morning is a write off. it started raining at about midnight and it's been raining steadily all the way until now which is about noon time. It is supposed to taper off and stop within the next hour or so. Perhaps I will make it out this afternoon. I took this opportunity to go get a shower at the truck stop in town go to IHOP and go grocery shopping so it's not a complete loss. I have a couple of different options to hunt so we'll see what happens with the weather. One thing I'm not going to do is go sit out in the rain and get pneumonia. Not only that but if I hit one and didn't kill it right away blood trailing in the rain is no fun and hunting is supposed to be fun.. I hope everybody is having a great season. Wish me luck...
From: drycreek
09-Nov-18
Interesting and entertaining thread Jay. Don't second guess that 8 point too much, you're only the about the millionth guy to do that. Kelly wants you to get a bigger one anyhow. Good luck on the rest of your hunt.
Oh.....if Paul@theFort were there, he would skewer those ducks and have 'em for supper :-)
From: CAS_HNTR
09-Nov-18
I wimped out and didn't hunt this am either. In the stand now.....rain stopped and deer should be up.
From: JayG@work
09-Nov-18
So I'm out on a different ridge that Jason showed me yesterday. The rain has finally stopped. I got in late, but my main objective was to get my gear set up for the morning. I am in a cherry tree, about 25 feet up, right on the side of the clear cut. The deer bed and use it for cover during the day and then at night, go down to the fields below. Hopefully something will happen.
From: Mule Power
09-Nov-18
Following your thread Jay. Last time I hunted there it was so thick I told Kelly that a herd of elk and Bigfoot could be hiding out in the thickets and nobody would know. Has that stuff grown up at all and thinned out? Lots of country on that lease. Are there still any hogs around?
From: JayG@work
10-Nov-18
So, here I am in my climber, sitting on a saddle. The winds are... Well, let's just say, high. In fact, stupidity high,,,, but at least it's cold. So I got out this morning and got set up. I came in slow because I was dressed pretty heavily and didn't want to get sweated up. I got up to my stuff which I left in the tree last night. I got settled and about a half hour later, I heard a strange noise about 80 yards to my right. There was a herd of pigs about 15-20 strong and a couple were really big. I would guess over 400 lbs. Anyhow, I was going to shoot one if they came in, but they didn't. Then about an hour later, a doe was walking on the ridge and at about 60 yards, caught wind of me and bolted. Then about an hour after that, I had a real good buck going up the other ridge. I grunted to him but he probably couldn't hear anything because of the roar of the wind. It is crazy. I'm heading down in about a half hour. I'm frozen.
From: JayG@work
10-Nov-18
So,,, I went back to camp for a couple hours to thaw out. While I was up in my stand, I was shivering something fierce. While I was shivering, I looked over to my left really far, and during one of my shivers, I blew my back out. It hurt so much, and, I found that I couldn't draw my bow. So anyhow, long story short, I took out my crossbow this afternoon. I know, I know,, Bowsite, I get it, and if you are offended, go ahead and stop reading and just flame away..... Anyhow, I was sitting trying to stay as still as possible so as to not mess my back up any more. The winds started to subside and with the sun on my back, it felt downright balmy,,, in a still below freezing sort of way. So then the sun started to get low and I heard movement from down below me in the valley. I heard hoofs splashing in the creek, and then a nice doe appeared from the creek about 60 yards away. It came straight up the hill towards the saddle that I was in, so I had no shot. She walked in and started to bust at about,, well, straight down under me... I guess one of my hot hands dropped from my pocket and it smelled it. She ran off to 18 yards quartering away. You couldn't ask for a better angle, so I shot her. She ran off and laid down 60 yards from where I shot her. She is a big doe. The shot was perfect and she died quickly. I offered God a prayer of thanks, got down and got her dressed... I texted a couple guys back at camp and they came up and helped me get my gear and deer loaded up and back to camp.......bso okay, a shameless plug.. somehow, my string came off the cam. I called around but it was around 8:00 pm on a Saturday night and nobody was open. Jason told me to go on Facebook and look up a shop and message them with my predicament.. I got messaged back almost immediately. The guy told me to come in and he would hook me up,, tonight. So I went in to Detty Outdoors in Chillicothe and Nathan Hatton fixed me right up.. so here I am in the I HOPE eating a massive omelette and relating my afternoon to you. I hope you all are having a great season. Be well and be safe.
From: WV Mountaineer
10-Nov-18
Congrats on some great eating.
From: BigOk
10-Nov-18
Congrats
From: standswittaknife
10-Nov-18
Thx for posting and i hope you can not only kill a good one but get your back to work with you!
From: Bou'bound
11-Nov-18
excellent Jay great job
From: GLP
11-Nov-18
Better to hunt with a crossbow than not hunt at all. Enjoying following along. Greg
From: midwest
11-Nov-18
Yum! Congrats!
From: JayG@work
11-Nov-18
I don't know why the picture didn't attach.
From: JayG@work
11-Nov-18
So I went and got my doe dropped off at the guy up the road who processes deer and stuias we were heading down to the main road, there was a nice 10 point trotting parallel to it.. it was just out there running,, broad daylight. One of the guys in the camp said he saw 4 different bucks, and two of them were shooters.. Things are picking up for sure. Hopefully something will decide to come by here.
From: JayG@work
12-Nov-18
Back up in the tree. This morning has been a decent morning. I got in to the stand and was set up quickly. I left everything in place last night so all I had to do was clib up and make a few minor adjustments and I was good to go. I was set for about 45 minutes and had a six point come in. He meandered around the head of the draw and walked down in to the valley. Then about 20 minutes ago, he came back up. I was watching him and didn't even see the spike that was with him until he was about 10 yards away. They both sort of moved through and went over the saddle and into the cut next to me. I am hoping that something big comes through. I know that the situation can change in the blink of an eye, but man,, seeing no shooters within range for over a week now really sucks. In fact, I have only seen one deer that I would consider a shooter while hunting, and it was the better part of 100 yards away. Usually I would see a buck that I would consider a shooter every day. Not this year I guess... The wierd thing is that since Kelly is gone, it seems not right. I mean, here it is, the peak of the rut, in Ohio, in good whitetail country, and I am the only one here, hunting today. When Kelly was here, the camp would be full.. it just seems odd to me. So anyhow, if I shoot one, it is going to have to be a slam dunk shot since I'm the only one here. It is going to have to drop quickly because I don't know how I will get one out if it goes in the cut. A couple of the guys said to call them if I get one and they will come help,,,, but they are all a couple hours away. I would feel bad doing that. Okay, time to listen and be at one with the woods.
From: WV Mountaineer
12-Nov-18
Bro, look at the good in life. Don’t worry about the doubts. The Good Lord wants you to enjoy your time here. Don’t let anything take that away from you.
As far as the help, there is only one thing fellow hunters would rather do instead of shoot something. And that is help a buddy who did shoot something. They offered, take them up On it if need be. If they can, I’m a state away and can be there pretty quick. Now, stay in and kill one. Nothing would seal this hunt better then giving it your all. Good luck and God Blesd
From: Mule Power
12-Nov-18
Did you text Kelly and tell him thanks? I still shoot him texts once in awhile.
From: midwest
12-Nov-18
Jay, get some good game bags. Break the deer down gutless where he falls, hang the bags, pack it out in as many trips as you need. I killed 2 deer last Saturday morning back in on some rough public ground. Took my time and enjoyed the process of taking them out solo.
From: JayG@work
12-Nov-18
Midwest, that was sort of my plan. I figured that I would just quarter it out. I've never done that before but I think I could figure it out. So, a news flash.. it is now snowing/sleeting. It was funny, you could feel that it was getting ready to start. It sorta smelled like it. I figure that I'll stay here for a while longer and then go make a sammich. Maybe a soup and sammich.
From: JayG@work
13-Nov-18
Oh well. I spent yesterday afternoon out in my most productive stand and saw NOTHING. I was pretty bummed out about that. Don went out and he has in the same boat. The woods were dead yesterday. I started pulling my game cameras because I am going to pull up stakes and head home tomorrow. I have some stuff I need to attend to before I get my surgery next Tuesday, so since nothing at all is happening here, I may as well take off.... So I pulled the game camera from down in the valley that I used to see lots of deer in, but it is such a pain in the ass to get to, that I didn't hunt it this trip.... Well you can guess what was on the SD card... Lots of daylight buck activity. There was one that looks pretty nice, I am wondering if it is the same one that I passed on earlier. Anyhow, I am going to head down there today. I am going to stay down there for as long as I can . I am not really motivated to do an all day sit because after that, I am going to have to pack and start loading out... Wish me luck..
From: pa10point
13-Nov-18
Nothing better than a last day last minute buck. Good luck today.
From: midwest
13-Nov-18
Good luck!
From: T Mac
13-Nov-18
Good luck Jay!
From: Bou'bound
13-Nov-18
good luck drive and hunt safely.
From: Fauntleroy
13-Nov-18
Sounds like a hell of a good time. Glad to see you keeping this one going. Thanks!
From: Hunts_with_stick
13-Nov-18
good luck!
From: JayG@work
13-Nov-18
Well today was an interesting day for sure. I got up at 0500 to go out hunting. The weather report said that it was supposed to stop snowing and raining at 0300 in the morning, so I thought, "last day, get on out there and get one". So I got up, looked outside and it was in fact not snowing... so I got all my morning ritual done, oatmeal, coffee, teeth brushed, get dressed,and etc. In the Army we had the 3 Ss, S#!t Shower and Shave. I just do one of those,, guess which one. :-). Anyhow, then got on my 4-wheeler and headed up the hill to go down into the valley where I've been seeing big deer several years ago and not in the last year so.. plus my knees and hips are starting to go. When I first got on the lease, I used to walk in from the top, about 1/3 of a mile and drop down the ridge, which is so steep, that if you go down on a four wheeler, you just lock up the brakes and slide down the whole hill. It's about 400 feet high. Anyhow, I used to go in for the morning, walk out for lunch and then go back down in the afternoon. A couple years ago I started driving around and parking at the base of a different ridge and walking in from there. I didn't go down there this year except to put out a game camera, because to drive down, you have to go right past my main stand,, which didn't produce any big buck sightings.. so I drive down to the bottom and wouldn't you know it? As soon as I got down to where I was going to park my wheeler it started raining and snowing. I checked the weather and it said it was going to stop in 23 minutes so I figured "okay I'll just wait in the stand". So 23 minutes later I checked the weather and it said it was going to be snowing for another 76 minutes. Sunumabitz!! So I figured I'll gut this out and wait. So after about a half hour or so I was getting thoroughly soaked and I checked out the weather again and it said it was going to be snowing and raining for another 120 minutes. 120 minutes??? WTF is up with that??my Afterg totally soaked and cold and spending two and a half hours up in that tree with nothing happening I said screw this. I got down and came back to camp to dry out. I started packing my stuff up and took a little nap too. That was a good thing. Sitting in the cold rain and snow takes it out of you. Anyhow, once my stuff was dry, I went back out to it at around 1400,, that's 2:00 pm for all the non-military guys.... And when I say guys, that also means women as well.(I need to be PC and all inclusive don't you know) so I went out and the winds were coming from three different directions at once, which is a phenomenon that I've only found here in Ohio. I still can't figure it out. How can winds coming from the West mysteriously shift and come from the South the North and then blow to the East for a little while just for good measure? It isn't supposed to be possible, but it happens here all the time. Anyhow about 1500 I had two bucks that I got on game camera, (when I get back to New York I will load them up to show you.) Anyhow the Deer were coming down the ridge and I don't know whether they saw me smelled me or what but they started blowing and took off. Then right before it started getting dark I had one big deer.. I didn't see it I just heard it start blowing at me coming down the valley.. so that ended my hunting for the past week and a half. This is been one of the coldest dampest trips I've ever been on. I feel blessed to have been able to get that doe. That's going to make some tasty meals this coming winter. I'm happy I was able to take one more trip here before my surgery. I also I'm glad that I got to spend some time in the places that Kelly and I shared together. I was thinking about him a lot. I miss him and his company. I still can't believe it... Damn.. So, right now I'm packing up my stuff and cleaning out the trailer, and thinking about how I'm going to move my stands this summer to where I can maximize the deer activity for next fall. You got to always be thinking. Lol. Tomorrow I have to go pick up my doe, load and hook up my trailer and head back to the land of left wing loonies and communists. Oh joy. I will deal with it though because I have an appointment with a Big Ohio Buck, maybe a 114" next Nov.
From: JayG@work
13-Nov-18
Are we having fun yet?
Are we having fun yet?
From: sticksender
13-Nov-18
Enjoyed your posts, thanks!
From: midwest
14-Nov-18
Thanks for taking us along, Jay! Enjoy your venison.
From: GLP
14-Nov-18
Thanks for taking us along. Hope surgery goes well. Greg
From: Bou'bound
14-Nov-18
Great trip and thanks for sharing. You know Kelly was watching!
From: Southern draw
14-Nov-18
Enjoyed your hunt story !
From: Beav
14-Nov-18
Enjoyed following along! Thanks!
From: JayG@work
14-Nov-18
So my trailer is cleared out all cleaned up I'm packed and loaded up and on my way back to Upstate New York. In about 10 hours I should be pulling into my snow-covered driveway ready to get back to life as usual. Even though hunting here is very arduous... The getting up and at it early every morning. The staying on stand late and even just the little things like wiping your butt with ice cold wipes in the morning takes its toll. Lol but I do have to tell you it is a great time and a great experience. The Haunting here is the hardest I've ever seen anywhere that I've been.... And deer do look up. Lol so on Tuesday I have my neck surgery to fuse my C 4 5 6 to relieve pressure so hopefully I'll be able to raise my arm and pull my Bow again.. I'm also going to need shoulder surgery to fix torn rotator cuff tendons but that's another thing coming down the pike. On my way out I saw Don, Kelly's dad's brother or Uncle Larry come up the road and we visited for a little bit. Just a great bunch of folks out here. So every morning I would go outside and sit for a little while, and while I was sitting I would see this little message. I would think about it and just kind of smile. Kelly was here... Yes he was and the world was a better place because of it. God bless you brother I miss you.
From: Highlife
14-Nov-18
Jay thanks for your story good luck with your surgery
From: lewis
14-Nov-18
So the 114 lives on who knows he might be a 115 next year. I missed a lot of your posts as I was hunting in Tn with a whole lot of the same conditions but did enjoy catching up.Good buddies especially hunting buddies are almost irreplaceable.Lewis
From: Brotsky
14-Nov-18
Thanks for sharing your hunt with us Jay! I know a lot of folks have taken Kelly with them a lot of places this fall. It's good to see he's back home as well. God bless.
From: otcWill
14-Nov-18
Good stuff. Thanks for posting and keeping a bowsite brother's memory alive. Drive safe
From: BigOk
14-Nov-18
Thanks for sharing.
From: BOWNUT
14-Nov-18
Thanks Jay.
From: patience2spare
15-Nov-18
Thanks for taking us along, Jay! Still so sorry for your loss in Kelly's passing! I can feel the void you have from missing his camaraderie on this hunt. My continued condolences to the entire Harris family. Pete
From: JayG@work
15-Nov-18
So.. I made it home safely and am getting my stuff cleaned up put away. I pulled some of the pictures from my game cameras and so now I have a question for you all. Did I screw up by not shooting this buck. I had a nice 8 point in front of me for about 5 minutes. I am not sure but I think that the other pictures are of the same buck just down at the bottom of the valley. So check it out. Did I screw up by now shooting him and just out of curiosity, how big do you figure he is?
From: JayG@work
15-Nov-18
Here he is in the bottom
From: JayG@work
15-Nov-18
And another
From: midwest
15-Nov-18
114!
From: JayG@work
15-Nov-18
Just cool pics
From: Inshart
15-Nov-18
Never get tired of looking at deer, doing what deer do.
That last pic looks like an older deer.
From: JayG@work
20-Nov-18
So here I am, heading home after getting my surgery. The recovery is going to suck. But I have a wonderful woman that is going to be helping me.
From: standswittaknife
20-Nov-18
Best of luck jay.. one day at a time, one step at a time.. no i don’t think you made a mistake passing on that buck by the way.. fwiw
From: BigOk
20-Nov-18
Good luck with your recovery.
From: bowhunter24
21-Nov-18
Good luck Jay, you got this!
From: Bou'bound
21-Nov-18
Good luck m the recovery. Follow doctors orders.
If you have to ask others if you lad a mistake passing you did. You shot or nothing better. He was yours and you let him go. If you were not questionng it you’d be right .......but your your doubt is the litmus test.
He will be bigger next year if he survives gun season. Get him then.
From: buc i 313
25-Nov-18
Jay,
Thanks for this years hunt. It was great to spend time with you and Jason.
I really appreciate all of the help you two gave to me as this year was especially difficult for me emotionally due to Kelly's, passing. My physical difficulties and limitations were/are not important compared to his passing.
I treasure your friendship and the companionship you helped to provide for me during this very difficult hunting season.
Good luck to one of the best "good guy's" on your recovery, and God speed to you and Holly.
Don / buc i 313
